do melanie were kevin have questions for melody and miriam before we open up to the public? okay. let's open this up to the public to our live audience and our remote audience, and again we have got about ten minutes for questions, so if he will go to the microphone and we will start with a live audience. >> yes, i am from understanding government and i want to follow-up on melanie sloan's question and the major point that she raised which is that as you institute the training programs and try to move the government towards a more open stat there are always going to be acute questions that come up such as the one she described and i'm wondering with the panel's response would be to this question. what happens when a highly political issue is raised? isn't it possible still to have institutional inertia and internal mechanisms basically political reluctance to open up on things that are of urgent importance? as opposed to more traditional foia requests? thank you. >> who were you asking? >> she said your name. i think he was seen based on -- >> melanie pustay, is that you were aski

melanie sloan. i was wondering, if you are so much for ethics in congress, how come you did not hold congress accountable for the legal but they took to keep order in iraq and also the defense contractors continuing to steal our money and murdering our soldiers in iraq? guest: crew is an ethics group that focuses on house rules. this is a bit outside of our scope, but i think there are plenty of groups that have been interested in what members of congress are doing my thing that you should look to the american civil liberties union group for that. host: how was your group started? guest: we were started in 2003 because we thought members were not being held accountable for their conduct. at that time, we were dealing with tom delay. he was going unchecked for many years. when we came into being, we were able to write the complaint with a former texas congressman bur . host: how are you fund it? guest: we are funded by private donations -- i am blanking. mostly by private donations. people visit our

host: at the table now is melanie sloan, executive director for citizens for responsibility and ethics. i wanted to talk about congressional ethics in the earmarks. i wanted to first get an update on something that was created a couple of years ago. it is the office of congressional ethics. how was it first formed and how has it been operating? guest: it was formed as a campaign promise that nancy pelosi made when the democrats were campaigning on the culture of corruption. the house ethics committee was considered broken at the time the office of congressional ethics was greeted as a new body that would be more independent and investigate members of congress. right now they have no subpoena power. all they can do is to the investigation and forward it over to the ethics committee. the ethics committee has been flapping them back lately, so the office of congressional ethics is making an effort to hold them accountable, while the ethics committee is more interested in covering up. host: so what does this mean for health care they are conducted here in washington? guest: it is a mess. t

i am going to go to melanie. i got you in. melanie sloan. you been engaged in looking at the it m'aam, can you tell us about what you see as the positives and negatives of the last year? had been seen improvements in foia practice especially as regards to actually letting loose information? and in litigation outcome or the need to go to litigation. >> we aren't going to pay quite as rosy a picture as everyone else so far today. crew it spins hasn't been that different, i think the president has made great statements and the attorney general's memo is written it but we're not seeing that translate to the agency level not even at the department of justice. crew was engaged in a lawsuit for example against the department of justice for records of former vice president chaney's interview with the fbi and the valor plan wilson case and one said the administration changed the obama administration maintained the same position that the bush administration had which is they didn't want to have to produce it and relied on something that we now call th

melanie bloom. it's great to see you.deep vein thrombosis. march is dvt awareness month. she's here to discuss ways to prevent this potentially fatal condition. melanie, i don't think people get dvt very well. it's not something we will hear about often. tell us what it is, how common it is, what the risks are. >> i didn't get it either. i'd never heard of it till the night i got that horrible call. basically what dvt is is a blood clot. it's a clot that usually forms in the leg and it can become dangerous and even fatal as in david's case when that clot or piece of the clot breaks loose and hits the lungs. >> is it very common? because david, who was so beloved around here was a young man. healthy looking from the outside. is this a freak thing or something that's going on a lot. >> especially in the midst of a war to die from something inside of his own body. i've often called that clot the bomb that lied within his body. but it is common. i thought, too, this was a freak thing. but i learned that 2 million americans de

melanie alnwick is here wi what we need ton. >> infantino had the most. -- they love the convenience because of the closeness but they have to be used correctly. >> for everyone is rise, busy parents carried their webs -- babies in slippings and has regained popularity today. >> and i feel the baby is with me. >> reporter: dozens make baby slings and carriers. two of them, said the consumer product safety commission, have a serious defect. >> the infantino sling rider and the wendy bellisimo sling, they can't be used safely. >> reporter: in 2009, three infants died in those infantino bag sling-style carriers. >> if you have a child under four motion of age and have one of these swings, don't use it again. >> cpsc said the design can cause suffocation. >> the infant is deep in the slipping, as you can see and when you are wearing it, the fabric can close over the child. it's curved and almost c- shaped and that is putting the baby into a dangerous chen-to- chest position and this kinks their airway and makes it so they can't breathe. >> rogerson of baby-wearing educator, said there ar

melanie alnwick, fox 5 news. >>> question for you. how are you doing in your ncaa brackets? coming up next, we'll tell you about one teen who is still perfect. >> hard to believe. >> the caps gearing up for a huge showdown versus sid the kid and the pittsburgh penguins. spars we're with you when you're saving for your dreams. when you want a bank that travels with you. with you when you're ready for the next move. [ male announcer ] now that wells fargo and wachovia have come together, what's in it for you? unprecedented strength, the stability of the leading community bank in the nation and with 12,000 atms and thousands of branches, we're with you in more ways and places than ever before. with you when you want the most from your bank. [ male announcer ] wells fargo. together we'll go far. >>> good wednesday morning, everybody. dave ross here with your sports breakfast. tonight, simply put, it is not just another regular season hockey game between the caps and penguins because it is the caps and penguins! i think you're picking up what i'm putting down. that means ovi agai

melanie alnwick now with what you need to know. >> reporter: for centuries busy parents have carriedlings and the practice has regained popularity today. >> i feel like the baby is always right with me which i think makes her happier and makes my life easier. >> reporter: now dozens of companies make baby slings and carriers. two of them, says the consumer products safety commission, have a serious defect. >> with the infantino sling, they cannot be used safely. >> reporter: in 2009 three infacts died in those bag sling style baby carriers. >> what we want parents to know is if you have a child under four months of age and you have one of these slings, don't use it again. >> reporter: cpsc says the design can cause suffocation. >> the infant is very deep in the sling as you can see. when you're wearing it, the fabric can close over that child. and there's a problem with this bag's designed. it's very curved, almost c- shaped and it puts the baby in a very dangerous chin to chest position and it kinks their airway and makes it so that they can't breathe. >> reporter: a baby wearing ed

. >> and i'm melanie alnwick. in hours members of the house will vote on the health care bill and changes in the legislation. according to the numbers that came out on thursday from the congressional budget office, the bill will cost $940 billion over 10 years and extend coverage to 32 million more americans and lead to a $130 billion reduction in the federal deficit and a projected savings of $1.2 trillion over the second ten years. now house leaders decideto have an up or down vote on this. democrats need 216 votes to pass this. fox 5's jennifer davis has a look at 11th hour push. >> reporter: the president visits capitol hill saturday noon, urging democratic lawmakers help him usher in a new reform bill. >> don't do it for me, don't do it for the democratic party, do it for the american people. they're the ones who are looking for action right now. >> reporter: top leaders say they have lined up enough votes to pass the biggest health care reform in history. >> we are on the verge of making great history for th

melanie alnwick, fox 5 news. >> infantino wants customers to clip off part of the strap so the sling is destroyed an send the entire thing back to him. the company is offering a free replacement baby career or other items in exchange. if you need more information, go to myfoxdc.com and click on web links. >>> staying healthy later in life continue to get more expensive. fidelity investments estimates a couple retiring this year will need $250,000 to cover health care costs in retirement. that is up 4.2% from last year. the estimate factors in premiums, co-pays, deductibles and prescriptions. >> we like it think the fox 5 morning news is the greatest show on earth. >> but there can be only one and that title goes to ringling brothers and ban up and bailey circus. it is in town. it fee tears fun new twist this time around. holly is live in fair, with a preview. -- in fairfax with a preview. for the worst allergies, i want a product with the best decongestant. my choice islear: claritin-d. (announcer) nothing works stronger, faster, or longer to relieve your worst allergy symptoms, incl

melanie alnwick, fox 5 dmus. >> loudoun county -- fox 5 news. >> the loudoun county sheriff's officeth the f.b.i. >>> rest stops are reopening all over the state in virginia. eight reopened today including this one on i-66 in manassas. former governor tim kaine closed 19 stops last year to cut expenses. 11 more stops should be open by mid-april. vdot will use an emergency fund to operate the stops until the end of the fiscal year. >>> maryland governor martin o'malley today defended his state's attorney general over gay marriage. last month doug ganzler ordered state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. today on wtop radio opally said it was -- o'malley said it was the right thing to do. >> ... unions being entered into the district of columbia, there will no doubt be gay parents who will be raising their children and in order to make sure that those children have all of the protections and law, i think that maryland has to recognize unions entered into in other states. >> the governor says maryland agencies are already following that order. >>> just ho

money reporter melanie alnwick with what you need to know. >> reporter: the internet is a great placeok for work. some who thought they landed a perfect side job are finding out they are victims of fraud. how is this for a deal? you shop certain stores, fill out a survey about the experience and get paid for your time? it called mystery or secret shopping. it's a real job but not in some cases. >> tough think about the old saying if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. >> reporter: loudoun county police uncovered a scam that preys upon job seekers. >> with the internet access, it's just nationwide, worldwide. the opportunity for companies like this to set up these type of operations is probably hundreds of thousands of them throughout the nation. >> reporter: victims answer an online ad and think they have been hired to secret shop stores like walmart and money transfer services like western union. they get a check and are told to deposit the money into their account then wire a portion of it to the company. but the checks are fake and the victims are often out hundreds if no

[applause] did your mother melanie,? issue here? where is melanie? hello, melanie.d bloom is also with us. [applause] like i'm sure almost everyone in this room, i saw david lim reporting from iraq in 2003. i saw that loom mobile and i thought, man, who's a journalist of any real skills. and then when i heard i was nominated for this award, i read more about david bloom and i thought, if david bloom was alive today, alive with all that energy and drive and passion for telling stories, he'd probably be going in and out as afghanistan now. and all of us in this room who also go to afghanistan would have been writing into david bloom and would recast his charming david bloom way. but then i thought well, canadian made, if i saw david bloom in afghanistan to say, he would've what not to say hey buddy. you know, david bloom is an avid hockey player. too bad about the men's final in the olympics. but you know, david, we really, really wanted to win. david bloom reminds us all of the journalists who died covering the story, the people who died fighting in those wars and th

. >> i'm melanie, i'll be leasing the place. >> i've been the caretaker of this house for 50 years. you can kick me out. >> i wouldn't -- >> no worries, if you can escape from the nazis, you can handle anything. >> you escaped from the nazis? >> escaping from the nazis was the least of my worries. >> boy, you don't hear that very often. so what are you, like 100? >> i don't like you. >> larry: what's the premise of "hot in cleveland". >> three gals, wonderful gals, valley bertinelli, jane leev leeves -- they're not having any romance luck, so they decide to fly to paris. they're grounded in cleveland. as they try to get another flight all the guys are eyeing them and hitting on them. why are we spending all that money to go to paris when we're hot in cleveland. >> larry: you are the caretaker of the house they move into? >> i go along with the house. it's great fun, the girls are wonderful together. the chemistry is -- >> larry: you don't have to work, why do you keep doing this? >> it's such fun, larry. why should you stop something you like so much? my life, half animals, half sho

melanie is streaming live from baghdad with more. >> reporter: big changes from the u.s. military in the next five months, as they plan a rapid drawdown, and they are ending their combat mission. when i spent the day with general odierno, he was most passionate when he talked about the troops who have served here. >> general ray odierno starts with a morning briefing but a conference room is no substitute for firsthand knowledge. most days the general is out in the field. today, visiting a joint u.s. arab checkpoint near kirkuk, planning for reducing u.s. forces from 95,000, to 50,000 by september 1st. >> this could be more burden on the iraqi army and police to do more. >> he's drawing down now but odierno is best known for the buildup of troops in 2007, he advocated the surge strategy, knowing it might drive the death toll in u.s. higher. >> it was a terrible burden, having recommended that we conduct the surge. i knew when i did it was going to be difficult times ahead. >> odierno says he believed in the strategy and the soldiers themselves. >> this belief i have in th

melanie alnwick, fox 5 news. >> infantino wants the sling to be shipped back and the company is offeringping cart cover in exchange. for more information, go to myfoxdc.com and click on web links. >>> and illusions, clowns and elephants are some of the fun things you'll see at the zing zang zoom show at the patriot center starting tonight. this morning holly morris is there to learn about what it takes to be part of the ringles brothers and barnum and bailey circus. so far so good. you've been great. >> reporter: well, thank you. it takes a whole lot of energy to hang with these people that put on the circus. let me tell you, this is a show that is a notch above some of the ones in the past. they're always good but this one has something special but it has all of the elements you love about wringles brothers and that includes the elephants and libby morris. no relation, but i'll take you. thank you for getting up early with us. >> thank you. this morning we brought out asia. she's the diva of our show. >> reporter: that's good. because we only let divas put on our show. so she's perfect.

>> my teachers were karen maruyama, heather morgan, melanie graham. >> jimmy: i had michael mcdonald.matic theater and a friend said, "i'm going to go see a show at the groundlings." and the first show i saw was will ferrell, chris kattan, cheri oteri and this -- just like a -- a blockbuster group of people. blockbuster, is that right? >> jimmy: no, people say that. >> okay, blockbuster. [ laughter ] "all right, i'm gonna go with it." you know what i mean. >> jimmy: let's bring it become. >> so, on stage is will ferrell, chris kattan, dressed as priests playing checkers and all of a sudden chris kattan says, "um, i'm just going to put on some music." he gets up, he puts on the music, and it starts and it's like -- it's super, super sexual. he sits back down and they just continue playing checkers and then will ferrell looks at him and just goes, "this is a really good song." [ laughter ] and i saw that and i was like, "i need to do this." >> jimmy: i have to do this. >> i mean, i can't -- yeah. >> jimmy: nothing like the talent and improv and all that stuff. and cheryl hines as well,

. >> reporter: all accounts, the four government watch dog groups we consulted including melanie sloan'sesponsibility for ethics in washington, says william has not broken any laws but say he's a poster for everything wrong with how business gets done in washington. mr. lynn declined an interview with cnn. pentagon official who tried to discourage cnn from reporting this story issued a statement, saying that since returning to the pentagon deputy defense secretary lynn has not participated or sought to participate in any way whatsoever in any budget or contract decisions involving his former employer. the statement goes on to say that lynn has skrups youly adhered to ethics pledge and agreement but stated there is absolutely no evidence of any impropriety or conflict of interest by deputy secretary bill lynn in carrying out duties at the pentagon. but how did this lobbyist get back to the pentagon? in washington, government watch dogs, like steve ellis, say it's all about those revolving doors. >> and certainly the revolving door is still spinning. >> reporter: william lynn's first gover

. >> i'm melanie. i'll be leasing the place. >> i've been the caretaker of this house for 50 years.ut you can kick me out. >> i wouldn't -- >> no worries. if you can escape from the nazis, you can handle anything. >> you escaped from the nazis? >> escaping from the nazis was the least of my worries. >> boy, you don't hear that very often. so what are you, like 100? >> i don't like you. >> larry: what's the premise of "hot in cleveland". >> it's three gals, wonderful gals, valerie bertinelli, jane leeves and wendie malick. and they're all not having any action in los angeles, so they decide to fly to paris maybe for some romance. well, there's a plane problem, and they are grounded in cleveland. and as they walk through to get another flight, all the guys in the airport are hitting on them and eyeing them, and they say, why are we spending all that money to go to paris when we're hot in cleveland? >> larry: ah. and you are the caretaker of the house they live in? >> they moved into the house, and i kind of go along with the house. and of course i'm the proverbial pain in the ass. but

your anchor is melanie lawson. her attempt to reach across the anchor desk to a report, and things go horribly wrong. >> lean over here just a second. no, further, further, stick your hand out. it's time to get your opinion. oh, well. so much for that. go on with the weather. go on. >> and so long until tomorrow. this just in. these chairs have wheels. she was fine and the weather looked pretty good, too. as i mentioned this is a global phenomenon. to helsinki, finland, where the anchor chairs also have finnish wheels. [ speaking foreign language ] >> and so long until tomorrow. that is finnish news anchor kirsi halm putting the sink in helsinki. the show's director just lingers on her and her co-host. note to my director, if that happens to me, go to commercial and get a new job. finally to mexico city. now presenting mexican prison theater. 11 convicted criminals having the time of their lives. what do you mean, he left the control room? that might be, i don't know who he is supposed to be. anyway, this theater t

>> after melanie bluhm left she gave willie and i bunch of tips how to prevent deep vein thrombosis. you've got to do a lot of this kind of stuff. move around, joe. don't be just sitting there anymore. >> willie, what did you learn today? >> i'm just going to say it dylan's been telling me about his new lifestyle. he's not a morning man anymore. he lives like a french poet, joe. it's unbelievable. >> i love it because actually. >> mine's the poetry. >> chris, did you learn anything today about your old school? >> yeah. >> i learn that had syracuse was an utter disappointment. >> ouch. >> it sucked. >> you called them much worse. >> he said they sucked. >> sorry. >> everybody, have a great weekend. we've got a wonderful historic week. seriously we say it all the time here. keep calm. carry on. and don't give in to hate. willie geist, if it's way too early, what time is it. >> it's "morning joe." but right now it's time for the daily rundown"ing with chuck and savannah. >> they're going to run on a platform of repeal in november. you've been hearing that. and my attitude is go for it.

after that, melanie's loan -- melanie sloan lobbying and earmarkeks. later, mayor it will announce the winner of our in new students cam to enter contests. what "washington journal" each morning at 7:00 a.m. eastern. >> wish for president lived past 90 years old? they were john adams, herbert hoover, ronald reagan, and it gerald ford. find these and other presidential fax been c-span's book "who is buried in grant's tomb?" >> it is a travel log. it is also a mini history and biography of each of these presidents. you can tell a lot of those people at the end of their lives. >> a resort guide would resource guide. now available at your favorite book seller. >> not the president and ceo of the center -- federal reserve bank of chicago. this is part of a conference hosted by the national association for business economics. it is about half hour. Ñi>> good morning. by a member of the board of directors. it is my pleasure to introduce today speaker. he is my colleague and my boss. he is a member. dr. charles evans, the president and ceo of the federal reser

. >> yeah, it happens 37 that's melanie lawson from abc 13 in houston.he was able to get back up and assure viewers that she wasn't hurt, but i imagine her ego probably a little bit bruised. lesson learned, never pinch the weather guy. >> up next, a real treat for car lovers. the first pictures from inside ferrari world. the park's main attraction is the world's fastest roller coaster fittingly enough. it will reach speeds of 125 miles an hour. but if you want to take a ride, you'll also need a plane ticket because you ferrari world is in abu dhabi. >>> and this the boy only three years old and on his way to rock star status. look at this guy. >> i could catch him all day. >> this video get itting tons of hits on youtube. could a record deal -- well, i don't think it's far behind. watch, he roarks it. he has the phil collins, going. >> how old is he? >> three. >> wow. >> i want the first interview, what do you think? >> the smile on his face. he's loving it. >> you're watching "the early show" on cbs. wow, is this... fiber one honey clusters? yes. it's d

after that, melanie sloan on lobbying and earmarked.also, john della volpe on the 2010 midterm election. later, meredith will announce the winner of our annual student cam documentary contest. what should "washington journal" each morning beginning at 7:00 a.m. eastern. >> tomorrow we will announce the 75 winners of the student cam petition. 2000 middle and high school students entered a video on our country's greatest strengths are a challenge the country basis. find out the winner tomorrow morning during c-span's "washington journal." >> now christina romer. she taught the new programs aimed at job creation, including a higher rate -- hiring tax credit. this is part of a conference hosted by the national association for business economics. it is about a half hour. >> i would like to welcome all of you to the breakfast. my name is richard. i'm the vice president and a faculty member. i have two tasks tomorrow -- this morning. the first to remind you of the professional development seminar where holding in april. the brochures are avail

. >> reporter: melanie brooks and her dog spencer are on a mission to fight childhood hunger.rooks writes books from spencer's point of view, and the two travel around the country teaching kids to help each other. >> spencer nation is a series of children's books that talk about the great cities of this country, teaching children about where they came from and encouraging them to help children and their communities. >> reporter: after writing a book, they go back and visit schools in that city. holding food drives and raising money through book sales. >> they truly want to help the community. they're not just about coming in to talk about the book. they're here to be a part of the community and to make the community a better place. >> reporter: the kids also get to meet spenser and learn that they're not too young to give back. >> we can all make a difference. that's the message that we're taking to the children. and we felt like if we can help children learn that while they're young that there's a future for us in america. >>> well, former first lady barbara suburb out of the

after that, melanie sloan on lobbying and earmarks. also, john della volpe on the 2010 midterm election. later, meredith will announce the winner of their annual student cam documentary contest. what should "washington journal each morning." -- "washington journal" each morning. >> ron kirk outlined efforts to open up foreign markets to u.s. exports. the administration has set a goal of doubling of exports in the next five years. this one hour and then is that the national press club in washington. >> thank you so much for the kind introduction. i think you prove you can do this speech in a minute and a half and said the 15 minutes. i would make one correction. if i'm still talking at 1:30 p.m., please, let your cellphone ring or do something. we will find a way to bring it to a close. it is an honor for me to be at the press club. especially to be to a buy to a bar deputies -- to be joined by two of our deputies. areer serving in various capacities in trade in the clinton administration and running her own various successful internati