kramer and what preparations he should be taking to make sure that we draw a hard line? >> sure. mr. kramer is a retired senior executive who had worked very extensively in the -- particularly in the wireless business. his career involved very significantly service initially in pacific telesis which then spun off his wireless business to a company called air touch which eventually was acquired by vodafone. mr. kramer, during almost all of this time, then, followed the progression of the company and the assets as they were sold. he spent a good many years of his career as a senior executive for vodafone. he spent about five years as i understand it in the united kingdom and in the netherlands involved in vodafone's extensive international activities. as a member of the executive -- he has been a member of the executive committee of the gsm association, which is the largest international wireless association, has spent some time since his retirement teaching at harvard, at the harvard business school, and he is about to undertake, i believe, teaching assignments at ucla at the busi

kramer has talked about. something you ascribe to as well. is it not? >> what is something i subscribe to? we have a separate banking methodology. the bank strength methodology. >> fine. okay. now, have you any view on -- well, let me track back a bit. what were your banking ratings in 2007 before the crash? how were you rating the uk economy? how good was your outfit? what was it assessing as the systemic risk in the uk banking system? >> of the uk's rating, was aaa in 2007. >> but were it good? as it turned out your rating was -- >> i'm sorry. i don't understand the question. >> what do you think -- are you aware there's been a financial crash in the united kingdom? what i sent you, what was your rating prior to that crash of the uk banking system? >> we don't have a single rating for the uk's banking system. we don't -- >> you don't? >> our methodology does not take a system and give it a rating. we only apply ratings to individual institutions which is why i found it difficult to answer the question about the rating for the system as a whole. >> rig

. >> there is kramer would be tom kramer. he was nipping at michael phelpps heels two months ago. it's what he did prior to that that had people talking. >> i beat him which is one of the coolest things. >> and they know what an amazing athlete he is. word got out, wait a minute, you beat michael phelpps. you know? >> kramer is peaking at the right time. >> this weekend setting two records and extinguished a 29-year-old record in the butterfly prelim. all of this success has him thinking london olympics but not for the united states. >> there is almost my family lives in israel. i visit there a month, half a month. it's almost like my home away from home. i'd be just as proud either way. >> he understands making the israel hi olympic team are better than u.s. one this, weekend the championships in hungary will be the personal trial. >> this is to improve. >> and. >> that is the best outcome. lowest beg and last place, i don't care. it's so great to go. >> in santa clara abc 7 sports. >> they'll be thrilled. >> not a lot of pe

kramer. there is a fundamental principle that is actually recognized in the european, existing european regulatory framework and that is actually maintaining the independence of the rating opinions, and those rating opinions are based on criteria and methodologies developed by each of the rating agencies. so it is a fundamental principle to ensure, you know that we think is -- important to respect and maintain the independence of the rating opinions, and not undermine that inadvertently or otherwise as a result of approval process with respect to what we do. >> if they went ahead with this, what would you do? >> that's a question i generally couldn't answer. that's a question above my pay grade. >> we would work according to the european regulation. >> i just really want to as a final question, ask all of you, do you understand why politicians and regulators are so concerned about the credit rating agent's impact on government policy and, you know, specifically nicolas sarkozy was quoted in t

kramer. jus. there was a fundamental principal that is recognized in european -- existing european regulatory framework. that is maintaining the independence of the rating opinions. and those ratings opinions are based on criteria methodology developed by each of the rating agencies. it is important to respect and maintain the independents of other rating opinions and not undermine that inadvertently or otherwise as a result of approval process with respect to -- the aspects of what by do. >> if we went ahead with this, what would you do? >>. >> that's a question i generally couldn't answer. that's an answer above my pay grade. >> we would work according to the europe ran regulation. >> i want to ask a final question. do you understand why the politicians and deregulators are so concerned about the credit rating agency's impact on government policy in and, you know, specifically nicolas sarkozy was quoted in the financial times the only thing he had to worry about was preserving the aaa. you're se

kramer just told us ratings are one thing and market another. which is the more important? >> i think the more important is the judgment made by the market in terms of, of course, the investors or potential investors who are choosing to lend to an entity or a national government, or choosing not to. and the terms in which that borrowing is extended. so many in respects i do think that the role of the rating agencies, to be frank, is overstated. partly because one of the strengths, one of the strengths of the rating system is its simplicity. the simple rating scale, which obviously you're aware of, and so if there's a positive or negative rating action, it's something which the media can report on very easily. but if a particular investor, you know, is taking a position in credit defaults, short markets or selling uk yields to buy german bonds or vice versa, that's something that is actually quite hard to communicate and not actually as transparent at the judgments being made by the rating agencies. so first and foremost, it's investors in the market deciding not the rating

say kramer or newman!his was a three minute video shown to the new jersey press association playing off the fact cory booker has done incredible things outside his work as mayor. he did save a woman from a burning building, like went in, tore away from his state trooper detailed and saved a woman that is where we saw the baby. the call. always one upping the governor. so it's good to see a republican and democrat at least having a little bit of fun even though they might not always agree on the major policy issues. >> it was pretty funny to watch. mark preston, thank you very much. nice to see you. >> thanks, randi. >>> kim kardashian made these shoes famous but you knew it was too good to be true right? come on. shoes that tone your butt and thighs by simply walking around in them? i don't think so. now the government is making skechers pay tens of millions of dollars back to its customers so you have to stay to hear what comedian bill santiago thinks about all this and so much more. they have names like

david kramer with freedom house. elections there. if you look at the elections unfold, how much are human rights coming into play with the egyptian people? guest: i was in cairo a little less than two weeks ago and egyptians are talking about the elections this ways they have never done before. they openly talk about politics and who they are going to vote for. that's a healthy development. so now egyptians think there's something at stake and they can make decision in but the result i think are going to represent a problem not just before eegyptians. two -- one who is a holdover from the mubarak era. those pushing for a more secular kind of figure, i think they are going to be very disappointed and will feel even disenfranchised as a result of these elections. host: as we look at the worst countries in human rights. guest: this won't surprise you. it's north korea and iran and china and they also site ooze beck stan and eck doirl new guinea. syria in the gross human rights eye abuses under the assaad regime. but even places like bel

kramer in connection with this assignment. a great deal of preparatory work has been done. a great more remains to be done. in our work the united states has the significant advantage of unanimity of purpose. we benefit from the fact that government officials of both parties, civil society, and the corporate sector all are committed to the preservation of the multi-stakeholder model. and the resolution which was introduced this week and which has been mentioned today, is a very important contribution to showing that unanimity. we look forward to continuing to work with the congress as we approach the wicket and other matters that involve internet governance. i appreciate the opportunity you are providing with this hearing to affirm the continuing value of our approach to internet governance. not just to u.s. citizens but to everyone in the world. i'd be pleased to respond to questions you might have. >> thank you. we appreciate the work you put into your testimony and the work you're doing for the country. we turn now to commissioner mcdowell. appreciate you being here and

kramer" and woody allen's "manhattan."you writing a book about our marriage? >> streep: will you leave me alone? >> safer: her range was astonishing. one year, a texan, karen silkwood. >> streep: let's not fight. >> safer: the next, danish in "out of africa." >> bror has asked me for a divorce. he has found someone that he wants to marry. >> safer: she wore spandex for "mamma mia," a nun's habit for "doubt," and a beard, playing a rabbi in "angels in america." >> streep: it always really bothers me when people imagine that characters that don't look like you, or have the same accent as you do, are far from you. the great actress sybil thorndike said, "i think we all have the germ of every other person inside of us." and i think we do. >> baroness thatcher, how are you feeling? >> safer: margaret thatcher is 86 now. her daughter carol has written openly about her mother's slide into the darkness of dementia. the film tackles the issue head on. did you have any concerns about showing this once remarkably vital woman having l

i have a radadio studio with frank kramer. i a podcast witthat. >> you are a binessman. >> what i have learned is there are no restrictions. it is not on the air so you say what you are feeling. the more honest you are, the more people like it. >> you dropped thehe f bomb several times. >> i would not do it here. >> you call the president a few names because -- >> indirectly ii did. >> indirectly? you called him an f'ing -- >> i should have said "do not pay ththeir fair share of taxes." >> you complained, saying -- >> i called connie west a jackass.s. >> the fcc is walking watching this show. >> he says they do not pay their fair share.. after a certain amount of money, the 2011 tax bracket $388,000 -- you have to pay 35%. in california, 11% state tax. that is 46% plus -- there is a reason they are going broke. then you have fica, on and on. >> because of all of the deductions -- >> t there is a diffeference. when warren buffett says my secretary is only paying 18% -- she is paying 18%% of her salary. he is paying 15% of his c

my name is carl kramer with the san francisco living wage coalition. i would like to open my comments from a quote from someone. our ability to make progress is directly connected to giving every family the dignity of a paycheck. these other words of our mid- year. it is inaugural address on january 8. thank you, mayor, for both of your thoughts on this subject, for having the budget town hall meetings. to involve, innovates come and invest. involving people in the political process, but also having a budget that involves the neediest people in san francisco fettered unemployed parents in the economy. when we have people that are working at a living wage, we create a healthier economy. that is what robert -- robert wright refers to as bottom-up economics. we have seen the trickle-down theories, and we now need to build an economy that serves the needs of the people. innovate. we need to have innovative ways of creating a path to a living wage and jobs. how can someone go from being in the welfare to work transition into a job that is a step and career

kramer, with the decisions that have been taken on the u.s. downgrade? does this -- it made a $2 million mistake in assessing the size of the u.s. budget deficit reduction plan? >> good morning. the u.s. downgrade in august last year was based on three main factors. the first one was the high level of debt. >> you're -- >> the answer is no. >> you don't accept? >> i don't accept that. >> i was about to accept what happened? >> what don't you accept of what was sent out by the assistant secretary for economic policy in 2011. what is it that you don't accept? >> okay. the $2 trillion. >> i'm not asking you if it was right to downgrade or not to downgrade. i'm just asking you about this doctors 1 trillion alleged error. >> the discussion was about which of the scenarios which were published by the congressional budget office which is an institution should be underlying the analysis. originally the s&p team was of the assumption and following the alternative scenario of the cbo, alternative fiscal scenario which in terms of expenditure trajectory did foresee

important role and announced earlier today by ambassador verveer, the incoming held of delegation terry kramer. i will confess i've known terry many years. worked together at airtouch. been good friends for many years and i could not be more pleased and confident of a successful outcome because of who i'm sure will be his excellent leadership. his leadership is important and helpful in addresses some of the questions raised to the first panel about the ability to create, inform, successful coalitions to be able to identify the issues. he has great experience not only in the telephone industry but also having worked and been very active internationally, he know what's it takes to bring people together and to be able to find that consensus that will be very important. i also want to recognize, of course, as you all have already done this morning the extraordinary work done by fcc commissioner robert mcdowell. he has been tireless and passionate and very focused on this issue in ways that have greatly served all of us and i personally and professionally am so pleased by his leadership to date. ha

kramer case that dealt with restrictive covenants that limited where african-americans could buy a home, so to get the federal government to weigh-in on the side. this was phenomenal. so you you get that kind of movement. you get the president's commission on civil rights which emerged out of these series of lynchings in 1946 where truman is just like enough already. we've got to do something. so you do get movement. you don't get it as far as it needs to go. and i think -- >> that would be legislation, is that what you mean? >> you would get it in terms of -- you weren't going to get anything via legislation because the southern democrats controlled about 63 of the key seats in congress. they weren't having it, so anything you were going to try to do legislatively, you weren't going to be able to get it through mississippi, louisiana, south carolina or georgia, alabama. they had that thing on lockdown, so it required the president to move around via executive orders. so you do get the executive order for desegregating the military as well as the federal bureaucracy. but desegregating t

kramer, with the decisions that have been taken on the u.s. downgrade? does s&p accept it made a $2 trillion mistake in assessing the size of the u.s. budget deficit reduction plan? >> good morning. the u.s. downgrade in august last year was based on three main factors. the first one was the high level of debt -- >> i'm just asking you very -- >> no, i come to that. the answer is no. we don't accept it. i don't accept it. >> okay. >> i was about to explain what happened. >> what don't you accept of what was set out by the assistant secretary for economic policy on 6 august 2011? what is it that you don't accept? >> okay. >> about the $2 trillion? i'm not asking you about whether it was right to downgrade or not. >> correct. >> first of all, i'm just ask you about this $2 trillion alleg allegeded error. >> right. the discussion with the treasury department in washington was about which of the scenarios, which were published by the congressional budget office which as nonpartisan institution, which be underlying the analysis. originally, the s&p team was o

on washington journal, our guests include daniel mekstroth from the manufacturer's alliance, david kramer, and mona charen. >>> life is incredibly precious and it passes by far too quickly. so during your time here, use all of your unique god-given talents to serve one another as that will be the true measure by which your life will be judged. follow the golden rule. >> memorial day weekend, watch commencement speeches on c-span, politicia politicians, white house officials, and business officials share their thoughts with the graduating class. saturday through tuesday. >>> the public policy center held a discussion on fact checking and the 2012 presidential election at the national press club in washington, d.c. journalists and political checkers examined claims made by and about former governor mitt romney and president bashar al assad barack obama. this portion of the event runs an hour. >> thank you, kathleen. thanks to all of you for sticking around for the final panel today. these are the guys who on the news side take these commercials and truth test them. and i think that's an imp

getting calls from folks on route 9 at kramer lane.here has been a collision east or south on rte. 9. look at the beltway. look at the beltway. it looks beautiful right now. marching along just fine between new hampshire avenue and the hospital. back inside. >> we will send things down with doug hill. >> the big plans? >> we are just when to hang out and enjoy some summer temperatures. summer will arrive this weekend. 90 degrees -- we are almost sure of that. let us go up to arlington. here are some low clouds. similar to yesterday. that will clear out before long. temperatures mild to start out. this will get you right through the weekend. temperatures near 70. 72 is a warmly to start the day in the district. and through the day, we will see a steady climb heading into the 80's. we will have a mix of cloud and son. a slight chance of a thunder shower this afternoon west of the blue ridge. the weakened -- here is how it is shaping up. hot and humid with sunshine. a slight chance of thunderstorms west of blue ridge. bella, memorial day