host: we welcome our listeners on c-span radio. the numbers to join in on the conversation -- wayne is joining us from new jersey online for independents. good morning. caller: good morning. i believe all this can be resolved by israel accepting ishmael sons and daughters back to their homelands. that would resolve all issues in the middle east. host: we will get a response guest: certainly the afghanistan situation is complicated by neighbors. i think there is a domino affect the echoes from the dispute in israel, palestine, through the region into pakistan. i don't think there is a direct connection to the problems in afghanistan. there has not typically been that many direct links between those two regions. on the other hand, what afghanistan has always been plagued by are stronger neighbors who play out their own political interests in the territory. as the situation tends to destabilize or the situation in pakistan or in iran, this has a fax in pakistan. it is a part of a larger puzzle. host: alexander is joining us on our demo

live coverage when the house returns here on c-span. on c-span2, you could see live senate debate on the start arms reduction treaty with russia. several senators want to amend the treated. russia's foreign ministers said russia will not accept any changes. its final vote on the treaty's ratification is expected later today. >> on c-span christmas eve, speaker of the house need to pelosi and other members of congress light of the capitol christmas tree and president obama and the first family attend the annual pageant of peace. on the 50th anniversary of the first televised present debate, michael dukakis and charles gibson about the preparation for a president to debate and their impact on the campaign. christmas day, former british prime minister tony blair and author christopher hichens on the role of religion. radio host garrison keilor talk about humor and political life and sandra day o'connor and david souter discuss life on the high court. >> listen to historic supreme court cases on c-span radio. saturday, the constitutionality

eastern on c-span 2. c-span's orange documentary on the supreme court has been newly updated and airs sunday, january 2. you'll see the grand public places and those only available to the justices and their staffs and you'll hear about how the court works from all the current supreme court justices, including the newest justice elena kagen. and learn of the court's recent developments, the supreme court, home to america's highest court, airing for the first time in high definition, sunday, january 2, 6:30 p.m. eastern on c-span. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captioning copyright national cable satellite corps. 2010] host: what does it mean to be a member of the shadow cabinet? host: guest: it means you're shadowing government ministers. i place a particular emphasis on public health. >> when you mean shadow, what do you do, do you have a budget or a staff? >> i have no budget but i'm the labor party spokeswoman on health issues and i have a small staff. so i'm a spokesman on legi

on the b.b.c. and world -- but went online and listened to american media like p.b.s. and c-spani had an would download it and listen on my mp3 player. >> how often do you do that? >> i listen almost every day to mpr, washington week with gwen ifill. and "feet in press" and cyst jan ahman pour. >> obama's made me rivetted. >> we found in our ar ky an appearance you made the 1994 on the c-span next, and i want to run it and let you see not only what you looked like back in 94 but what you were talking about then. >> diane abbott you are a member of the british champions and i happen to be a minority member here in britain. does it patter in you are an ethnic minority? any different from other members? >> well, you've got to remember when i was elected in 1987 to serve my colleagues, it was the first time certainly the people of african descent went to british parliament and i think there was a great deal of nervousness about her coming. in 9 7 there were irish m.p.'s and they disrupted the place and kept it generally created mayhem andty think they felt it was the second coming of

on the weekends, you can see our signature interview programs. you can also watch our programming and the time at c- span.org. it is all answer to ball on our c-spaneo letter -- it is all searchable on our c-span video library. >> "washington journal" continues. host: ray walser is the latin america senior policy analyst of the heritage foundation. tell us, why are the u.s. and other foreign businesses leaving mexico? guest: one of the big reasons to believe it is security concerns. we began this discussion talking about a recent report in the wall street journal, which pointed out a number of companies decided to relocate. they considered placing businesses in mexico and at the end of the day they said the security situation was too troubling and they would make investments in the united states. with high and implement rates in the u.s. command that is good news critic for mexico, that is not good news. i had the opportunity to visit mexico city a couple of weeks ago to talk to some of the political people, people at the embassy, and so on. there is grave concern about the security situation. it clearly has economic costs associated with this nar

eastern tonight on c-span. the future of limited government was discussed at a conference by new criterion magazine. there were a couple of editors that for interviewed. this is one hour in 40 minutes. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> take your seats. we only have a few hours to discuss a knotty problem. when it comes time for the questions and responses, please go to the microphone in the center of the room and say who you are and address your question or comment. i and the editor of the new criterion. i would like to welcome you to the conference on the wisdom of the founders and the idea of limited government. i am not sure whether there is a more pressing problem facing the public more than the limited government. -- like to thank a moment take a moment to thank those that made this possible. the thomas w. smith foundation, without his generous support, we would not be able to put this conference together. they are a conspicuo

. >> coming up on c-span, a look at the fcc net snuetralty rules on this week's communicators. then our interview with fox news analyst juan williams. and the president and first lady deliver the weekly radio address. >> a closing speech has an inevitable aspect of nostalgia. an extraordinary experience for me is coming to an end. but my dominant feeling is pride in the great privilege to be a part of this very unique body. >> search for farewell speeches and hear from retiring senators on the c-span video library with every c-span program since 1987. more than 160,000 hours all online, all freerks it's washington your way. >> you're watching c-span, bringing you politics and public affairs. every morning it's "washington journal," a live call-in program about the news of the day, collecting you with elected officials, policymakers and journalists. during the week watch the u.s. house and our transitioning to the new congress. and every policy forms and supreme court oral arguments. on the weekends you can see our signature programs, on saturday indicators and sunday newsmakers

eastern on c-span to. >> the c-span.org provide coverage of politics, affairs, nonfiction books, and american history. it's all available on television, radio, on line, and social media networking website. find content any time through the c-span video library. and we have been abuzz and local content vehicle bringing resources to your community. it's a washington uruguay, the c-span networks, created by cable, provided as a public service. ""washington journal"" continues. host: the economic policy institute and he's a federal budget policy analyst. cguest: thanks for having me. host: how your paycheck might be affected by the tax code changes. what will the page 6 look like when the changes take effect? guest: about a thousand dollars in tax cuts will be the difference. reductions from 6.2% down to 4.2%. the fica tax on your pedestal will be reduced by 32%. you will see an immediate reduction in your taxes starting in. from some low-income workers and you will see an increase. the making work pay credit to draw us to attend. your payroll liability decreased every month. that was dec

♪ >> tonight, on c-span,"q&a." ane abbott gives -- then former supreme court justices discuss their judicial careers and later, our interview with frank luntz. . . >> i'm the labour party's spokeswoman on issues and i have a small staff so i'm the spokesperson for issues of the media and i'm part of the top team for the labour party now. host: why did you run for m.p. in the first place? guest: i wanted to speak up for those that don't have a voice. out of 650, there were about 20 labour women and no black people at all. it was an opportunity to speak up for peek -- speak up for people who wouldn't have been heard otherwise. host: first black woman to be in the parliament of this country. guest: yes, and i was elected 150 years after the abolition of slavery in the british empire. it shows you there is such a thing as progress. host: what were the circumstances in your constituency and what it is? guest: my constituency in london is in a very poor part of london with a large minority community and high unemployment.

eastern here on c-span. in a moment, the signing ceremony to repeal don't ask, don't tell. after that, if release of new data from the 2010 census on population totals and congressional reapportionment. and a little later, new rules on so-called net neutrality and a vote by the federal communications now, the president signing the repeal of don't ask, don't tell. the policy banning gays and lesbians from serving openly in the u.s. military. in effect since 1993, the ban resulted in more than 13,000 people being discharged from the military. the pentagon's plan for implementing the repeal is expected to take at least several months. this 30-minute ceremony was held at the interior department to accommodate the large audience. [applause] >> how are you? it is a good day. a real good day. some of my colleagues can tell you, this was a long time coming but i am happy it is here. ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. it was a great five-star general and president dwight eisenhower that said cooperation can final

we will bring those to you live here on c-span. again, heading out to the hallway, where we are standing by waiting for remarks from some of the debt commission members as they adjourned their meeting on the debt proposal without holding a vote for approval. they needed 14 votes for the report to be officially passed to congress. there were, as we heard, only about 11 votes and support, so the proposal will not be passed on to congress. again, as we stand by winning four marks from some of the commission members, we will reduce some of the details -- waiting for remarks from some commission members, we will review some of the details of the report. it would achieve nearly $4 trillion in reduction by 2020, sharply reduced tax rates and cut spending and tax code, modify the mortgage interest deduction, what also ensure at the solvency of social security. again, it is a nonbinding proposal, but it does have bipartisan support, so it is likely to have some impact on congressional efforts to take on the debt. according to "the hill" news

eastern on c-span. >> the c-span networks. we provide coverage of politics, public affairs, nonfiction books and american history. it's all available to you on television, radio, online and on social media networking sites. and find our content anytime through c-span video library. and we take c-span on the road with our digital bus, local content vehicle bringing our resources to your community. it's washington your way, the c-span networks. now available in more than 100 million homes created by cable, provided as a public service. "washington journal" continues. host: our focus is the safety of the drinking water, a new study out earlier this month showing the 35 cities around the country may have cancer-causing agents in the drinking water. our guest is olga naidenko. she is a senior scientist at the environmental working group which put together this study. good morning. thanks very much for being with us. guest: good morning. host: let me begin with some of the conclusions. what did you find? guest: we found that out of t

today's hearing will be televised live on c-span. >>> and lawmakers returning to sacramento today for an emergency session about the state's budget crisis. they will try to agree on how to close the $6 billion deficit. a spokesman for the governor says to expect, quote, ugly cuts in state spending. >>> time now 6:20. the project to renovate the old transbay terminal in san francisco hits a roadblock. the city needs to take possession of four buildings that are blocking a path for rail tunnels. but the building owners are holding out for more money. tomorrow san francisco's board of supervisors will vote on whether to use eminent domain to take over the four buildings >>> also, free parking at broken meters around san francisco could soon come to an end. the city parking agency is proposing a one hour cap on the time cars can stay at a broken meter. so right now drivers can park in the spots for free as long as they don't overstay the time limit. the transportation agency says it's pushing for the change because it plans to install new four-hour meters across the city. >>> 6:21. the ra

debate on extending the bush-era tax cuts. >> join our three-hour conversation sunday at noon eastern on c-span >> this morning we'll talk with "wall street journal" reporter about what the federal government is doing to address the u.s. deficit and the future of recommendations of a bipartisan deficit commission. then, scott worden from the u.s. institute of peace discusses president obama's trip to afghanistan. then later, dave leventhal has details about the publicly disclosed personal finances, assets and investments of

live senate coverages on c-span 2. the house returns on tuesday at 12:30 p.m. eastern with general speeches. legislative work begins at 2:00 p.m. among pending items, a continuing resolution for the omnibus bill. live coverage of the house is on its peace -- is on c-span. > >> this week on a "newsmakers," senator carl levin. >> this week, the senate voted not to proceed with the repeal of the 1993 don't ask/don't tell law, which bars openly gay people from serving in the military. there is now a freestanding repeal of the don't ask/don't tell law. people are asking how that will happen. amendment to other proposals in the government? >> harry reid will use rule 14 which will put that directly on the calendar. then he will try to bring up the calendar. i think he wants to try that. he very much supports the repeal. i think that is probably the best for to do it. " again, that is subject to filibuster. -- again, that is subject to filibuster. the don't ask/don't tell as part of the defense bill. setting the policy in place was authorityhe defense of 4 bill. >> to

eastern time over on c-span 3. the national commission on fiscal responsibility and reform, the final commission proposal. there will be a vote on friday. live today and, 9:30 a.m., c- span 3. to our topic to the -- for the first part of the journal, jobless benefits have expired. one of the many headlines, the money section of "usa today." millions to lose jobless checks. the longer-term impact at the end of the month, about 2 million people. they point out that a motion by senator jack reed, democrat from long island, fell short. here is a short back and forth from the floor of the senate on all of this. >> the effectiveness of the various techniques to provide assistance and stimulate demand in the economy. and they found that unemployment insurance is far away the most effective form. much more effective than tax cuts to the wealthiest. the estimate, the cbo, that for every dollar of unemployment compensation benefits that we in jack in the economy, we get $1.90 of economic activity. >> we have to provide that c

eastern here on c-span. friday on c-span, the no labels national leadership meeting. the group was founded by former george w. bush speech writer david frum. the meeting included getting citizens involved in politics led by a newark mayor cory booker. that is friday at 8:15 a.m. here on east -- cspan. our as a republican congressman john shattuck is retiring this year after 60 years in the u.s. house. republican dan quayle, the son of former vice president dan quayle, was elected. we spoke with congressman shaddig about his congressional career and his future. this is about 30 minutes. >> john shaddig will be leaving congress after 16 years. how are you different than the one that came in all those years ago? >> somewhat change. i came in believing we could change the world, thinking that we could turn this town around. perhaps i was way too idealistic. it is a very difficult town to change. power in this town is wielded by a various people and it is held jealously and people were to hold on to that power 24-7. in some ways, i recognize that it takes constant work and

eastern today on c-span. later, former "new york times" editor for a conversation on the changing nature of responsibility in an era of new media. >> without the new s.t.a.r.t. treaty ratified by the senate, we do not have a verification method to ensure that we know what the russians are doing. when you have uncertainty in the area of nuclear weapons, that is a much more dangerous world to live in. >> find out more about the expired s.t.a.r.t. treaty with russia, what it might accomplish, as well as its history online at the c-span video library. it is washington your way. >> coming up later, attorney general eric holder will lead a news conference of the financial fraud financial task force. live coverage from the justice department and 30 p.m -- at 10:30 a.m. eastern. in the meantime, hemlines and your phone calls from this morning's "washington journal ." but this look at "the wall street journal" reporting on this proposed deal. our question for you this morning, do you think this would make a good compro

c-span networks, now available in more than 100 million homes. created by cable, provided as a public service. >> tonight, primetime on c-span, a discussion on the role of limited government. that is followed at 9:30 by c- span's " q &a"which is followed by a discussion on redistricting of whether class and not race should be used when redrawing congressional boundaries. officials from majority bush and obama administration talk about being women in the national security field. this took place at the harvard kennedy school of government. this is about one hour 15 minutes. minutes. >> good evening. it is an honor to welcome three remarkable public servants who are also great role models for students on how thinking individuals can have impact on issues of war and peace. president obama was last week in india. he praised the founding leader. ghandi' observation that is seared in my soul, i [unintelligible] our guest tonight demonstrate in their lives the fact tha hard-headed analysis is not incompatible with an empathetic haert. our speaker is the third ranking official at the department of defense. to the conflict in pakistan from china, to haiti,

it is all searchable on our c- c-span.org.-- c-span got bore it is all searchable on our c- span 2 library. >> no changes on the political landscape. this is 40 minutes. journal" continues. host: robert groves, director of senses. . "usa today" headline. the subheading is, the nation sees the slowest growth, 9.7%, since the great depression. why? guest: if you look at many decades of the last hundred years, like a lot of developed countries in the world we are gradually reducing the rate of growth. still growing but the rate is slowing. two exceptional decades -- the decade of the great depression had the lowest overall growth rebid, then the decade of the 1950's that saw the baby boom had the huge growth rate. you take bid two points out, gradually reducing. a 9.7 over the past 10 years. we are still growing. the why of that generally believed to be the combination of the aging of the population -- as we see in this society, but also the lower fertility rate of developed countries. all the countries are experiencing immigration but the net effect is the slowing of growth. host: in the gro

country and one of the most powerful christian symbols in this country. >> listen to the argument on c- span radio. >> we provide coverage of politics, public affairs, nonfiction books, and american history. it is all available to you on television, radio, online, and on social media networking sites. and we take c-span on the road with our digital bus and local content of vehicles. created by cable, provided as a public service. >> "washington journal" continues. host: mr. williams, the washington post has a headline? -- the washington post has a headline -- guest: when he was running for the president -- he is not going to take over. his role will be running the communications division of the white house. but he will be doing so with much more of an eye toward the narrative, for bursting the president out of the so-called so he isuse bublble involved with our reach. supposedly having rahm emanuel as chief of staff because he and the david axelrod were all about working with the congress to do the behind-the-scenes politics necessary to get some of these efforts to achieve, notably health c

today on c-span 2, join our conversation with salman rushdie. first, what doest w. bush's appearance. it will be followed by a round- table discussion. and president jimmy carter looks back at his presidency. fine schedule information online at booktv.org. >> if i had to put my money on an outcome, peace in iran will be brought up that -- brought new ruler and dictator. john barnes -- john burns on c- span's "q & a." >> joining us for "newsmakers" is james bullard. we have a lot to talk about. i will let scott taken from here with the third question. >> the labor report showed a huge blow to job growth. the unemployment rate increased to 9.8%. does that change your perception of the recovery in this country? >> it was a weaker dollar to report that we would have liked. it is just one number. it is disappointing. hopefully, we will get better jobs numbers going forward. i will say that i think the jobs report was out of context from some of the other numbers we have seen on the economy, which seemed to indicate a little bit more strength. particularly, the holiday se

on c-span. icanh, c-span 3's history tv continues with nixon's solicitor general robert brok, and his reaction -- bork and his reaction to the so- called smoking gun tape. and historian richard francis on why one of the judge's of the salem witch trial recanted his guilty verdict. telling the american story every weekend. seeing the complete schedule online at c-span.org/history. >> "washington journal" continues. host: congressman jim jordan is a republican of ohio and just recently elected as the chairman of the republican study committee for the 112th congress. congratulations. guest: thank you. host: first of all, what is the republican study committee and what is your agenda? guest: they have been around for a number of years. it's the conservative caucus on capitol hill. i like to tell people we are supposed to be the conservative conscious for republicans in the nation's capital. our job is to make sure republicans act like republicans. dick army has an appropriate line. he says, when we a

eastern here on c-span. wednesday, president obama signs the repeal of the 17 year-old of don't ask, don't tell policy on gays and lesbians in the military. you can see the signing ceremony from the interior department wednesday at 9:15 a.m. eastern on are contained in that were, c-span3. chichen listen to historic supreme court decisions on c- span ready. saturday, the constitutionality of christmas decorations on public property. to do the nativity scene is one of the most powerful religious symbols in this country, the most powerful religious -- christian symbols in this country. >> listen nationwide on xm channel 132, an online. >> the fcc released new rules for internet providers and content distribution practices. bailey hutchison made remarks about the new regulations. this is 15 minutes. >> later today, access informatn on the internet. concerned. the internet has transformed our society, our economy and the very way we communicate with others. it served as a remarkable platform for innovation at the

eastern on c-span. >> the c-span networks provide coverage of politics, public fairs, nonfiction booksd american history. it's all available to you on television, online and social media networking sites and find our content any time through c-span video library and we take c-span on the road with our digital bus and local content vehicle bringing resources to your community. it's washington your way, c-span networks. now available in more than 100 million homes, created by cable, provided as a public service. >> this month the president and michelle obama welcome the 2010 conedy center honories to the white house. each year the kennedy center awards five performers and artists for their contributions to america's culture. this year honories or oprah winfrey, paul mccartney, singer and songwriter meryl haggard, composer and lear sift jerry herman and adancer, choreographer and director earl t. jones. this is half an hour. ♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states and mrs. michelle obama. [playing "hail to the chief"] >> thank you! thank you! thank you, ev

eastern here on c-span. on c-span christmas eve, speaker of the house nancy pelosi and other members of congress like the capitol christmas tree. president obama and the first family attend the pageant of peace. christmas day, a former british prime minister tony blair and author christopher hichens on the role of religion. garrison keeler talks about humor in public life. sandra day o'connor and david souter discuss life on the high court. >> this weekend, we visit the museum of the confederacy in richmond, va. and find that many of today's christmas traditions, including santa claus and decorating homes and trees began during the civil war. also, from the nixon presidential library, former astronaut frank borman on the early space program and his role as liaison to the white house for the apollo 11 lunar landing. and anita blair, director of the eleanor roosevelt piper's project reveals the first lady. see the complete schedule online. you can also press the c-span alert button and have our schedule e-mail

eastern on c-span. >> this weekend on c-span, we visit the museum of the confederacy in richmond, va., and find many of today's traditions began during the civil war. also, from the nixon presidential library oral history project, former astronaut frank borman on his role in the early space program. and the director of the eleanor roosevelt papers project. see the complete schedule online at c-span.org/history, or have the schedule emailed to you. >> russian television reported the start vote in their "russia today" program. this is 20 minutes. >> hello, thank you for being with us. it is now 11:00 p.m. in moscow. within the last minute, the top of the hour, news coming through that in fact the senate has finally approved a new start nuclear arms reduction treaty with russia, after months of intense partisan wrangling on capitol hill. the voting in the end is up 71 votes out of 100 senators. it needed 67 to pass. it seems to the ap news agency that has got through. let's bring our correspondents into the story from over the atlantic. we have catherine in moscow, but we go first to was

. >> we will be able to watch those proceedings, right, mark, on c-span? >> >> reporter: live coverage on c-span, 10:00 a.m. >> mark, thanks very much. mark sayer in san francisco. >>> an ominous warning head of today's special session of the state legislature. ugly cuts are coming. that's the word from governor schwarzenegger' spokesperson. today lawmakers will get down to business with a budget trying to agree on a way to close the $6 billion deficit. yesterday assemblywoman thee own a mall talked to cbs 5 about the governor's plan. >> we probably know what his cuts are going to be and he's already foretold that they're going to be drastic, ugly, nasty cuts. so i think for us we want to see what our next governor is going to do. he is going to be there for the next four years. we want to see what his plan is short term and long term and work with him. >> governor-elect jerry brown will be taking over for governor schwarzenegger in about a month. >>> time now 4:35. the parents of an antioch toddler shot and killed on his second birthday are due in court to

eastern on c-span 2. >> the c-span network provides coverage of public affairs and american history. it is all available to you on television, radio, online, and social media networking sites. find our content any time through the video library. we take c-span on the road with our digital bus and local content vehicle. we bring the resources to your community. is washington your way. the c-span networks are now available in more than 100 million homes. provided by cable services as a public service. juan williams was a guest on "washington journal." this is 35 minutes. host: mr. williams, there is a headline about president obama launching a charm offensive. is this the strategy going into next year? >> i think it has to do with the fact that the one running the president's campaign when he was running for the presidency is not going to take over. i guess his role will be running the communication division of the white house. i think he will be doing that with an eye to the narrative, getting the president's message out, bursting him out of the white house public so that he is much mo

eastern on c-span. republican bill huizenga will proceed mr. hoekstra. we spoke to him about his expectations. this is just under 25 minutes. >> bill huizenga is joining us this morning, and elected on november 2. he is joining us from grand rapids michigan. you will be taking over from your old boss, peter hoekstra. how would you be different from him? >> good morning . on the substantive side, there will be very little difference. i was one of his policy advisers. i dealt to the integration of issues back here in michigan with what was happening in washington. you will not see a whole lot of difference in our voting. it is a style thing. i am a different person. >> he is known for the legacy of his reign on the intelligence committee. does that interest you? what will be your focus? >> that would be very interesting to me. i was working for him when 9/11 happened in 2001. that sharpened the nation's focus obviously. that is a little bit of my background, for a policy and concentration in latin-american history and politics. i have travelled quite a bit.

the house is on c spec -- c-span and the senate on c-span2. we may see some lame duck action. we will talk about these issues with congressman bill pascrell, democrat from new jersey will be on at 8:30, but after this break another member of the house, republican from colorado, mike coffman, from the armed services committee. we will be right back. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> a history of women serving in the u.s. armed forces, and the life of lutheran pastor and allied spy executed following a failed plot to execute hitler. and on "afterwards" former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff on his new book, without hesitation, odyssey of an american warrior. find a complete schedule at book tv.org and sign up to get the schedule e-mail directly to your end up -- in box. this sunday on c-span, in her first televised interview the newest supreme court justice elena kagan on the confirmation process, her adjustment to the court and her relationship with chief justice john roberts. unprecedented

if you are the same person in church or in the grocery store or on c-span or when you are talking in front of a chamber of commerce like they did this morning, they get a sense of who you really are. >> you said you will be serving on the financial services committee. what is the first thing you want that committee to do? >> obviously, there is reform issues that are coming up. there is the dodd-frank bill that is talked about. i am looking forward to german baucus -- chairman baucus who will set a bad agenda. -- will set that agenda. professional investors have been contacting me and talking to me about what their experiences are in dealing with regulations that we have. first and foremost, i will be in a learning mode and looking at what subcommittees' we will be on that will be the next big issue. >> will you be serving on any other committees? >> no, financial-services is considered and 'a' committee. energy and commerce, ways and means, appropriations, and financial services. what we will do is serve only on that committee but then have some of subcommittee assignments. incomingy

watched house coverage on c- span. and coming up this hour, an update on the national deficit commission's recommendations with congressman xavier becerra, who serves on the panel. then congressman kevin brady on expiring bush tax cuts and the debt commission report. later, robert atkinson of the information technology and innovation foundation discusses new technology and the economy. from the nation's capital, this is "washington journal." >> i do know there is no turning back now. the era of debts denial and consequences are over. each of you, i think, can take enormous pride in that. together i think we have started an adult conversation that will dominate the debate. until the elected leadership here in washington does something real. >> the denizens of darkness. i think the workers of the dark arts, and the words of harry potter. those are the groups waiting out there in the temples around the city to shred his baby to bits. and they are ready. they have been waiting for a long time to to this one to pieces. [capt

eastern here on c-span. >> coming up on january 2, c-span's documentary, the supreme court, home to america's highest court. see inside the historic building and the beautiful places only available the justices and their staff. and hear from the cournt justices including our conversation with newest justice kagan. that's sunday, january 2 here on c-span. >> this weekend, q & a continues saturday and sunday with interviews from london. saturday, the labor party's diane abbot on the government's plans for budget cuts as well as her experiences as a minority in parliament. sunday, comparing the british and american fomples of government as we talk with -- forms of government as we talk with our guests. q & a this saturday and sunday night at 8:00 on c-span. >> it is a three-day holiday weekend on book tv starting friday morning at 8:00 eastern. the latest nonfiction title with authors including jimmy carter, rick atkinson, and on afterwards, jane smiley on the man who changed the world though few have heard of him. the man who invented the computer. see the complete holiday schedule at booktv.or

and one learns from books. c-span there's one here, and my french is not very good and i'll get to the page that i wanted to ask you about because i think it was talking about a fellow, i'm not sure i pronounced this right, it's bernard henri levy? a french philosopher who had a book. what was the purpose of this one? >> guest: first of all, we have to say that levy is a philosopher/rock and roll star. i mean this -- france is >> guest: of efforts to get nato bombings started, one of the most critical passages in this all of american foreign policy since the end of the cold war was this today. and that night she gave a dinner party for us while we waited to see if nato and washington would start the bombing which we had strongly recommended. and we were jumping up and down getting up and down from the table all night long on the phone to washington, to brussels, to saw grab. and levy was there, and he witnessed it, and he wrote about it in an extremely witty and funny way about ambassador hairyman with her secret smil

those are some of the latest headlines on c-span radio. >> this month, for the first time on television, c-span 3's american history tv is showing interviews from the nixon presidential library oral history project. sir david frost and his 1977 interviews with richard nixon. also airing this weekend, from harry s. truman library, a discussion of americans containment policy after world war ii, threat of the cold war and the wars in iraq and afghanistan, then special: -- the head of rare books and special collections of the library of congress on the federalist papers. see the complete schedule online at c-span.org/history, or you can press the c-span alert button and have the schedules e- mail to you. american history tv, telling the american story every weekend only on c-span 3. >> "washington journal" continues. host: janet tavakoli, derivatives and securities analyst outspoken about her views about what happened to our economy in 2008 and what the government response has been. you are here in town specifically to talk with people about fannie mae and freddie mac. the needs of audienc

an accountant anytime on c- span's video library. -- find our content any time on c-span's video librarywashington your way -- the c-span network is now available in more than 100 million homes. created by cable, provided as a public service. >> every week and on c-span3, experience american history to be starting -- every weekend on c-span3, experience americans in history tv -- american history tb. visit museums, historical sites, and college campuses as top history professors and leading historians delved into american past. that is all we can come up every weekend -- all weekend, every weekend on c-span3. >> "washington journal" continues. our next guest is here to talk to us about the dream act. what is it? guest: there has been an issue by partisans to force enforcement by any means necessary on an immigration -- on immigration. this has been going on for decades. there is a big push to promote amnesty. but having the unsuccessful at pass an amnesty, which the call comprehensive -- having been unsuccessful at passing an amnesty legislation, they call that comprehensive immigration

c-span: you spent a lot of time on--not a lot of time, you spent a chapter on television... >> guest: right. c-span: ...and media and the water cooler effect. what's that? >> guest: well, the water cooler effect. people say that if--you know, we all watched "survivor," we can get together around the water cooler and that's--that's almost as good connections as--as if we, you know, were--were connecting over the back fence. but i don't find any evidence that that's true, actually. i think that enter-- entertainment television, especially commercial entertainment television, is really lethal for civic connection. i always have to phrase the point carefully when i'm talking about television to say commercial entertainment television, because i know from news statistics, the watchers of c-span and--and--and some of the other news programs are among the--the most civic people in the america. they're also on average older than the rest of americans. and there--that's--there--they represent really civic america. but, unfortunately, that's not the--most people in america don't watch those sor

you have -- you may be saw their event on c-span. talking about their efforts in just a few minutes. albany, georgia. wallace on the democrats' line. caller: am i on the air? host: you are, go ahead, sir. caller: i am on social security. 64 years old. i work ever since i was 9 years old. it went through all different kinds of different hard jobs. anyway, i do not feel you should raise the retirement age on social security. i only get $1,100 a month, and when i go to the doctor i have no insurance -- they claim i get too much money from social security. i can't hardly make it. host: don't raise the age of medicare? caller: they should raise the taxes on the filthy rich because i can look at some laypeople that are getting filthy rich and becoming millionaires and talking about the president. making $40 million down talking on the present. in need to raise taxes on the filthy rich people like ridge limbaugh, doing all the talking, he is a billionaire. orlando, florida. democrats' line. amir, go ahead. caller: thank you for having me on.

eastern on c-span. >> the c-span networks provide coverage of politics, nonfiction books, and american history. it is all available on -- on- line and through our networks. and we take c-span on the road with our digital bus and local content vehicles. is washington your way. the c-span networks from an hour available in more than 100 million homes. rated by cable and provided as a public service. -- created by cable. host: welcome back. we are joined by bill bennett. like to talk about on this new year's eve. -- a lot to talk about on this new year's eve. let's look at the spending budget, which is the next big battle that this congress will be facing. what is going to happen? guest: i do not know, but i understand that wednesday, the session will start with a reading of the constitution. i think john vader is going to read the constitution to set 8 -- john boehner is going to read the constitution to set a standard, if you will. but then the challenge will be to look at spending. we had a young staffer at empower america who came to work with jack kemp and me in the 1990's. we though

live coverage here on c-span. the senate is debating the bill continuing the bush administration pass a tax cuts with extension of long-term jobless benefits. senate leaders are working for -- on an agreement for a vote today and if they are not able to strike a deal the vote will take place tomorrow. live coverage on c-span2. world leaders today are offering tribute to richard holbrooke, a diplomat who worked on afghanistan and engineered an end to the bosnian war. he died in washington following surgery after a tear in his own order -- a order. president obama called mr. holbrooke a true giant of american farm policy and former president clinton said richard holbrooke save lives, restored peace and secure hope for people run the world. he was 69. . joining us on the phone is american strategies program director at new america foundation joining us to talk about the death of mr. richard holbrooke who died last night after surgery. i just wanted to begin with a quote in "the washington post" on his death. the very

this weekend at 8:00 on c-span. tonight and tomorrow >>. middle and high school students, as you work in your documentaries, here are a few tips from our judges. >> one thing i look for when watching your videos is you, the students. i want to see you and your personality and that helps make your video stand out from the rest. >> what i like to see most in thecam and -- in this to cthe sm entries is your interest. if you are not interested, then we might not be there. >> 1 tie-breaker lester was a requirement on using cspan video. i am looking for videos where people have looked at the cspan of video and used to the elements that were most important to tell a compelling story. >> for all the rules, go to students tocam.org. this morning, the cato institute with a line by line analysis of the federal budget and recommendations for cuts. then, democratic national committee board member discusses the future of the democratic party and president obama's relationship with rank-and-file democrats. later, the editor of kipling years of finance will

c-span 3 a conversation on the future of afghanistan and sending more troops next summer. >> this sunday on c-span in her first televised interview, elena kagan. an unprecedented conversation. coming up on c-span. >> form r cia director michael heyeden talks about terrorist threats around the world. these remarks are about 40 minutes. -- why don't we go ahead? thanks everyone for staying till the final word of the date given by general michael hayden. he really deserves no it tradition. is the former director of the central intelligence agency, responsible for the plans and capabilities of america's adversaries to produce timely analysis for decision makers and conducting covert operations to thwart terrorist such as a birds we've talked about today. i am going to turn the floor over to him and he needs no further introduction. and we've always his final concluding remarks and observations about today's events. it is a great pleasure to have general haig in here today. thank you, sir. -- general hayden here today. >> thank you for letting me be part of an impressive gathering of a highly regarded

it was featured this past weekend on c-span radio's landmark supreme court cases. hear the oral argument on the seas and radio website at cspanradio.org. we have more live programming coming up on c-span. later, former "the new york times" editor clark hoyt will join the nbc news washington bureau chief to talk about the changing nature of journalistic responsibility in an era of the media. live coverage begins at 6:25 p.m. eastern on c-span. >> middle and high school students, as you work under documentaries for the student competition, here are a few tips. >> one thing i look for when watching your videos is you, the student. i want to see you and your personality which helps make your video stand out from the rest. >> what i like to see most in the student entries are a real investment and care in the topic that you will be telling us about. be sure to be interested in what you are telling us. if you are interested, chances are we probably will not be either. >> 1 tie-breaker for me a lot last year was the requirement on using c-span video. i want to find videos

eastern here on c-span. >> this weekend on "after words," noah feldman. now the people who began their tenure as friends and up as scorpions. book tv alerts in your in box. >> the supreme court is being offered to c-span viewers at a special price. it has a discount of more than 75% off of the original price. it is the first book to tell the story of the supreme court through the eyes of the justices themselves. it includes current and retired supreme court justices. it includes sandra day o'connor and sonia sotomayor. it is rich with history and tradition with 16 pages of photographs be telling the history of the court. it is a must for anyone interested in the supreme court. be sure to use the promo code c- span at checkout. place your order by december 15 to receive your order in time for holiday gift-giving. >> new orleans judge thomas proteous is the first to be impeached in many years. watch at the c-span video library. it is washington your way. >> next a panel discussion on al qaeda and terrorism around the world. it is presented by the jamestown f

eastern on c-span. >> and our guests on "newsmakers" this week is congressman ron paul of texas, justmed the chair of subcommit on monetary policy. he's joining us from the capital. thanks to both on of you. before we get to that, congressman paul, i wanted to ask you a political question. if in fact this tax package does go through how is it going to affect us? >> it has really split a lot of the conservative. i am in favor, although i don't want taxes to go up. we don't know what it will be in the final vote. i don't think this can be the litmus test to decide whether or not the new congress in the house will be considered at fault. i think this remains to be seen. >> let's turn to the new congress and your questions. >> dr. paul, i first wanted to start off, what do you hope to accomplish as chairman, and what does it mean to you as someone that wants to end the central bank? >> i will continue to do it. i have been talking about the danger of central economic bank since the 1970's. the book is modest and i explain the fallacies. i don't talk the individuals especially since 1971 a

and we take c-span on the road with our digital bus local content vehicle, bringing our resources to your community. washington your way, the c-span networks, now available in more than 100 million homes, created by cable and provided as a public service. >> "washington journal" continues. host: at our table, senator tom harkin, democrat from iowa, welcome. we want to begin with what president obama said at his news conference yesterday on why he negotiated with republicans and what they came up with on this tax-cut deal. we will show that to you and yours and we will get a response. >> this notion that somehow we are willing to compromise too much reminds me of the debate we had during health care. this is the public option debate all over again. so, i pass a signature piece of legislation where we finally get health care for all americans, something democrats have been fighting for for 100 years, but because there was a provision in there that they did not get, that would have affected may be a couple million people, even though we got health insurance for 30 million people and the

eastern on c-span. >> you're watching c-span. every morning is "washington journal," a live program about the news of the day. during the week, watched the u.s. house and our continuing coverage of the transition to the new congress. every week night, a congressional hearing on -- hearings and policy forums. you can see our signature programs on the weekends. "the communicator's," prime minister's questions from the house of commons. it is all searchable on c- span.org on our video library. >> now, the launch of a new organization that describes itself as a movement to unite americans of all political affiliations. it is called no labels, and organizers say it will expand to all 435 congressional districts in the coming years. with msnbc's joe scarborough and former presidential adviser david gergen, and former senators evan bayh and joe manchin, this is about an hour. >> let's bring out our panel, shall we? >> say something. >> good morning, everybody. >> are you right here? >> there should be four of t

eastern on c-span. every weekend on c-span 3, experience american history tv, starting saturday at 8:00 a.m. eastern. 40 hours of people and events telling the american story. here historic speeches by national leaders and eyewitness accounts of events that shaped our nation. visit museums, historical sites and college campion's -- campus as as top professors and leading historians build and to america's past. american history to be, all weekend, every weekend, when c- span 3. >> "washington journal" continues. it so our guess armstrong williams is a readiness to be talks -- talk-show host and columnist. -- host: our guest is armstrong williams, talk-show host income of this. you have a recent piece called "finding fiscal religion." looking at the bush era tax cuts and the deal president obama cut to extend them with republican leadership in congress, and you say this is an interesting exercise to return to the debate and analyze some of the reasons given for not supporting the measure. what do you think

that's next on c-span. after that, the head of the national counterterrorism center talks about the effect of the release of government documents by wikileaks having on counter- terrorism efforts. house armed services committee chairman ikes skelton lost his bid for reelection this november. he talks about his time in congress. on tomorrow's "washington journal," we would get an update on the national deficit commission recommendations. kevin brady on the expiring bush tax cuts and the debt commission report. later, robert atkinson discusses a new technology and the economy. "washington journal" each morning at 7:00 a.m. eastern. later in the day, the u.s. house will decide whether to censure new york congressman charles rangel for financial and fund- raising misconduct. it could issue the punishment of a reprimand. watch gavel-to-gavel coverage of the house on c-span. salman rushdie is on "in-depth" it this sunday. he will talk about his nonfiction work. join our 3 our conversation sunday at noon eastern on