i think that's happening for a lot of people. >> sreenivasan: david haglund, thank you. >> woodruff: that's a cue if i ever heard one to alert you to the newshour's own podcasts. you can listen to the full program, or download segments like shields and brooks. simply to to itunes and subscribe. >> ifill: again, the major developments of the day. c.i.a. director john brennan defended his agency against claims of torture. but he also said the ultimate value of the tactics used on terror suspects is unknowable. and a midnight deadline neared for avoiding another government shutdown. house republican leaders, and president obama, worked to overcome opposition to a $1.1 trillion spending bill. >> woodruff: on the newshour online, we continue our 12 days of gift-giving. yesterday we gave you a special holiday recipe, and today, we've prepared your very own newshour voicemail that you can download onto your phone. find that gift, and all the others, on our homepage. all that and more is on our web site, pbs.org/newshour. >> ifill: and that's the newshour for tonight. on friday, we explore d