awesome. catch us tonight on theyoungturks.com. or youtube/tyt. "viewpoint" is next. god bless and bye-bye. >> john: hello there. republicans are making a new evident to pretend they care about immigration reform. we're going to talk to a latino who left the republican party because he's latino. and charles koch, billionaire at birth has launched an all-out assault against the greedy poor folks who like to have a minimum wage. all of that plus justin bieber will not be spared in the f bomb. today's birthdays include lil' kim, tab hunter and e. b. white who have issues with a woman named lil' and a man named tab. brought to you by the number of time george w. bush had the debt raised by the g.o.p., seven and the number of times ronald

reagan raised taxes 11. don't forget those numbers. this is "viewpoint." >> john: good evening i'm john fuglesang. this is "viewpoint." thank you so much for joining us this evening. the republican house finally began tackling the immigration issue this week with a closed door meeting wednesday where the senate's comprehensive bill was overwhelmingly rejected. >> we are not going to do the senate bill. our committees are going to continue their work on a step by step common sense approach to fixing the problems in our immigration system. >> john: a common sense approach that reportedly leaves out a pathway to citizenship for some 11 million undocumented immigrants, apparently rejecting the will of an overwhelming majority of american voters. you see according to the latest gallup poll, 88% of adults

support allowing immigrants in the country illegally an opportunity to become citizens. that includes 92% of self-professed moderates 91% of liberals and 83% of conservatives. now, after meeting with president obama at the white house today senators john mccain and charles schumer members of the gang of eight who helped craft the senate bill insisted they were encouraged that the house had finally begun to at least work on the issue. >> there is an acknowledgement no matter where we stand on the solution that this is a problem that demands addressing. >> second, it is realized in the house that they have to work with democrats in the house to pass anything. there are enough republicans who will just vote no on anything that this has to be a bipartisan effort in the house. >> john: but of course, any bipartisan effort will have to contend with tea party favorites like minnesota congresswoman

michele bachmann who reject a pathway to citizenship any time soon. >> the only thing we're spreading right now is to actually build a fence. we want the border secured first then we'll have step two. we'll have the conversation about what we're going to do. >> john: that's a conversation that will likely come too late for many voters who see intolerance in the g.o.p.'s dismissal of 11 million undocumented immigrants who are already here and want to become citizens of the country where they live and work. and they want to pay taxes too. now, it is already too late for my first guest. pablo is an iraq war vet rand the former republican national committee state director for florida hispanic outreach. a year ago, he was working to help elect mitt romney. today, he's a democrat. welcome to "viewpoint." what a pleasure to have you. >> thank you, i appreciate it. i'm glad to be here. >> john: we're glad to have you. now, you made a big splash with your announcement last year. but i want to go back before that and ask what originally sir, attracted you to the

republican party? >> well, there's definitely certain things that are attractive in the republican party. we're look at issues of businesses entrepreneurs and also things like freedom personal freedoms and those are issues that are really important and i saw that they were -- they were part of the republican platform at that point. >> john: okay. well, a year ago, you said that florida hispanics were going to realize that the g.o.p. was where they belonged. sir, what changed your mind on that? >> well, i think that's -- you know unfortunately they came out with an autopsy report recently stating some of the worst things that have happened with the g.o.p. in recent times and after that report came out it's only gotten worse. republican party today is saying is to hispanics and latinos is mi casa estu casa. that's a difficult thing for us,

hispanics and latinos to accept the issues that affect our community are not going to be looked at by the republican party. >> john: i think you're right. the autopsy report you refer to, of course, was commissioned by reince priebus after last year's election and it called for many changes including much more inclusive policies toward minorities. which seems to be a very forward-thinking idea for the g.o.p. but as you pointed out that, doesn't seem to be happening, at least not in the house. why not sir? >> well, and you know what? the interesting part is even though immigration reform passed in the senate, you still are looking at 32 republicans that voted against it. and there was a very -- there was a minute or the of republicans that actually had to be nearly pushed into supporting something like that. or anything that had to deal with immigration. right now what we're look at in the house is unfortunately immigration reform, if we don't do something about it, it's going to die a slow death.

>> john: i think you're right. i'm sure you would agree with me that building a fence isn't going to solve any part of this problem. the g.o.p. knows fully well they're going to need a majority of latino voters to ever get the white house again in any national election. does it seem like the g.o.p., sir, at this point, it is just at war with themselveses? >> they're so -- we shouldn't only look at issues film that are going to affect the anglo community, for example. we've got people like phyllis, a conservative leader saying forget about latino voters, hispanics. we can get elected without them. unfortunately, she may be partly right in the sense that republican districts are becoming wider as they progress in time. so there are some issues that we definitely need to look at and the republican party is definitely pushing away anything that has to do with hispanics today. >> john: while it is nice to see phyllis branching out from

the near gay hate i grew up knowing her for i think you're right, sir. let me ask you this, why become a democrat, why not become an independent? what attracted you to the democratic party? >> sure, i thought about it. when i made my decision, i thought about why not be an independent. i think we've got a great gift in america the gift of being able to associate yourself politically with a political party and that's something that -- that's a great thing we have in this country. and i think the best way was to be part of a political party as opposed to being independent. so i also see that in today's democratic party issues of human rights and issues that matter to the hispanic community and to everyone in general are more at the forefront of what they're trying to accomplish. and so i saw that there's also a bigger tent. you know, recently, i went to a gathering of florida democrats and it was palpable, you could

tell it was a more diverse group and the democratic party. definitely even though not everyone may's gree with each other on 100% of the things, there was a willingness to be able to listen to different things and different ideas and options. new options and new things. i was also very welcomed. >> john: we were talking on the show last night about how ann coulter believes immigration reform meant citizens will de facto vote democratic. that's the logic behind many republicans opposing the legislation. however, a lot of older latinos as you and i both know are catholic and may be drawn to the g.o.p. with conservative views on abortion and marriage equality. >> we need to stop won't looking at this like how are they going to vote. if they vote democratic, so what. what we're looking at is 11 million undocumented human beings that are in the united

states today that are living in the shadows that are not being afforded the same opportunities that we're all being afforded in the united states. you know, recently, we've got governor rick scott who vetoed driver's license for dreamers here in florida. why do we have to make it harder for human beings that are trying to achieve the american dream. i mean these are people who are living in the shadows. we need to do something about these human beings here in the united states. >> john: well, i think that's very well said sir. but i have to ask what kind of response did you get from your former republican colleagues when you switched parties? >> well, look, not everybody was happy. there were some that had some nasty things to say. but i have to say there were also some that said that they respected my position and those that knew me, knew that i meant it and knew where i stood and what i stand for and they were fine with it.

and so some others -- you know, in privacy you know, talked about how you know, they said you know, you've said something that i've never been able to say before. that you've been able to say what i've been thinking and i haven't been able to say. so there are others that think the same way but haven't gotten around to maybe expressing it like i did. >> john: i find that fascinating. why do you think those particular latino republican colleagues are still staying with the party? >> like i said, there were some issues that perhaps even in the democratic party we need to make more attractive in terms of the entrepreneurial spirit that the hispanic community has. and just like i thought when i joined the republican party back in those days, that it may have been a better venue. you know we need to let -- the hispanic community know that that's also part of being a democrat. the american dream is also

achievable in the democratic party. so regardless of what party you're in, you can do that in both. and for hispanics who are still under the republican party there are some who might be in positions that they may not be able to afford the same thing that i did which was go ahead and take a stand. they have their own personal issues and so -- and reasons to do so and to stay in the republican party. so, you know, i'll respect those but i hope that they're able to see that right now republicans are making it harder for hispanics and right now republicans are not looking at those 11 million undocumented immigrants that are human beings that are in this country. >> john: we all know tons of republicans who are very open mind and get along great with minorities. would you say that intolerance toward minorities generally is one of the bigger problems the g.o.p. has right now? >> well, definitely there is a culture of intolerance like i said before.

we've seen a lot of examples more recently at a gathering of republican voters, you know, our republican congressman dissent told some nasty things and was told why don't you learn some english. obviously the congressman knows english. we've got other people that are saying some things that i don't even want to repeat on camera that are hurtful for hispanics and latinos, you know, senator rubio -- has been chastised for his hispanic heritage. they make pins and buttons with mexican hats which i don't think it is an insult. if he was mexican he should be proud of it, of mexican heritage but he is of cuban heritage and what they're trying to say is that you know, because he is hispanic that he is less of a human being in some way. so there's a lot of issues like that that are permeating the

republican voter base right now. >> john: so, what do you think it's going to take for the party of lincoln in this century to move beyond ignorance like the stuff you described and intolerant policies and attitudes that seem to flow directly from its base? you ever see them cutting the bigots loose? >> for the sake of everyone in america, something needs to happen and i don't see them moving in the correct direction and the proof is in the pudding. right now the house is not going to look at an immigration bill and if they look at it, they may blindly look at it. so we'll see what the future holds but right now it is just not looking very good. and that's unfortunate because that's actually going to hurt, you know, diverse communities that we have in our country. so i hope that somehow they're able to realize what they've

done wrong and actually do something but again, let's go back to the autopsy report. it was completely laid out. it was completely explained on how important it is to look at these issues and it's just gone by the wayside. >> john: i agree. it was very well written. it is not often i compliment reince priebus that much. sir, should president obama sign any immigration bill if it doesn't include a pathway to citizenship? >> well, you know what, that's something that we'll have to see. i think he definitely is going to have to push a lot harder for immigration reform. you know, sometimes the policy and all of the ins and outs, they're lost in translation. but i think you know, he's being a little bit held hostage by the house g.o.p. we've got someone like speaker john boehner who's saying we want obama to kind of remain on the edge of the issue so that

way, republican congresspeople don't feel pressured. and so it's a really -- it's a dicey situation. it is a thin line he's walking. i think that for the sake of those 11 million undocumented immigrants and all of those in america and other immigrants in other families that he's definitely going to have to sign something that's positive and helpful for the human beings. >> john: iraq veteran pablo pantoja for florida hispanic outreach, now a democrat and a well-spoken one at that. i wish you the best. thanks for coming on "viewpoint." >> i appreciate it. thank you. >> john: up next, is there prejudice against the employment nondiscrimination act in the senate? yes. stick around.

cenk off air alright in 15 minutes we're going to do the young turks! i think the number 1 thing than viewers like about the young turks is that were honest. they know that i'm not bsing them for some hidden agenda, actually supporting one party or the other. when the democrats are wrong, they know

i'm going to be the first one to call them out. cenk on air>> what's unacceptable is how washington continues to screw the middle class over. cenk off air i don't want the middle class taking the brunt of the spending cuts and all the different programs that wind up hurting the middle class. cenk on air you got to go to the local level, the state level and we have to fight hard to make sure they can't buy our politics anymore. cenk off air and they can question if i'm right about that. but i think the audience gets that, i actually mean it. cenk on air 3 trillion dollars in spending cuts! narrator uniquely progressive and always topical the worlds largest online news show is on current tv. cenk off air and i think the audience gets, "this guys to best of his abilities is trying to look out for us." only on current tv! >> john: welcome back. this week, the u.s. senate took another small step toward joining the rest of us in the 21st century. the employment nondiscrimination act or enda, made it out of the

senate committee on health education, labor and pensions. now, enda, as you brilliant viewers know bans workplace bias based on sexual orientation and gender identity. it passed by a 15-7 vote. thank you three forward-thinking republicans who care about the future of this country and your party. the question is will this bill become a law? let schoolhouse rock this with tico almeida. he worked on it as the lead counsel as it madity way through the house. he's also the founder and president of freedom to work. that's a national lgbt group you all should know about dedicated to shielding all americans from harassment or discrimination in the workplace. he joins us live from washington, d.c. how are you? >> doing fantastic, thanks john. >> john: let's get started. what specific protections does this current version of enda offer americans? >> it says that in a private sector employer, you can't fire people because they're gay you

can't refuse to hire them because they're lesbian you can't deny them a promotion because they're transgender you can't pay them unequally because they're bisexual. pay them based on their skills and resume and not who you are or who you love. it's common sense. it's consistent with the american values of hard work and getting ahead based on your own skills and it's long pastime that it became law. >> john: i can hear rand paul gnashing his teeth right now. he's the senator who famously said on rachel's show that private employers should have the freedom and liberty to discriminate if that's who they want in a free society. how do you respond to that wonderful libertarian argument, tico? >> rand paul was a no-show on wednesday. >> john: really? >> rand paul is on the committee. rand paul submitted an amendment that would have blown an

enormous gaping hole into this civil rights law and into all of our civil rights laws and we spent a bunch of hours on tuesday night researching the opposition to that amendment. we were prepared with good arguments about how rand paul was trying to create a dramatic departure from decades of american law. then rand paul did not show up and did not offer his amendment. the opposition was literally a no show. >> john: i think that's because rand paul spefnt tuesday night researching how much his right-hand man loves john wibles booth. what compromises had to be made to the enda bill before it got out of this committee? >> it doesn't apply to small businesses. that's the same small business exemption that has applied for decades in all of our civil rights. so if you were a mom and pop that has a few employees, none of our civil rights laws apply to you. we hope that american business owners who have two or three employees will hire people based on their talents. that's what's best for their

business and profit. but our civil rights laws don't apply to small businesses. that's the same where this law. the other big exemption is for religious employers. so if the catholic church doesn't want to have lesbian nuns, they don't have to have lesbian nuns. if a baptist soup kitchen or a catholic school or other religious nonprofits want to make hiring decisions based on their tenants of their faith they're allowed to do so. that, i think actually is an appropriate step to take to protect religious freedom in addition to the lgbt freedom to work. there is a good balance there. it makes it a bipartisan bill. it's why senator orrin hatch of utah could vote for it and why we'll get to 60 or 70 votes this fall when it comes to a vote of the full senate. >> john: if the catholic church wants to reduce their potential hiring pool more, they should have the right to. as we pointed out on this show many times there is nothing in the bible that lets you discriminate against lesbians. as you know, tico, white house

press secretary jay carney was pressed today and you know what i'm going to say, on why the president doesn't just sign an executive order as enda is make its way through congress. take a look. >> best path forward was through comprehensive -- more comprehensive legislation. and that is the path we've been on and which we believe has helped achieve the passage with bipartisan support through the committee today. >> john: he seemed to really enjoy answering that. is this really the best way forward, tico, considering the risk of this thing might get mugged along the way? >> poor jay has been answering the same question for about five years. because five years ago president obama made a written campaign promise to the gay community, he told us that as president, he would sign an executive order that saves taxpayer money by making sure the best qualified workers get jobs as federal contractors. he has not yet fulfilled that campaign promise and poor jay

had to justify that for five years. he's getting tired and he's floundering as he does it. i've got to say that the obama white house has been m.i.a. on the employment nondiscrimination act. they have not done enough, they have not pushed for it. about a few minutes after the vote, i got -- i checked my phone and i had an e-mail from one of my contacts in the white house and they sent out a press statement, an e-mail celebrating the win. and that was -- i thought to myself, this is the least they could do. this is literally the least they could do. and they've done nothing more. there is no evidence that they're lobbying the hold out senators like florida and virginia and mr. pryor of arkansas. they should be on this bill. they're not and there's no evidence that the president has picked up his phone to call them. and once he's done picking up the phone and calling those three senators, it is time for him him to pick up his pen and fulfill the campaign promise. this thing polled at 70% or 80%.

it pulls with the majority of evangelical support. all of america's best and biggest businesses, the best and biggest contractors like dinecore lockheed martin. these are not hippies that run these businesses. these are businessmen who make military machinery. and the best of those companies have adopted lgbt workplace policy because it is the right thing to do. also because it is good for business. president obama should follow the lead with corporate america. he should follow the lead of the american people who have totally accepted the gay rights movement. there is nothing to be afraid of. it's time to sign. >> john: i hope he heard it because i'm sure the white house still gets current. tico, what are the odds of this thing making it through the house and becoming law? >> we'll start a discharge petition that allows you to get a bill stuck in committee out of committee when 218 members sign that petition. it's going to be a long slog. it will be a tough site. we've got some shot at it this year. it will help when we wrack up an

enormous win in the senate with more than 60 votes possibly around 70. this will be huge when we win. >> john: tico almeida, thank you for joining us. >> thank you. >> john: okay. the only thing crazier than some of the tea partiers you know are some of the elected tea partiers you know. >> my producer just coughed up a hairball. >>sorry. >>just be grateful current tv doesn't come in "smell-o-vision" >> oh come on! the sweatshirt is nice and all but i could use a golden lasso. (vo)only on current tv.

(vo) later tonight current tv is the place for compelling true stories. >> jack, how old are you? >> nine. >> this is what 27 tons of marijuana looks like. (vo) with award winning documentaries that take you inside the headlines, way inside. (vo) from the underworld, to the world of privilege. >> everyone in michael jackson's life was out to use him. (vo) no one brings you more documentaries that are real, gripping, current. >> john: we conclude our wtf wyoming week with a look at cindy hill, a tea partier elected as head of the wyoming department of education who allegedly engaged in cult-like practices, made workers cry and threatened employees with a knife. when asked to comment on this, tea party officials apologized for not making cindy hill their woman of the year.

you see according to a 18 5-page report, the regime had a better human resources office than her office. what if her worker said he preferred to being in combat than work for ms. hill. he wished someone would send someone to find hill. the only problem is while hill wouldn't be crazy about the exterminate part as a tea partier, she has no problem with the extreme prejudice. martin sheen was busy. the report accuses hill, that was an apocalypse joke. at first i thought big deal, brainwashing. no surprise she would make her employees watch fox. it furnitures out she had her staff -- it turns out she had her staff hold hands and squeeze each other as a sign they trusted her. the meeting was called by some very culty but hill responded by saying that's ridiculous and i will smite those that betray the

church of cindy. i made that up. but wtf wyoming the tea party is a fact of our political life. we should encourage them to participate in our democratic process and run for office but for god's sake, don't elect them! very, very excited about that and very proud of that. >>beltway politics from inside the loop. >>we tackle the big issues here in our nation's capital, around the country and around the globe. >>dc columnist and four time emmy winner bill press opens current's morning news block. >>we'll do our best to carry the flag from 6 to 9 every morning.

>> john: today, we're going to look at minimum wage. currently, it's at $7.25 but some conservatives feel the minimum wage doesn't help anyone. conservative mogul millionaire at birth worth about $43 billion, charles koch, said recently... >> john: which sounds good besides the fact that it makes no sense. basically, mr. koch is saying

instead of raising the minimum wage, let's throw it out altogether and allow us to help workers by paying them even less than they can get paid right now by law. joining me to discuss the minimum wage and dickens weeping in his crypt is professor and publisher, karen hunter. blogger at redgirlsalon.com coming back to the show, the wonderful dee dee benkie. news director of tea party news network, recently named one of the top 20 hottest conservative women in new media by right wing news. >> only because of this show. >> john: my ex-wife scottie nelson. welcome to the lovefest, everyone. we have a democrat, a republican a tea partier and i'm confused. so let me ask you all first for your thoughts on mr. koch's idea of anolishing the minimum wage. >> it is ridiculous. if he wants to help poor people, he can give up some of his $31 billion. >> john: $43 billion.

he and his brother are number four. the richest people in america. they can give up of some of the money. he can spread his wealth and make sure that everyone is eating. >> john: what's your take, dee dee. do you think abolish the minimum wage is a good idea? >> if you're going to do a good job, you're going to get paid well. i don't like the idea of a minimum wage. i think billionaires have no right to talk about this frankly. >> john: i think you're right. >> they have no idea what they're talking about. however, if you do a good job you'll get paid. >> i don't agree with you. >> john: lots of poor folks who do great jobs but still get paid crap. >> go to another job. >> john: scottie, how do you feel about the idea of a minimum wage? >> i think it completely needs to be an be olished. especially in the economy today. people are sitting here -- they're actually working hard to make sure small business does not succeed. this is just another -- you raise this to $10 or whatever the current living wage might

be how are small businesses going to survive? they'll close their doors and guess what, less jobs, more people will rely on the government. it is a hamster wheel that unfortunately minimum wage will penalize the business owner who also is getting hit with obamacare, is getting hit with having to pay sick days in new york. all sorts of great things that do not promote a strong economy. >> john: before i let karen respond, there is a double-edged sword. folks may earn enough to qualify for subsidies but if the rate goes up slightly, they lose benefits. >> a realistic solution would be to not rely on the goodwill of business owner to pay what people deserve to make. i don't agree with you that people are going to get paid if they do a good job. i think if folks will, allowed to, pay as little as they can. we've seen it with outsourcing. if they can go to china or india and get the same amount of work for $1, they'll do that. this country was built on the

notion you can come from nothing and build yourself up to something. that dream has dissipated completely. and now we're in a place where we're expecting wealthy business owners to do the right thing and they simply aren't going to. >> that's not your problem. no, no no. >> move on. >> to where though? >> where are the jobs? >> oh, you're nothing. it is capitalism. >> john: dee dee, you can acknowledge it is pretty much impossible for a single mom who's guy has taken off to raise a child on minimum wage for $18,000 a year. >> find a job. >> where? >> we're a disservice nation. >> they're rich right now. they're doing much better than we are. >> you find a job, you work hard. you do one two and three jobs so it be but it is not for employers to say okay, we're going to take care of you. you find an employer that works for you and if it doesn't, move on to another one. >> john: in a democracy we the

people have a right to create a safety net that makes sure workers aren't exploited. >> no, we do not. tell me an example when the government gets involved, it actually helps the situation. >> john: the g.i. bill, the national highway plan. >> the g.i. bill that is starting to be repealed because now of the sequester. army militants having to go on furlough while our president is going for $100 million dollar trip to africa. >> john: we asked our viewers to ask us what they felt the minimum wage should be. elizabeth warren pointed out astutely it should have gone -- 1960, the minimum wage should go up to the same and the minimum wage now should be about $20 an hour. one of our viewers responded... >> who's lazy? >> john: one at a time. >> i feel like i'm on "the

view." >> i think it is riddick throws throw out that notion. there was a time -- >> john: wait. >> thanks to the republicans, we don't have unions that used to allow people to make a living wage. there used to be a time when a woman could stay home and take care of her children and a man could work and people go to school and not have to be indebted for the next 100 years with $70,000 $80,000 of student loans. there used to be a time when people could live. that doesn't exist anymore. >> there was a time when obama didn't put up $17 trillion in debt. >> john: scottie you're making things up. i'm going to take over again. you're making things up. since the reagan administration -- >> now, we're going to get back to blaming reagan. >> john: hang on. we all can acknowledge -- hang on. bill clinton deserves a lot of blame, too. during the 30-year period, the rich have gotten richer and the poor has gotten poorer and the middle class are growing

smaller. we can all acknowledge one of the problems in society is not uneven income. every free society has uneven income but uneven income growth over the past 30 years has been a problem. can we agree on that? >> absolutely. >> but what causes it? >> he's brilliant. >> let's take walmart. so you have in the top ten walmart, the four -- number six number seven number eight number nine richest people in the world. let me finish. so they're paying people roughly $8 minimum wage. they come into a community. they get subsidies. they're not promoting people. they're not giving benefits. i could work at fedex part-time and get benefits and have a life for myself working part-time at fedex. >> john: before you respond i have to go to break. in wisconsin over at walmart one store of 300 employees because of the wages so low people have had to require so much supplemental assistance

because they can't feed their family, it is costing the taxpayers $1.7 million in public benefits every year because walmart isn't paying a living wage. we'll go to break. we'll have a much more calm discussion much less controversial subject. of course, i'm talking about abortion. compelling true stories. >> jack, how old are you? >> nine. >> this is what 27 tons of marijuana looks like. (vo) with award winning documentaries that take you inside the headlines, way inside. (vo) from the underworld, to the world of privilege. >> everyone in michael jackson's life was out to use him. (vo) no one brings you more documentaries that are real, gripping, current.

this show is about analyzing criticizing, and holding policy to the fire. are you encouraged by what you heard the president say the other night? is this personal, or is it political? a lot of my work happens by

doing the things that i'm given touch with everything that is going on politically and putting my own nuance on it. in reality it's not like they actually care. this is purely about political grandstanding. i've worn lots of hats, but i've always kept this going. i've been doing politics now for a dozen years. (vo) he's been called the epic politics man. he's michael shure and his arena is the war room. >> these republicans in congress that think the world ends at the atlantic ocean border and pacific ocean border. the bloggers and the people that are sort of compiling the best of the day. i do a lot of looking at those people as well. not only does senator rubio just care about rich people, but somehow he thinks raising the minimum wage is a bad idea for the middle class. but we do care about them right? jon the war on women's reproductive rights are gearing.

from texas where the house approved the anti-abortion rights bill that wendy davis filibustered to defeat to ohio where kasich signed the anti-abortion measures which many think would close most abortion clinics in the state to new york where they tried to sneak it into a motorcycle safety law. the legislators are busy but are they doing the people's work or are they trolling for conservative votes and donations? to discuss what the american people want, what they're actually getting from their representatives, i'm pleased to be joined by a really brilliant panel. karen hunter, dee dee benkie and scottie nell hughes. last december, a gallup poll found 27% of americans believed americans should be legal in the second trimester. that's five months. most people would agree okay, i can see that limitation. let's start with the first poll in september. are we surprised only 27% of americans believe abortion should be legal in the second trimester or the 20 week span?

>> i'm not surprised. this generation has really had -- has not had to really debate this issue. it has been settled. >> that's fair. >> for 40 years. i don't know why we're back here. so it is not really on their radar. a young lady or old lady -- well, she still has -- she can get an abortion now and not have a problem so it is not that much of an issue as say gay marriage or something else. >> john: what do you think dee dee? >> deep in the heart of texas it is a little different than new york or perhaps connecticut. >> john: why is that? >> more conservative. they don't like it. it shows. that's why they're pushening. that's why there's been a lot of pushback with wendy davis and her pink tennis shoes. >> john: in fairness that, protest is more about the fact that that bill will close most of the women's health clinics in the state. >> remember, we had -- you know, the butcher. it is on people's minds right now. that was really terrible. so i don't think it is a problem for people to be thinking about it right now. in texas, it is very

conservative. it is the bible belt. >> john: scottie is this a pressing debate? are there that many women who say i'm five months pregnant, i change my mind now. >> putting this law in action in texas will shut down so many clinics, there are more people having the abortions than what we're giving them credit for. that being said, what -- >> john: they want to close the clinics. i don't think there's a lot of people having abortions in the fifth month. >> here's what's amazing about all of this. we're sitting here looking down in florida. we're look at the trayvon case all of the media hoopla over one person being dead. you're looking at the gosnell case eight babies at least were killed. murdered. where is all of the -- >> john: the difference is everyone knew gosnell would go away. >> he might go away but there will be no difference. there's not going to be -- if he would have been set free, you are not going to see riots. >> can we all agree that's an anomaly. that doesn't happen every day in

america that a doctor -- >> i agree with you. >> john: one at a time. >> what he did is and an om louse situation. >> no. because we're fighting this all over the country. >> there was another one yesterday. >> john: ladies, let's agree on one thing if rowe vs. wade gets overturned, abortion is not going away. always been around, it will always be around, right? >> yes. >> john: okay. i agree. if roe v. wade is overturned, women will still have abortions they won't be safe and legal. would you agree? >> yes but we won't be promoting an environment that encourages abortion. that's what we're doing right now. >> we have babies dying women will be dying. >> we're encouraging right now that hey abortion is a type of birth control. therefore, go have sex go have promiscuous sex, go get pregnant outside of wedlock. make a mistake? have an abortion. last year, planned parenthood had the largest number of abortions ever counted in life. there is a reason why. >> john: i think we're

generalizing a little bit. most women don't do it as birth control. >> if anybody on this panel has had an abortion, no one goes in skipping la la la, singing dixie. it is not a situation where people are happy to do it. no one is for killing babies. people make the decisions and they live with them for the rest of their lives so for us to debate whether or not people are using it as birth control when i think that's a very minute. >> make the choice to have sex. it is not like the baby miraculously came into your stomach. >> john: not always. that's a big point of contention. >> it is still a baby. i don't care if it is by incest or rape. >> everyone who wants to have a baby or wants toen have. >> bortion, you can send your babies to scottie because she feels gracious about babies. let her take care of them. >> john: i would like to ask that question. we don't have an abortion problem, we have an unwanted pregnancy problem. you would see this be what bill clinton said safe, legal and rare. you support the repeaceful roe v. wade.

do you as well, dee dee? >> i think early on, if you get to five months -- >> john: you don't support the repeal of roe v. wade? no. let's say abortion becomes illegal. if a woman is raped and she goes to a doctor and the doctor terminates the pregnancy please tell me who deserves the longest jail sentence, the rapist, the doctor or the woman in order. >> here's the question. >> john: no, i'm answering that. >> if it is medically needed to have the abortion. >> john: no. she doesn't want to raise the child. >> did the doctor ask her before she did it. >> john: yep and the docketter did it as doctors will do if roe v. wade is overturned. poor women will go to more gosnells. who deserves the longest jail sentence? >> across the board. >> john: all three of them. >> wow. >> because here's the problem. if -- obviously there is grace. here's the problem. >> apparently not.

>> because it is a baby to us. that's the difference. those of us who are christians who believe that life begins at conception. life begins at conception. >> john: not in the bible. >> that's my argument. >> dee dee? >> being in the middle here apparently, we don't know. for us to be judgmental of these women, we don't know what situation they're in. it is a difficult thing about killing babies. then gets to five months, it is terrible. >> john: i think we can all agree that's a valid argument. >> the question is what's the timeframe? >> here's the question. planned parenthood does not want -- from what i've told, they would like to do abortions up to the day -- why is that? that's not promoting. >> we can stay here -- >> john: i gotta wrap. i gotta go to something more important of this because if hearing more of justin bieber is on your bucket list, stick around for the f bomb. >> no, they said "make us a

turkey and make it fast". >> (laughter). >> she gets the comedians laughing. >> that's the best! >> that's hilarious. >> ... and the thinkers thinking. >> okay, so there is wiggle room in the ten commandments is what you're telling me. >> ya, i consider you jew-talian. >> okay, whatever you want. >> who plays kafka? >> who saw kafka? >> who ever saw kafka? >> (laughter). >> asking the tough questions. >> chris brown, i mean you wouldn't let one of your daughters go out with him. >> absolutely not. >> you would rather deal with ahmadinejad then me? >> absolutely! >> (singing) >> i take lipitor, thats it. >> are you improving your lips? >> (laughter). >> when she's talking, you never know where the conversation is going to go. >> it looks like anthony wiener is throwing his hat in the ring. >> his what in the ring? >> his hat. >> always outspoken, joy behar. >> and the best part is that current will let me say anything. what the hell were they thinking? >> only on current tv.

>> john: as you know, we cover lots of issues on "viewpoint," egypt, syria unequal income growth but tonight i want to talk about something that's actually important and that's justin bieber. yes, the 19-year-old american music award winner and grammy nominee, the vast twitter following who has lately taken up the dressing of like the lost love child of vanilla ice. i don't want to be too many because anyone of voting age knows how this movie ends with a one way ticket to lace garrett island. i know i'm going to get a ton of hate as justin manages to be both a tween girl's date and the violent felon's cellmate. most of the fans are going to disavow ever having been your fan by day four freshman orientation. you're like elvis not musically. elvis never charged money to watch him lip-synch at a concert. you're surrounded my friend by enablers who refuse to stop your

random acts of adolescence tool bagri. consider this a loving intervention from cousin johnny, you ready? because this week, justin managed to do something so vile and lame that he created a perfect metaphor for the modern state of american celebrity and class culture. justin ahad several number ones, this is about the number one he's going to be remembered for. as documented by tmz the dead sea scrolls justin and a few of his low wattage suckups were here at nyc when they decided to show the young believes how testosterone rots the brain. justin who never accepts an award on camera without mentioning his devotion to christ make a restroom out of one guy's custodial equipment. bieber, wearing the same pants at mc hammer's fire sale urinates into a mop bucket while his crew laughs and leaving it for some working man to clean up. then he sprays some of the restaurant's cleaning fluid this is a place where food is prepared on to a photo of

president clinton as he screams f bill clinton. really justin? be careful what you wish for. this is how a lot of young guys behave all the time. i recommend watching the video. it is a great way to remind yourself he's set for life and mozart and van gogh died penniless. karma will hit him like ike turner after bad weekend coke binge. he's got hard years ahead of him. he called bill clinton to apologize. e reported he offered to do something to make something right and clinton said if that's the worst thing you've ever done, all is well then bieber tweeted things were good with him and mr. president. here's the thing. that wasn't the worst thing you did. it is great how you trumpet the way you apologize to the famous guy but i would like to think bill clinton would with have pointed out the real person you should apologize to is the man or woman who had to clean up your human waste so they could do their janitorial job to provide for their family. you could make an apology to the

restaurant staff instead of treating them with the respect you show a pet monkey in german customs. the media hasn't asked it. the plight of the working folks can goes unreported. not too late, justin. somewhere right now, a 12-year-old girl is listening to the beatles revolvinger album for the first time realizing she ain't that into you and for his fans, all i can say is if your greatest accomplishment is being a belieber, then you're an underachieve. that's our show. i want to thank karen hunter. >> karenhunter on twitter. >> dee dee benkie? >> dee dee g.o.p. >> scottie nell hughes? >> john: we had two republicans and a liberal. this is "viewpoint." we'll be back next week. this is current tv. we're still here. i'm john fuglesang. five more weeks. good night mom.

[ applause ] >> joy: thank you. hi everybody. welcome to a very special episode of "say anything." one where the chair doesn't exactly fit my tush. it is the chair. it's not me. why is it so special and why