they are hungry for guidance and nurturing and all those things that all children want. our unwillingness to provided to them is a reflection of the way in which these narratives have emerged. we had these people in the 1980's talking about how some children are not children, they look like, they talk like kids, but these are not children. these criminologists say they are super predators. we use that term to generalize, then we turned it into law. we lower the age of trying children as adults. we created a world where we now have 250,000 people in adult jails and prisons who are convicted of crimes when they were children. we put 10,000 children in adult

jails and prisons. we have some 3000 kids who have been sentenced to die in prison. what is a country like america doing when it sends 13-year-old and 14 your children to die in prison? the united states and somalia are the only two countries in the world that have not signed the covenant on the rights of the child. we will not sign it because of prevents the death penalty. we ought to be ashamed. it becomes necessary for us to demand something more hopeful from our government than that they just throw kids away. we build these schoolhouse to jailhouse pipelines. we've got to demand more. we have to do it with that kind of hope that all of these revolutionary leaders -- it's not pie in the sky stuff. the kind of folk you need to create just is an orientation of the spirit. we need hopeful people to go to

those hopeless places and be a witness. >> yes. >> my favorite story in this book is when we were finally -- had all this -- it was finally time to go to court. the black community is so demoralized by what they had seen and what they have experienced -- i was shocked when we got to court the first day. all of these people of color showed up. they all came into the courtroom. we show the tapes and the witnesses admitted it was false. when i went home that night, i remember seeing hope growing in that community.

i came back the next day and i saw this people of color sitting outside the courtroom. i could not understand it. i went over to the community leaders and asked them why they were outside the courtroom. they said they were not allowed inside the courtroom. i walked over to the deputy sheriff and said i want to go into the courtroom. he said you can't commit. i said i think i have to come in. they open the door. they changed everything around and put that metal detector inside the door. behind that metal detector they put a german shepherd that was just sitting there. it was half filled with people that the prosecution brought in.

i was so angry and went to the judge and said, this is not fair that you did not let by people come into the court. >> he said, well your people to set to get here earlier tomorrow. i was angry. i went to the community leaders and said, it's not fair. they said, that's ok, we will be here earlier tomorrow. they started identifying people to the witnesses. they identify this older black woman, ms. williams, we want you to be one of the represent is in court today. -- one of the representatives in court today. she had a compact. she took it out. i watched her. she walked over to the door. i was inside the courtroom. i saw her walk through the door with such pride and dignity. she held her head up high and walked to that metal detector, and then she saw that dog. she saw that dog, you could see the fear paralyze her. she was trembling. i saw her shoulders sag in tears started running down her face. i stood there watching her. i heard her groan loudly and watched her turn around as she ran up the courtroom, a painful thing. other people made it into the court that day. i had forgotten all about it. when i was going to my car tonight, she was still sitting outside. she said, i feel so bad. i let everybody down today. i said, it's ok. it's not your fault. they should not have done what they did.

she said, no, i was meant to be in the courtroom. i couldn't do it. i failed. she started crying. i said, it's ok. you should not worry about this. she said, no, i was meant to be in the courtroom. then she said, when i saw that dog, all i could think about was selma, alabama. i remembered how we march for the right to vote. i wanted to move, i tried to move, but i couldn't do it. she walked away with tears running down her face. the next day, i went to court. when she got home that night, she did not talk to anybody. they could see her play all night long. she said, lord, i cannot be scared of a dog. she called the community leaders and said she wanted to be a witness again. she wanted to be a representative again on the trip from the house to the courthouse. she kept saying, i ain't scared of no dog. when she got to the courtroom, i was inside.

they still have the metal detector and the dog, and i could see her standing there. she was saying, i ain't scared of no dog. i watched this beautiful old dark woman walk through that metal detector, walk up to that dog, and said, i scared and no dog. [laughter] she said don on the front row the courtroom and turn to me. she said, i am here. [laughter] i looked at her. i said, it's so great to see you here. a few minutes went by, she said it loud, you didn't hear me. i am here. i said, i do see you here. i never will forget it. the judge walked in. everybody stood up. everybody sat back down. ms. williams remain standing. she said, i am here. it became clear to me to what she was saying. she was not saying i'm physically present. she was saying, i may be old, i

may be poor, i may be black, but i'm here because i have a vision of justice that compels me to injustice. that is what we need. you may have to say on that a lawyer. i'm from new york. i don't know this. i don't know that. i'm here. i don't know if there any words more powerful they can make a difference in the lives of condemn people, poor people, marginalized people, then when some of you with a heart full of hope comes and stands next to them and says, i am here. sometimes that is all we have to do. [applause] >> you know, that story -- i think it's great. [applause] i think that that story -- what do you think, brian, if we turn it over to people. the story is so iconic and says

so much. i just want to say this about hope and the must turn it over to you. you get to get in the conversation. i speak at a lot of universities and high schools. young people do want to get in there and they do want to make things different. i think we have to find ways -- not just to teach, but we have to find a way to build bridges across classes and neighborhoods so that young people can be with each other to sort these things out. >> absolutely. >> there is so much separation. >> yes. that is the final part of that. for a lot of the work we do -- you and i have to do things, which it were honest about, really uncomfortable. it's not easy to go to some of these places. it's not convenient.

we are not unique. what we are doing is something that anyone can do, everyone can do, and i guess my hope is that we can find a community of people who will choose to do uncomfortable things, people who celebrate the consequences of what happens when courageous people do courageous things. the truth is that we need everybody. we need them to the courageous. we all have to some times stand when others are sitting. well have to speak when others are quiet. doing something uncomfortable is the legacy that most of us have inherited if we are concerned about social justice and human rights. we need that from everybody, from people coast-to-coast, and sometimes uncomfortable thing means it will get a little challenging. you pick up some cots, bruises, and scars, but it is in that we

honor what it means to be fully human. i'm going to tell one more story and then we can open it up. i have been thinking about this all day long. you have this incredible ministry where you have gone into difficult places, you stood next to condemned people who really just needed somebody to hold onto them, people who were abandoned, people who were forgotten. you go all over the country and you do amazing advocacy. it has been an honor for me to have this time. we had a chance to share each other. this is one of my favorite people on the planet earth. i mean that. i want to say this to you and then we can open it up. >> i want to say one thing. [applause] >> that's right. i remember being in a church,

giving a talk, and this older man was in the back of the church. i did not know how he was reacting to the talk when i was giving it. he sat there staring at me. he had the stern look on his face. i remember worrying about him, because he was looking real stern. when i finish the talk, all the young kids came up and i said my things to them. this older man in a wheelchair with sitting back there. he got this little boy to will him up towards me. he got behind this wheelchair and push this winter up to me and this older man came up at me. i did not know what he was gone do you know what you are doing? i took a step back. he said, do you know what you are doing? i mumbled something. he said, i'm going to take you what you're doing. he said, you are beating the drum for justice. it moved me. he said, you keep beating the drum for justice. he grabbed me by the jacket and pulled me into the chair. he said, come on him going to show you something. he said, you see this car. i got that scar trying to register people to vote in

mississippi in 1964. he said, you see this cut right here. i got that cut in greene county, alabama trying to get people to register to vote. i got that mark during the children's crusade in birmingham, alabama. i will never forget him saying to me, people look at me and they think i'm some old man in a wheelchair covered with cots and bruises and scars. he said, you know what, these are not my cuts, bruises, scars. he said these are my medals of honor. i know you go to difficult places. i know you have exhausted yourself beating the drum for justice. i know you have been cut and bruised and scarred, but i will tell you that for people like me, all i see is a nun with a heart full of love and a commitment to justice. covered with medals of honor,

and it is a real privilege. [applause] >> thank you. [applause] i am writing a book. it is my spiritual journey. it is like the prequel that led to dead man walking and the experience of being with people who were executed. i think of it in terms of fire. something that happens to us that sets us on fire for justice. the beginning of my book is going to go like this, they killed a man with fire one night. they strapped him in a wooden chair and pump electricity through his body until he was dead. his killing was a legal act because he had killed. no religious leaders contested the killing that night, but always there.

i saw it. i saw with my own eyes. what i saw set my soul and five, a fire that burns in me still. here is an account of how i came to be in the killing timber that night and the spiritual currents that pulled me there. it could be when we reader book, when we meet a person, that part of us that knows we were made for more. we were made to do something significant in life for justice, and not just agree to be able to bask in what we have been given, but to be able to be able to catch on fire. it is the greatest gift of all. when you catch on fire, brian, you know this, we have to do what we do, not in the sense of being coerced, but it's integrity. i must. i must do this. when we are on fire, we do what

we must do and carried through to wherever it will lead. one of the spiritual values is we do what we do, this is gandhi -- mother teresa said something like this to -- we do what we do because it is the right thing, a thing of justice, and we don't seek the fruits of our actions. we do it and turn it over and then let it be picked up. that is the word i would like to say. you are a man on fire, and we are part of it, but it is bigger than us. you fill yourself, don't you? -- you feel yourself on the don't you? the man on death row in louisiana is going on 23 years. he was totally innocent. he was totally railroaded on the eyewitness of one person who put him there.

i see the courage of that man. every time i come away from that death row cell, i come away with courage to fight because he is facing every day that sell knowing he is innocent and striving for his justice and for history. >> it is incredibly inspiring. there is nothing that may energize you more than find a prison and go to visits somebody. find someone to support. you will be surprised how it will change you. you will learn about courage. you will learn about that orientation. i remember when i was a little boy growing up and i played in the church, some of the poorest people would come in and they would give these testimonials about all of their struggles and all of their suffering, and they would tell all these heart aching stories of what happened to them just as we.

they would end by looking at the congregation and saying, but of course i would not take anything for my journey now. i would not let that turned me around. that is the great power in being proximate to these challenges. yes, they break you, but they also push you to see great things. they make you want to do things that you would not otherwise want to do. that is very exciting. >> we got to turn it over. [laughter] [applause] [indiscernible] >> we will sign books for you afterwards. if you only have money for one book, get brian's book. >> i know you are happy about

pope francis's recent statements about abolishing the death penalty. this is officially been the church of a long time. the predecessors were not outspoken about it. i wonder if you see this as a lasting change or a flash in the pan. you see this is something that the church will be more -- looking forward? what is your prediction along those lines? >> it's great that the pope spoke out. we are the church. we learned that in vatican ii. we are the church. we are the democracy. the supreme court is the supreme court. we are the people. the same thing is for being in the church. the bubbles that have been coming up on this have been coming up a long time, and catholics have made great headway because we have been working are you know what off to

educate people like mad in the pews because catholics in 1998, 78%, look how high this is, 78% of the country supported the death penalty. with catholics, it was 80%. it's bad. they are getting it. we have been educating the you know what out of people. it is the people. when a pot boils, it's not just one big bubble that comes up in that pot. it starts with little bitty bubbles down at the bottom and the bubbles keep rising, like we are doing tonight. the same is true for the catholic church. >> one of the challenges with leadership is that our political leaders have been intimidated into not doing honest about a lot of these issues.

you can't find politicians from either party -- mass incarceration was not a single party phenomenon. they were competing with each other to be tough on crime. you will not hear politicians use words like rehabilitation, restoration, redemption, correction when it comes to dealing with people in jail. we have to change the political culture and make it safe for our leaders, church leaders, political leaders, community leaders to be honest about the need for more compassion. to be honest about the need to do something that is more just, more merciful. leaders have become intimidated by what happens. i'm excited about what we saw in california in 2012 -- a public referendum on the death penalty. we could not get the legislature to eliminate these mandatory sentences in california there were treating to over incarceration. it was the people who passed a

referendum by a landslide in every county that ended the sentences for violent offenders. it was these people who almost passed a law that would have abolished the death penalty. in 2012, largest different america. it is possible for our leaders to help us, but it is urgent and essential for us to demand more for our leaders. i hope we don't wait for our popes and presidents and our elected officials to lead discharge. we have to stand up and start moving and make them follow us if they will not lead. >> anybody else? paul? >> how do we do it? >> i think there are some specific things. we have elections coming up, and i guarantee you that at the national level most of us do not know whether the people running for office believe there are too many people in prison or this is

the right number or we want more. we don't talk about these issues. we can eliminate -- reduce the prison population by the to percent in the next eight years by three civil strategies. if we convert -- in this world drugs and treat drug entity as a health care issue rather than a criminal justice issue and get the people the treatment they need, not only will we help families and communities, but we will bring down the prison population dramatically. prison population spending in 1980 was 6 billion. last year, it was 80 billion. we bring the prison population down by 50%, that is $40 billion we can use for health and human services, education, and other things. that is one thing we can do. the second thing we can do is to insist, insist that we become a part of the global community.

as we stop putting our heads in the hand and think we are above everyone else -- it is shameful we have not done that. what will come behind that are reforms that will make a profound difference. finally, what we have to do is demand from our elected leaders that they not simply be tough on crime, but they be smart, that they care about public safety and what we included public safety. things like the health of our poorest and the quality of education and the opportunity for people to be safe and secure in the neighborhoods and communities. we have to ask the questions. sometimes it does not take more than someone saying, do we have too many people in jail or prison's? let me hear what you have to say about that. great we can talk about these issues. here's what happened in these executions were people were being tortured, suffering. should we stop? should we stop? do we have a criminal justice system that is unfair to the poor. she we do something different?

is it to racist? those are the questions that we have asked on the profound human rights issues that is becoming a dominant issue for our society. >> all i can say is, i am so happy -- thank you very much. [applause] >> thank you. [applause] ♪ [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] "washingtonxt journal," rebecca berg on the 2016 presidential race and central campaigns by jeb bush and elizabeth warren. and we will talk with boston college professor on her book on

the role of public diplomacy and pop culture in shaping america's image abroad. "washington journal" live with your comments, calls, facebook, tweet every morning at 7:00 a.m. eastern. here's a look at some of the programs you will find christmas day on the c-span networks. holiday facilities -- festivities start at 10:00 a.m. with the lighting of the christmas tree followed by christmas decorations with first lady michelle obama and the lighting of the capitol christmas tree. just after 12:30 p.m., celebrity their this stock about causes. supreme court justice samuel alito and former florida governor jeb bush on the bill of rights and the founding fathers. on seas and 2, venture into the art of good writing. at 1230, the feminist side of the superhero as jill searches the secret history of wonder woman.

otherspamela paul and talk about their reading habits. on american history tv, at 8:00 a.m. eastern, the fall of the berlin wall with footage of president george bush and bob dole with speeches from presidents john f. kennedy and ronald reagan. at noon, fashion experts on first lady's fashion choices representing the style of the times in which they lived. former nbc news anchor tom brokaw on his more than the years of reporting on world events. that is this christmas day on the c-span networks. for a complete schedule, www.c-span.org. guilllette of the moving picture institute on the lyrical messages in pop culture. filmmakers like james cameron theire liberalism through movies. he says conservatives should use the same techniques.

of conservative forum silicon valley hosted this event. it's about one hour, 15 minutes. >> ronald reagan once said freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. we didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. it must be fought for, protected, and handed on to them to do the same. make no mistake, we are in a battle for the hearts and minds of our children. the battle for those who would diminish our freedoms. one of the battlefront is our popular culture. movies, television shows, books, websites, and now social media that entertain our young. at the same time, teach them so much about the world around them. there's no doubt the left understands this. the attitudes at the least progressives are all over modern

popular culture. you could see it in the movies and tv shows being made, marketed, and sold in the 21st-century america. sometimes it seems you cannot go to the movies these days without being assaulted by left wing propaganda. it is ranked to see film that celebrates america and its exceptional heritage rather than denigrating it and highlighting its mistakes. or a movie that portrays american soldiers as honorable heroes that they are rather than crazed sadistic killers. is it too much to ask to debate a successful businessman as an important citizen in his community? i don't think these are unreasonable requests. i suspect neither does our guest speaker tonight, mr. adam guillette. he has run a foundation called the moving picture institute or

mpi for short. they great films that celebrate such conservative, bedrock principles as liberty, individual rights, limited government, and free markets. mpi has helped launch the careers or support dozens of independent film makers who are passionate about telling stories about freedom. in short, mpi promotes freedom through film. he is a veteran and ongoing fight for liberty. in 2004, he joined the leadership faculty and spent several years traveling to help the organization in its mission to identify and train free-market activists. three years later, he launched the florida chapter, a nationwide grassroots organization whose 2.3 million citizen activists advocate for

limited government and for regulatory restraint. something that is in short supply in the age of obama. in 2011, he joined the moving picture institute as vice president of development. he has been featured on fox news channel, washington times, national review magazine, and even the reliably left centered your time to generally pay attention to conservatives to accuse us of racism or sexism. he has been on the front lines of the battle over popular culture. i'm delighted he is here to tell us how conservatives could you storytelling to advance the cause of -- could use storytelling to advance the cause of liberty. these help me welcome adam guillette -- please help me welcome adam guillette. [applause] >> thank you, sir. how is everybody doing tonight? calm down with enthusiasm. i'm adam guillette with the

moving picture institute. we are promoting liberty because we believe film more effectively than any other medium could bring the idea of freedom to life. we do filmmaking. we do videos, all kinds of stuff. it boils down to storytelling. this is a tactic you could do whether you are a filmmaker or not. effectively advance your believes for more effectively by telling stories them by simply listing the facts. for years since our side has been consistently viewed as a quantitative, logical folks, we think if we stack up the facts, we could prove we are right and victory will fall to us like right fruit -- ripe fruit from the vine. does that work? no. the other side uses emotional

appeals and we have been destroyed. we could make an argument of how big government health care is a terrible idea. it is a wasteful idea. stuck up the facts and persuade people it is terrible. the left will come in and say what about that single mother over here. are we going to do something for her? an entire debate has been lost. storytelling, leading with emotional appeals is the effectively to reach people. people make decisions based on emotions and look at the facts to back up those emotions they have made. you choose to go out and splurge on a new car. that is an emotional decision you back up and say, well, i did x, y, and z. i think i justified the car. unfortunately for young people and low information voters, these are folks who carefully

study the political issues before making decisions. these are folks you could reach with storytelling. what is storytelling? what is not storytelling? storytelling is not interviewing grover norquist in an office. it is usually policy officials being interviewed. i've got nothing against offices. but that is not interesting. it is not entertaining. it won't bring in people. storytelling is not stacking up all of the statistics, facts, and graphs. people will fall asleep. they will turn and walk away. the only way i think you could get this to work is if you distract people like in clockwork orange and force-feed information. we cannot do that.

we are not in favor of that. what do we do instead? we end up ranting and complaining to our friends. we overwhelm them with information and typically come across like these people. [laughter] with apologies to my gluten-free friends in the audience. that is how we end up coming across. i write. i have got the statistic. i know i'm right. i've got the statistic. when you go in and start arguing, instinctively the brain releases endorphins and they dig in their heels and they don't want to listen to you. there is a better way. it is storytelling. it is how we have created -- communicated ideas for thousands of years.

storytellers would travel it -- traveled from village to village. if that to memorize facts, that would be impossible. instead they remembered stories and the main events would be conveyed through the stories. that is how ideas came across. storytelling is a spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine goes down. we would never suggest you ignore the facts and information, but rather leave with a motion, leave with the information and supplement it with facts. >> you could eat a carrot with an onion ring -- it's cool. he's with me. [laughter] >> that is exactly what storytelling is. you are entertaining them. capturing them emotionally. once you have captured them, deliver the ideas. we are not the first to come up

with these strategies. this lady -- anyone seen her before? that is correct. when ayn rand wanted to write, you could've written nonfiction. that instead she embraced storytelling. she wrote "atlas shrugged," which still sells millions of copies today. she conveyed her political philosophy through a story instead of listing fax. when god wanted to write the definitive statement come he could've written the 3,255,000 commandments. i don't think it would have spread like wildfire. instead he wrote the bible and conveyed his belief systems through more stories. becoming so successful it may have spawned sequels depending on who you ask. even before that, you had things like the brothers grimm and hans

christian anderson. fables we learned as kids. they taught us through stories to advance morals. they didn't sit down and say share is good. stealing is bad -- unless you are the government. instead we learned fables and it was conveyed that way and it was much better at conveying the information. this is all obvious to us. instead in terms of clinical tacticians, you see -- i'm sorry had to look at that after you a -- usage james camerons and michael moores of the world. they are leading in this ideology. i see jim's cameron is a much bigger threat than michael moore. michael moore -- you know what you're going to get in terms of ideology. james cameron makes mainstream

films. you does alien, titanic, avatar. while you are there, subversively, he delivers his ideology. he delivers his ideology. you noticed titanic, every wealthy person on the boat except kathy bates is greedy, selfish, that people. every single or person on the -- poor person on the boat is the most kindhearted person you have ever met in your life. when you look at alien and avatar, who are the villains? corporate leaders. for the average american, they may never encounter a big corporate ceo. they're not running it to fortune 500 liters on the street. from -- 500 leaders on the street. when you run a candidate for the presidency who has got a background in business, the guy -- i would rather live in a world where you have experience creating jobs, you are up five point based on that background.

but they have been so powerful -- [applause] -- that it is the other way around. that is the power of culture. he complain about hollywood. rather than ignoring an important tool, we should embrace it. the best person on their side was referenced in the video. one of the most influential people today politically. and that more than half the you have never heard of the guy. he founded ebay. a small company that went on to success. despite creating one of the biggest free markets, this guy ain't with us ideologically. instead of maxing out candidates and knocking on doors, instead of doing that, he created a hollywood production company to reach the masses. these guys churned out film after film. by the way, "promised land" one of the best examples.

a narrative film with matt damon. it wasn't a documentary. a film about fracking and how it is awful in all of that. true story. anyone know who helped finance it? it got abu dhabi. what do they do? they could fund a film with an a-list actor. all of these films to advance his beliefs. it has got explosions. it was really about how mandatory minimum sentences are a bad idea. he does back education reform. he supported waiting for

superman. on nearly all the major issues, he is not one of us. they don't just release these films and hope for the best. no. the great social action campaigns for them. after you see an inconvenient truth, they direct you to the website. takepart.com. immediately, they give you action items of what you could do from the comfort of your home to advance your beliefs based on the film you just saw. you could click here to send a message to your elected official and your district about how we need to take on climate change. you could click the policy from the sierra club. they are taking casual moviegoers and turning them into effective activist just like

that. doesn't matter if they were indoctrinated in schools or not. the people watching these films are affected emotionally. when they get home, they are engaging in activism for the other side. they are brilliant at it. i have never met a perfectly good idea that it wasn't willing to make my own. that is what we need to do. amazing stories to be told on our side. stories of entrepreneurs being blocked from achieving the american dream by regulators. stories of kids in inner cities being denied good education opportunities. these stories could be backed up. these are the stories that need to be told. that is what i challenge you to do tonight.

when you are talking to friends about issues and speaking at an event and knocking on doors, challenger to embrace storytelling. use those tactics instead of reciting facts. there are some key characteristics i would suggest. it is those great to have -- relatable. promote operative rights. we backed a film called "battle for brooklyn" about eminent domain. if you say to your apolitical friends -- some of us have them -- if you have got them, you say, i'd like to talk to you about imminent domain. what are they going to say? i've gotta go. no one wants to hear that. that's a film about a man named daniel. wasn't a political guy. wasn't a scholar. probably a liberal.

big government bureaucrats were teaming up with political crony businessmen to seize his property in brooklyn bit eminent domain abuse and give it to a developer to build a basketball arena. unbelievable story. he was the perfect hero. he was authentic. not a political type. he is an everyman. it works for the same reason letters to the editor a more effective than editorials. we get irritated by editorials. there written by some left wing blowhard every time. letters to the editor are far more widely read than the editorials you are short, to the point -- read than the editorials. they are short, to the point. a film about property rights and individual liberty. do you want to see the trailer?

good answer. it is the next clip. you have no choice. [video clip] ♪ >> he says he will move it into a proposed arena complex right in the heart of brooklyn. there are those who are raising serious objections about the loss of homes and businesses to make way for this arena. >> it is right here. >> moved into the neighborhood because i wanted to live in it for a long time and raise a family. if you cannot fight for your community and help, you are really not going to fight for

anything. >> we're going to get the mets to the brooklyn if it is the last thing i do. [applause] >> somewhat of a david versus goliath situation. >> everyone is jumping up and down about this reality. this is a land grab. >> we don't want to go. >> abuse of imminent domain. >> you should stay home. you shouldn't go anywhere. >> this is brooklyn's future. we deserve it. >> did i imagine i would be doing this? no. we are both obsessed with it. >> they are going to take our taxes for a basketball arena. >> that is why this fight is our times.

it is left to a corporate entity and the community. >> nobody is going to remember how long it took. there are only going to look and see that it was done. >> they had cops on every rooftop. they are terrified. >> my life -- wife and i met as activists. we want to teach our child to stand up for one's principles. [applause] >> you notice what the film didn't say -- this is an important story about property rights. the constitution. the constitution. i value the constitution. you value the constitution.

you need to use appropriate bait for what you're trying to catch. you got to go out that using a relatable character to make it interesting and exciting. you have to go after them. you cannot use things that would appeal to us and say it is about property rights or the constitution. if you make something that is overtly conservative, it is only going to be viewed by a conservative audience. if you make something libertarian, it will be viewed by libertarian audience. you have to use appropriate bait that doesn't seem like it is necessarily coming from an obvious point of view. for conservatives, it is tough to grasp that. it is rare to have anything and

pop culture. we want to put it all out on the table. this is our one chance to get our beliefs in philippine if you make it too political, you'll alienate the film for the audience -- but if you make it too political, you'll alienate the film for the audience. the exactly the last best hope for freedom in america. it was used by elected officials -- not exactly the last best hope for freedom in america. it was used by elected officials. they requested the film, which is excited. another great way to get people to appreciate the message, another key characteristic is to have an underdog. someone -- americans love underdogs. we want to support the little guy. when you think of business leaders, they are the little guys.

they face regulators, taxes. they face awful government bureaucracies. we think of somebody like that. but to the average person, do they see steve forbes as an underdog? no. even though you and i know big business leaders have everything going against them. average person doesn't see it that way. they don't see big business leaders as the underdog. when we want to support a film that celebrate entrepreneurship and what makes america great, the filmmakers found ultimate underdog to tell the story of. we backed this film called. days -- dog days in d.c. there a lot of food court vendors. they all have the same crummy selection of foods.

that is no accident. all of these food cart vendors store their food carts at the same local businesses. if they don't buy their supplies, they jack up their rent. as a result, they got pretty much the same products. this guy lost his job, but had an idea. great is this idea. what if i make high-end food that i could sell to the foo cart vendors they could sell to people? that wasted being only able to offer crummy hot dogs, they could sell high-end food. if there has ever been and under.com it is a single mother from -- an underdog, it is a single mother from another country. who could be against that?

local government regulators. naturally. stopped issuing permits to new food cart entrepreneurs. even as people -- i bet you they were tired. you don't even issue permits. every year there are less who carts available. if your guy trying to provide products, that could hurt business quite a bit. we supported this film called "dog days." here is the trailer. [video clip] been doing this business almost 20 years. sometimes i don't have money to pay for the rent. >> i got fired from my last job. i got a decision to make. almost every vendor sells -- why is that?

>> it a good sell food, we could make more money. >> the vendors are living in fear. >> part of it is the fear of doing something big. i think i could do it. >> i've never started a business. i've never worked in the corporations. >> she was a first want to take a risk on me. >> this is really hard. >> $5,000. >> the american dream is a freedom. >> came to this country with a suitcase and passport. >> sold out. >> has the ability to define

you. >> i/o is say it is going to be better every day -- i always say it is going to be better every day. >> i hope it is the same glimmer of hope i see. >> that film was already released. if you would like to see it, all of the films are listed on mpi.org. you good rent it on netflix, itunes. it is not a film that hits it on the nose that says this is about politics. this is about changing local bureaucracy. no. who could be against these guys? why wouldn't we want to let them have their own business. that is how you preach people. telling everyday stories.

this is not anecdotal. there are plenty of entrepreneurs around the country being blocked by regulators. first through the heart then the mind. humor. satire. when you argue someone, they dig in their heels. tentacles are released from their brains. they put up barriers. i don't want to listen to you. humor is a magical make sure that could break through various. in order watches the daily show with jon stewart or the colbert show, do they share our believes? no. but why do watch them anyway? why? because it is funny. his argument to you as that would you like to watch a show hosted by a guy who is going to lie through his teeth and savage your beliefs? no. buffett is -- but if it is so

funny, you will watch it anyway. if you worry about liberalism, is one to worry about. he has higher ratings than the cbs evening news. he is the primary source of news for many young people. that is powerful. we complain, but things like john stuart, the ratings are only going up. they are incredibly powerful. humor is the tool that cuts through everything and gets the police through. -- that beliefs through. one of our supporters came to us. we have been cultivating a small contrary of funny folks who are improv comedians and stand up comedians. we're working with a couple of them. meanwhile, used humor as the focal point even when discussing serious topics. you and me about the waste and fraud of the united nations.

probably would have been a 10 volume dvd series. we still be in the second intermission right now. instead the filmmaker found a way to keep it under two hours. it played in theaters nationwide normally if we get reviewed by the new york times or l.a. times, what do they say? good or bad things? horrible things. they savage of us. what do we say? we hold of those attacks like a badge of honor and this was so effective. they used humor to break down barriers so darn well this film was praised by nearly every paper in the country. new york times, l.a. times, washington post praised this film. allowed me to be a glorious in

the cricket even the new york allowed me to -- be a glorious hipocrit. for the readers of "the new york times," when is the last time they've read anything negative about the u.n.? here is the trailer. i think you will enjoy it. [video clip] [phone rings] >> hello? nobody here.

>> not quite sure when i realized the u.n. was a joke. >> we spend millions of dollars to fund the united nations expecting it to solve the world problems. does it? >> i was paid to do nothing. he said, enjoy the beach. have beer. >> i saw you at the club last night. >> we sound the alarm when nuclear activity was discovered. >> they haven't been able to do anything about it. >> how have you been with nuclear weapons? >> the definition of terrorism is a difficult thing. >> i brought the webster dictionary. they have a definition right here. >> that is webster's. >> i found a definition of terrorism in the dictionary. >> thank you.

>> sudan was honored. it is fantastic the whole genocide didn't get in the way. > no country is perfect. >> i'll take you on a journey around the world. two people behind the curtains and expose the secrets of the u.n. >> hello? >> make a few minutes -- and make a few friends along the way -- or not. >> the film is a couple of years old. with inflation, that is over $10 million today. [applause] one other great example of humor is with the youtube tv show called econ pot. it is amazing how viewership has

changed with generations -- econ pop. it is amazing how viewership has hanged with generations. these guys watch all their content where? on the computer. tablet. phone. it is distribution. if you have interesting content, you don't need to go through nbc, hbo, amc. if it is good content, you could get people online. it is exciting. young people watch all of the network shows on hulu.com. a good nbc show is the same thing as a good youtube show. there was a survey done. they asked young people as they were familiar with mainstream celebrities and youtube celebrities. i want you to. i have only heard of -- i watch youtube. i have only heard of two people.

it made me instantly feel old. if you have good content, we could put it on youtube. in the current show you could subscribe to called econ pop. it brings people in who are searching for "house of cards" or "ghostbusters." we bring them in just from hat. we educate them. you have companion podcast. anyone familiar with podcast? wonderful. i am in silicon valley. podcasts are wonderful short form radio shows that you can

download and listen to. they are very popular. ask if they want more information. they could download the podcast. i will show you a brief clip from my favorite episode of what i think is one of the most important movies of my ifetime. f course i'm talking about "ghostbusters." and when you remember it? great story of entrepreneurship. there is a quiz at the end. who was the villain? the epa. the government agency. walter peck, the epa regulator keeps harassing them and forces them to shut down the machine where they have been storing ghosts and causing all kinds of chaos reigned supreme. brings on the marshmallow man. only a big regular could cause a problem that big. nd it features great lines

like dan aykroyd talking to harold ramis about being small business owners. he says, you don't know what it is like out there. they expect results. [laughter] great story about entrepreneurship. here is kind of how the host of the show interjects himself in a little bit of that episode and movie. [video clip] >> good evening. listen, we are in a lot of trouble with the epa. if you stick around, we have to fill out a lot of interdimensional commerce forms. if you could relocate to new jersey or maybe canada, you would be doing us a solid. >> thanks. > are you a god? >> half on my mother's side.

were not very religious about it. waling go once or twice a year on holidays. >> then -- screaming] >> that is the opening bit they o. they discuss the aims of the show -- themes of the show. it is a great entry-level way without saying i would love to talk to about economic and they are falling asleep. another great humor is atire. we supported a film -- make a film based on the writings of a socialist.

urt don van wrote a disturbing tale -- or as liberals call it, and magical dream -- it takes place in the year when government has made everyone equal things to the work of a general. beautiful people wear mask. some people wear weights. smart people were devices in their ears to distract them. it is a wonderful story poking fun at the government galitarianism. wouldn't you know it, it is in 17,000 classrooms. normally if you told public school teachers, i have got a great start making fun of big government, would you like to how it to your kids? what do they say? call the cops. get this guy out of here. if you do it in storytelling and basin off of a story that they use in classrooms anyway and if you don't make the politics too obvious, you can have a lot of success.

you could reach kids from watching the short film in their classrooms. i'll show you the trailer for this one. [video clip] >> i think that was a pretty dance she just did. that dance, i bet it was ice. you must be tired. why don't you rest your andicaps on the pillows? ou are always so worn out.

>> i'm a fugitive. 'm an abomination. i'm an exception. > they hope to destroy any

trace any extraordinary that is ut of their reach. >> what was it this time? >> loud. same as last time. >> that film is being viewed by 17,000 kids -- i'm sorry, classrooms every year. the class size, that is about 17,000 kids with the statistics. no, something like 1.5 million. you may be wondering. ll of these online videos -- >> what's different at this

point -- >> very good question. i'm subjecting it first to michael moore and then that. i will never be invited back. a film we did called "the cartel" was more for elected officials than a general audience. it was about the waste, fraud, and abuse in the new jersey ystem. s you saw in that promo video, had a great impact. >> it helps mold for me the inal outlines of what i wanted to do if ever lucky enough before i became governor. the movie lays out what is going on in the new jersey education system. it does not only informative and has helped me, but is brilliant entertaining on top of it.

>> that is exactly in. we live in a world where elected officials film policy apers. very them after. they have the analyst read it. you could get people with stories. stories dramatically change how we frame the debate. frame the debate, when the battle. if instead as we discussed until the source of poor kid to want a better education come it becomes students versus union thugs. that is a battle we could win, similar with fracking. it is viewed as evil energy companies versus government lists have no political agenda and only care about the plants and the trees and the animals. but if you tell the stories of

farmers in new york who are being taxed off the property is crazy property taxes, but there's a moratorium on fracking versus governmental radicals who o not care about the environment, but want to advance their politics, that is a debate we could win. everyone into great heroes into her talking points. do not just lead with statistics and facts and put people to sleep. tell them about the public policy you know of. mpi, we love to partner with

organizations to do q&a and screen films. if are looking for examples of people to use, maybe think tanks, op-ed's. these are the stories that are there. they need to be told. it is up to us to tell them. that is exactly the point i want to make clear. the facts are important. lead with the story. lead with emotion. supplement it with facts. thank you for having me. [applause] >> excellent job. i forgot to mention this is being videotaped by c-span. we will give you more information on tv. >> any questions? i have two more fun clips. questions are interesting, i'm sure. > got a couple of ushers walking around with index cards. write down your questions. the ushers will bring them

over. right legibly if you can. that will increase the odds. >> good idea. i have got two other clips. this is a film that is still in production that tells the story f americans have been impacted by bad government policies. america lost the to profiles americans in alligator mississippi that is a real town. it does not just policy wonks. it is what happens to everyday americans. here is the trailer. [video clip] >> i hate to say it. the neighborhood i grew up in which was once readable is a ghetto now. weeds are growing over everything. the house is in decay. businesses are closing all the time. seems like poverty is like a mean disease. it slowly creeps and onsumes.

it spreads. >> one of the main strongholds i ee is finance. drug addictions. there's a strong depression in the city. >> over the course of the last 50 years, we have developed classes that are different from anything we have had before. it is a cultural divide much more important than economic ivide. once the tipping point has been passed, all things collapse. >> in every great empire, there is a rise, ap, and a fall -- a peak, and a fall. we are falling because we not taken the necessary steps. >> the cure is not another

social program. what our society needs to work is for us to be more human and more deeply engaged with one another. we become the architects of our communities. architects of our future. >> change starts with us. if you could affect a person, the community, the city, the world. ♪ >> that is the first film we are doing a social action campaign for. questions? >> what could we do to support mpi? >> and the vice president. i'm legally required to say we are a nonprofit organization. if you care about advancing your beliefs, i'm -- there's a massive imbalance in this arena

related to any other political class. you talk about policy organizations. the left has got think tanks. the right has think tanks. think of michael moore and steven spielberg. have got jeff school. they have got george soros. then there is us. a big imbalance. if you know talented filmmakers, our goal is to support and cultivate an army of freedom oriented filmmakers at all levels. we take kids in college who share our beliefs and have talent and place them on major production companies to jump tart their career. we find people and help them start a production company. they could do this kind of thing for a living.

we want to find them and work with them. for your individual selves, using storytelling to advance your beliefs on a personal level is the way to do it. mpi.org. we would love any support. thank you. >> next question -- do you have ny projects in the past to counter common core? >> sure. we haven't done anything immediately in the pipeline. we don't have anything at the moment. one education reform we have got n the pipeline that i'm really excited about is a narrated film called "virginia." a poor african-american woman in d.c. she wanted better schools for er kids.

she became political. she became a crusader appears she launched a massive campaign to enact under george w. bush a scholarship program. we're trying to get queen latifah to play in. it is not a documentary. they could see what it is like for these kids in inner cities. who is on the right side of helping these kids and who is on the side of making union thugs wealthier. obviously we are against it. just so we're clear on that. [laughter] >> are you working on any projects dealing with islam? >> no, we really stick to

physically oriented stuff, nothing on ship,, islam currently. >> any thoughts on why so many wealthy entrepreneurs are liberal? >> well, i don't know. in silicon valley, the kind of art. in which places, -- it seems like many businessmen become cronies a government. ec people make the thomas edison turn where they enter as on spinners and become political onto a nurse and close the door -- you see people where they do that thomas edison turn would enter as on spinners and become political on spinners -- entrepreneurs.

uber is starting out to cut deals with local government where they will make regulations. uber's main competitors -- lyft and sidecar. they may start with one political belief, but they are in it for their business first nd foremost. i don't like the idea of using government for your business. we are building a little advisory panel. these are people we are seeing first hand. yfts and bnbs -- i think it is an interesting time. we could appeal to these people. hey are on the wrong side. you might be scared of x candidate, but if you want to advance your business, we are the once want to create the environment in which your usiness could be advanced.

>> where would i go to find and watch your movies? >> thempi.org. it is so simple. after you click on each film, it says click here to get it on amazon or stream it on netflix or itunes or youtube. very straightforward. hempi.org. if you know some interested in filmmaking, he have all of our programs listed. >> a question related to the business of movies. what does it take to get a movie nto multiple theaters?

>> this is an involved question. it depends on the film. some good self distributional rights. they will sell it in theaters and get it in certain theaters. other tense you see something where you will make a deal with he theaters individually or on a train where you will pay in rent out the theater to screen your film. that is necessary for one your film to be eligible for an academy award. the guarantees your film gets reviewed. that is great. more people probably read about you and me and saw it was laying in manhattan. the press coverage of your film to be bigger than the film itself. press coverage is a great strategy. if you pay the theater to show it and ran out that theater, a lot of the times if they sell the tickets, the theater will carry it over and keep it

without you paying for it. they see there is an audience or it. most of the stuff you do not need to put in theaters. we do some stuff in heaters. if my goal suspect to make money, get ideas in front of people, deal got to get out other homes, go to the theaters, part, find a seat -- park, find a seat -- but if you could get the clicks and o viral online -- we are doing more online content. >> how do you go about finding the stories you want to tell and finding the film makers we want to tell those stories? >> sure. it is word of mouth. we are at the point where film makers are inspiring more filmmakers. one of our guys were really talented guy. he is that good and he is working for mtv and nickelodeon.

his real passion is to make videos about economics. we helped him out and start his own production company. he makes brilliant videos. one of the viewers of his videos got inspired. she decided she wanted to make - be a film maker as well. he started making films. she makes pop music video for teenagers about economics. it is a common theme to do these days. she'll was reading it so frequent me her friends were teasing her she was in love with him. she goes. that's it. i'm going to make a love ong.

her follow-up video is a pop music video about the dangers of an inflationary monetary policy. it is called fast cash. we're getting to the point where filmmakers and where word-of-mouth -- >> are you working with any authors who have created children's books? >> sure. we have done -- we had these animators who worked for disney and were passionate about the american revolution. we supported them on an animated retelling of the boston tea party. t sounds adorable. she said that if you teach kids characters and themes and relatable ways, it would help hem understand it later.

with that in mind, these kindergartners encountered characters in a very clever and effective way. we are adapting a book right now or classroom use with a series f cgi short films. all these things. we love passion stuff. we love great ideas for passion rojects. >> this question wants to do role-playing. she says i am talking to my neighbor but even go immigration and he tells me a story about a 22-year-old quietly living her life, working at a grocery store, and this person is illegal. now what? what story are you going to tell him?

>> immigration is not one of the issues that gets me as fired up as other ones. i would not be the best person to convey a response on that. surely you could pull up the negative ramifications of immigration. he most immigration we get his cubans turning a roof into a boat and floating over. it is hard not to support that, right? i would use whatever characters or personal stories you could tell to show that illegal immigration has had negative ramifications on your life. that is something closer to home or you guys. >> have you written a book? if not, why not? >> illiteracy.

ith some tutoring -- am not a creative type. i do development work, outreach work, media stuff. the only thing i have ever been approached for is -- we have a ig event in manhattan, and very time our filmmakers come up to me they want me to work with them. the same thing every time. you would be great for voiceover work. [laughter] that is the greatest backhanded compliment you could get. i did some voiceover work for an animated short. hey called me. they needed somebody to voice a demon.

now i'm getting typecast. that is the closest i have got to anything creative. i did a radio pilot. >> reminds me of the old one liner, you have a great face for radio. >> exactly. >> what kind of budget do your projects typically have? >> all over the place. we have videos the causes little as $6,000. virginia, it is going to be multimillions. obviously, narrative films are more expensive than documentaries. feature-length is more expensive than short films. merica lost will probably cost for production somewhere between $500,000 and $1 million. your marketing budget has to be as big if not bigger than the production budget. he marketing is key.

as crazy as that sounds. if somebody sees an ad for america lost, it could be just as effective as a political ad. but it's not just something that is forgotten as soon as the lection is over. i view the advertising as a much more worthwhile investment when it's done for social action campaigns. >> speaking of candidates, can you think of any good examples of candidates or political figures or leaders using humor and storytelling effectively? >> californians, can any of you point to a great politician? ronald reagan. that is the best example. governor reagan, you are

accusing mr. carter of those mistakes. have you ever made a mistake? yes, i was once a democrat. [laughter] moral outrage is the most powerful political tool. reagan also employed -- there ou go. controlled anger is the most powerful political tool, but humor is the second most powerful political tool. >> the breakdown of black families is the results of government policies. any thoughts on how you might change that?

> in stockton, california -- when all government institutions disappeared. it can wreck families lives. it is crazy. the troy today, they don't even offer police services in some areas. just like you see in other countries when they enact socials health care systems, initially it starts out as the greatest health care ever. then they can afford it. it's incredible. you will see that in virginia. >> is anyone else making films hat celebrate freedom?

>> a lot of individual filmmakers out there do great films. not everybody works with us on every project. our goal is to build a movement, not an empire. we partner with an organization called free to choose. a district a lot of our content and classrooms. there is another organization in california that do a lot of free orkshops for filmmakers.

we are the only organization doing what we do. creating content online, theatrically release content -- and we partner with a lot of institutes as well. we have been fortunate enough to partner with a lot of great organizations out there. >> did you have anything to do with the film the last man standing? >> no. what was that? [indiscernible] >> should i be watching it? ok. i'll put it my netflix or tivo queue. we celebrate films that promote liberty. one year, we also did the liberty tv wards. we could not do it every year because there is not that many tv shows. how many times can you talk about shark tank? last man standing, tim allen -- is that on abc? >> i haven't heard of it either. will look for it. we talked about children's books

-- this is a question about a specific book. any interest in working with rush limbaugh? >> no. i'm so lame and old that i would record and listen to rush limbaugh when i came home from chool. if there were young people here today, they would be really confused because they don't know what tape-recording is. people always ask us, why don't ou work with glenn beck. that would lower cover. e is selling red meat to tea

party members. >> you said you had one more clip. let me do one more question. then we will wrap it up. are you familiar with the movie, unfair, exposing the irs? >> i have never heard of it. similarly, if anybody knows of great filmmakers or people who share our beliefs and want to be more active in filmmaking, i would love to talk to you. this last clip is not one of the ones we did. the guy i mentioned to worked at nickelodeon and mtv did this one. e wanted to make it so funny that the liberals could not ignore it. alon said that they hate every bit of this video. it is a parody of 1980's action figures called cronies. [video clip]

♪ >> get ready for the all new kronies. >> they are stealing our customers with superior roducts. >> meet the extreme shape shifter. > you can't stop me. >> here come parts and labor. >> we are under competitive attack. >> raise the trade barriers.

>> this wall street are stacks the deck and rigs the game. >> take to the skies. >> she's awful. she is wasteful. >> every team needs a eader. krony mate source of power. >> get connected to the g force. >> we are connected. >> find out more. ollect them all. each sold separately. do not attempt to be a real krony without political

influence. [applause] >> thank you so much for having me. i love coming to a place where against all odds, against all adversity, there are still people who are passionate about liberty. it is a true thrill and inspiration to come out here to meet people fighting for our belief against such incredible odds. thank you for having me. i appreciate it. [applause] >> thank you for coming.

>> up next on c-span, the queen's christmas message from london, then president obama the first family at the national christmas tree-light ceremony. after that, first lady michelle obama with a look at this year's white house christmas decorations and then the lighting ceremony for the capital christmas tree. on the next "washington journal" rebecca burg of the washington

the political campaigns of jeb bush and elizabeth warren and martha davis on her book about public lomes. every morning on c-span at 7:00 .m. eastern. >> here is a look at some of the programs you'll find christmas day on the c-span networks. the lighting of the national christmas tree followed by the white house christmas decorations are first lady michelle obama and the lighting of the capitol christmas tree and then celebrity activists talk about their causes and then supreme court justice samuel alito and then jeb bush. steven pinker and then at 12:30

see the femme cyst side of a super hero. pamela paul and others talk about their reading habits. c-span 3 at 8:00 a.m. eastern, the fall of the berlin wall with ronald reagan. first ladies' fashion. tom brokaw on more than 50 years the of reporting on world events. that is this christmas day on the c-span networks. here are some of the futured programs you'll find this holiday weekend on the c-span networks. saturday night, supreme court ustice elena kagan.

glen kessler. on c-span 2, saturday night at 10:00 on book tv afterwards, damon root on the long standing battle of supreme court activism and judicial restraint and then book critic jonathan yardly who ecently retired. and the discussion of president lincoln's 1864 re-election campaign. and "trial by fire world trade center. about the battle of the bulge. let us know what you think about programs you're watching.

call us, email us or send us a tweet. join the c-span conversation. like us on facebook. ollow us on twitter. >> queen elizabeth delivered her annual christmas message earlier this week this london. the tradition dates to 1932. n this year's message she paid tribute to the military and volunteers working to combat ebola.

that heeds of the old the really a, the sculpture was inspired by the story of a woman who crossed europe on foot after the war to find her husband. casts of the same sculpture can be found in belfast and berlin and it is simply called reconciliation. reconciliation is the peaceful end to conflict. we were we mind of this the in august when countries on both sides of the first world war came together to remember in popies of the ic tower of london drew millions.

the only possible reaction to see them while walking among them was silence. for every poppy a life and a reminder of the grief for loved ones left behind. no one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today. in 1914, many people thought the war would be over by christmas. but sadly by then, the trenches were dug and the future shape of the war in europe was set. but as we know, something remarkable did happen that christmas. exactly 100 years ago today. without any instructional command, the shooting stopped and jerman and british soldiers met in no man's land. photographs were taken and gifts

exchanged. t was a christmas truce. a new idea. in the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration turnover olympic games and wars and battles were put on hold. sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as we saw this year glasgow when over 70 countries took part in the commonwealth games. it is no accident that they are known as the friendly games. as well as promoting dialogue between nations, the commonwealth games had the collusion of sports with each day's events. the games that followed, the courage, determination and talent of the athletes captured our imagination as well as breaking down divisions.

the benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when i visited belfast in june. game my tour of the set of of thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the jail will remain vividly in my mind. what was once a prison during the troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose. a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the couple n the sculpture. of course reconciliation takes different forms. in scotland, after the referendum, many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief. bridging these differences will take time. bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even

harder task. and i have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or often a es like ebola, great personal risk. for me, the life of jesus christ, the prince of peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. a role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. christ's example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none. sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord. but as the christmas truce, a

century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power n the hearts of men and women. on christmas eve in 19 14, many of the german forces sang "silent night," its haunting melody inching across the line. that carol is still much loved today. a legacy of the christmas truce and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikelies of places, hope can still be found. a very happy christmas to all.

>> earlier this month, president obama and the first family helped light the national christmas tree on the mall in washington. the president and first lady spoke. tom hanks and rita wilson o-hosted the ceremony. >> now, our hosts for this evening, tom hanks and rita wilson! [applause]

♪ >> i want to tell you, good evening. all right. that's the way to do it. welcome to president's park, everybody. as you can see, we are just across the street from the white house on a wonderful winter night here in washington, d.c. >> this is the 92nd annual christmas tree lighting. a great holiday tradition in the nation's capital that dates back o the coolidge administration. >> did you know calvin coolidge played the harmonica and had two petra coons? >> how did you know that? >> his facebook page. thank you, drummer. i liked that. calvin coolidge very big into the social media. >> millions of americans will be celebrating this season with their own holiday traditions, but tonight we're glad you joined all of us here for a

terrific night of music and more. >> how about a hand for the president's own united states marine band! [applause] of them can do 140 pushups. speaking of the marines, a very word of essage and a thanks. > god bless you. >> now we welcome the first family of the united states. >> i'm now going to recite your names. mr. president. mrs. obama. happy christmas.

headlight, everybody! is everybody read to countdown? we're going to start from five. we want to say thanks first of all to tom and rita. we hope they are ready. we hope everybody that is watching at home is getting in the christmas spirit. we're going to start counting down right now let's do it. five, four, three, two, one.

[applause] >> well, i think it is time for a story and i was going to suggest something like talking toys or magic trains that take kids to the north pole, but i understand there is a tradition on this stage of reading "the night before christmas." to help us, we are joined by monet davis, the 13-year-old pitching sensation who took little league world series by storm. and she has just been named the sports kid of the year by "sports illustrated" magazine. that's right. there you go. and it is my great honor to welcome the first lady of the united states, michelle obama.

>> i would love to see you too. are we ready to read? >> i'm ready. twas the night before christmas when all through the house. not a creature was stirring, not even mouse. >> the stockings were hung by the chimney with care >> the third down were snug in thinker beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. i in my cap had just settled down for a long winter's nap. from my bed to see what was the matter. >> away to the window i flew like a flash. tore open the shutters. >> a luster of midday to objects

below. then what to my wondering eyes should appear? a man with a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. >> i knew in a moment it must be saint nick. >> he whistled and shouted and called them by name. m to the top of the porch to the top of the wall now dash away, dash away, dash away all. as dry leaves before the wild hurricanes fly when they meet with an optical mount to the sky. >> a sleigh full of toys and st. nicholas too. >> i heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. as i drew in my head and was turning around down the chimney

st. nicholas came with a bound. >> all his clothes were tarnished with ashes and soot. >> a bundle of toys he had slung on his back. he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. is dimples so merry. his nose like a cherry. as he beard on his chin was white as the snow. he had a round face and a little shook while het laughed like a bowl full of jelly. i laughed when i saw him in of myself. >> a wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know had nothing to dread. >> he spoke not a word but went

straight to his work and filled the stockings, then turned about a jerk, and laying his aside of his nose and giving a nod, up the chem knee rose. >> away they all flew like the down of a thistle. >> but i heard him exclaim as he out of sight, merry christmas to all and to all a good night. [applause] job.od >> ladies and gentlemen, once #.in, next performer is a tallled songwriter