GWEN: THE GROUND IS SHIFTING IN UKRAINE ON GAY RIGHTS AND CONGRESS AND IN SOCIETY.
UKRAINE ON GAY RIGHTS AND CONGRESS AND IN SOCIETY.
WE EXPLORE IT ALL TONIGHT ON CONGRESS AND IN SOCIETY.
WE EXPLORE IT ALL TONIGHT ON "WASHINGTON WEEK."
WE EXPLORE IT ALL TONIGHT ON "WASHINGTON WEEK."
>> ANY VIOLATION OF UKRAINE'S "WASHINGTON WEEK."
>> ANY VIOLATION OF UKRAINE'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL >> ANY VIOLATION OF UKRAINE'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY WOULD BE DEEPLY SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY WOULD BE DEEPLY DISABLING WHICH WOULD NOT BE IN INTEGRITY WOULD BE DEEPLY DISABLING WHICH WOULD NOT BE IN THE INTEREST OF UKRAINE, RUSSIA DISABLING WHICH WOULD NOT BE IN THE INTEREST OF UKRAINE, RUSSIA OR EUROPE.
THE INTEREST OF UKRAINE, RUSSIA OR EUROPE.
>> WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY OR EUROPE.
>> WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO STEP BACK AND AVOID ANY >> WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO STEP BACK AND AVOID ANY PROVOCATION.
NEEDS TO STEP BACK AND AVOID ANY PROVOCATION.
>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE MEANS PROVOCATION.
>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE MEANS RUSSIA.
>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE MEANS RUSSIA.
AS TENSIONS ESCALATE IN UKRAINE.
RUSSIA.
AS TENSIONS ESCALATE IN UKRAINE.
THE STANDOFF IS LOOKING MORE AS TENSIONS ESCALATE IN UKRAINE.
THE STANDOFF IS LOOKING MORE .
LD WAR ARIZONA LOOKS AT THE DEBATES WHETHER ONE GROUP CAN VIOLATE WHETHER ONE GROUP CAN VIOLATE THE OTHER'S.
THE OTHER'S.
IN WASHINGTON, CONGRESSIONAL IN WASHINGTON, CONGRESSIONAL BRAIN DRAIN AFTER ONE SERVING BRAIN DRAIN AFTER ONE SERVING MEMBER AFTER ANOTHER OPTS OUT.
MEMBER AFTER ANOTHER OPTS OUT.
>> I HAVE FOUND GREAT >> I HAVE FOUND GREAT SA THIS COUNTRY.
SA THIS COUNTRY.
GWEN: AND AT THE WHITE HOUSE, GWEN: AND AT THE WHITE HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT REACHES OUT TO THE THE PRESIDENT REACHES OUT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ADDRESS PUBLIC PRIVATE SECTOR TO ADDRESS PUBLIC ILL. ILL. >> I SEE MYSELF IN THESE YOUNG >> I SEE MYSELF IN THESE YOUNG MEN.
MEN.
AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT I GREW UP IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT I GREW UP IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE FORGIVING.
IS A LITTLE BIT MORE FORGIVING.
GWEN: LAUNCHING A NEW EFFORT TO GWEN: LAUNCHING A NEW EFFORT TO HELP YOUNG MEN AND BOYS OF HELP YOUNG MEN AND BOYS OF COLOR.
COLOR.
COVERING THE WEEK PETE WILLIAMS COVERING THE WEEK PETE WILLIAMS OF NBC NEWS.
OF NBC NEWS.
ED O'KEEFE OF "THE WASHINGTON ED O'KEEFE OF "THE WASHINGTON POST."
POST."
AND MICHAEL SHEERER OF "TIME" AND MICHAEL SHEERER OF "TIME" MAGAZINE.
MAGAZINE.
>> AWARD-WINNING REPORTING AND >> AWARD-WINNING REPORTING AND ANALYSIS, COVERING HISTORY AS IT ANALYSIS, COVERING HISTORY AS IT HAPPENS.
HAPPENS.
LIVE FROM OUR NATION'S CAPITAL, LIVE FROM OUR NATION'S CAPITAL, THIS IS "WASHINGTON WEEK" WITH THIS IS "WASHINGTON WEEK" WITH GWEN IFILL.
>> ONCE AGAIN, LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, MODERATOR GWEN WASHINGTON, MODERATOR GWEN GOOD EVENING.
GOOD EVENING.
WE START TONIGHT WITH AN UPDATE WE START TONIGHT WITH AN UPDATE ON UKRAINE WHERE AN EAST-WEST ON UKRAINE WHERE AN EAST-WEST DIVIDE IS GROWING AND UNCERTAIN DIVIDE IS GROWING AND UNCERTAIN GOVERNMENT HAS FORMED.
GOVERNMENT HAS FORMED.
AND OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND OBAMA ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SUGGEST RUSSIA HAS OFFICIALS SUGGEST RUSSIA HAS TROOPS ON THE GROUND.
TROOPS ON THE GROUND.
THE PRESIDENT TODAY ISSUED HIS THE PRESIDENT TODAY ISSUED HIS STERNEST WARNING YET.
STERNEST WARNING YET.
>> JUST BEFORE THE WORLD CAME >> JUST BEFORE THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES TOGETHER FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES IT WOULD INVITE THE CON DEN IT WOULD INVITE THE CON DEN NATION OF NATIONS AROUND THE NATION OF NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.
WORLD.
AND INDEED THE UNITED STATES AND INDEED THE UNITED STATES WILL STAND WITH THE WILL STAND WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN AFFIRMING THERE WILL BE COST FOR AFFIRMING THERE WILL BE COST FOR ANY MILITARY INTERVENTION IN ANY MILITARY INTERVENTION IN UKRAINE.
UKRAINE.
GWEN: EVEN BEFORE THE PRESIDENT GWEN: EVEN BEFORE THE PRESIDENT SPOKE, THE U.N. WAS STEPPING UP SPOKE, THE U.N. WAS STEPPING UP ITS CRITICISM.
ITS CRITICISM.
>> THERE ARE ENOUGH TENSIONS >> THERE ARE ENOUGH TENSIONS THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYBODY TO BE EXTREMELY EVERYBODY TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO INFLAME THE CAREFUL NOT TO INFLAME THE SITUATION AND NOT TO SEND THE SITUATION AND NOT TO SEND THE WRONG MESSAGES.
WRONG MESSAGES.
GWEN: I SPOKE ABOUT THAT EARLIER GWEN: I SPOKE ABOUT THAT EARLIER TODAY FROM THE BLOOMBERG NEWS TODAY FROM THE BLOOMBERG NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU.
WASHINGTON BUREAU.
ENDIRA, WELCOME.
ENDIRA, WELCOME.
EN JOHN KERRY SAYS BEWARE OF EN JOHN KERRY SAYS BEWARE OF MESSAGES, WHAT HE' ARE -- WHAT'S MESSAGES, WHAT HE' ARE -- WHAT'S HE MEAN?
HE MEAN?
>> THAT'S TRYING TO PUT ON THE >> THAT'S TRYING TO PUT ON THE RECORD FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO RECORD FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO HEAR THAT THE UNITED STATES DOES HEAR THAT THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT WANT RUSSIA TO HAVE A NOT WANT RUSSIA TO HAVE A MILITARY INTERVENTION HERE.
MILITARY INTERVENTION HERE.
THIS HAS ECHOS OF THE THIS HAS ECHOS OF THE INTERVENTION BY RUSSIA IN INTERVENTION BY RUSSIA IN GEORGIA.
GEORGIA.
THE SAME KIND OF LANGUAGE THE SAME KIND OF LANGUAGE PRECEEDED THAT WITH RUSSIA PRECEEDED THAT WITH RUSSIA TALKING ABOUT HOW IT WAS IN ITS TALKING ABOUT HOW IT WAS IN ITS NATIONAL INTEREST AT STAKE.
NATIONAL INTEREST AT STAKE.
SO THE U.S.
DOES NOT WANT TO SEE SO THE U.S.
DOES NOT WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN NEITHER DOES THE THAT HAPPEN NEITHER DOES THE E.U.
E.U.
GWEN: THIS IS ABOUT A CONFLICT GWEN: THIS IS ABOUT A CONFLICT INVOLVING EUROPE AND RUSSIA.
INVOLVING EUROPE AND RUSSIA.
INCREASELY IT INVOLVES U.S. AN INCREASELY IT INVOLVES U.S. AN RUSSIA.
RUSSIA.
IS THAT A CORRECT READING?
IS THAT A CORRECT READING?
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE JUMPED >> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE JUMPED ON THIS AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT ON THIS AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THEY'RE CALLING A NEW COLD WAR.
THEY'RE CALLING A NEW COLD WAR.
IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE LENS IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE LENS THROUGH WHICH YOU'RE LOOKING AND THROUGH WHICH YOU'RE LOOKING AND WE'VE SEEN SOME EDITORIAL PAGES WE'VE SEEN SOME EDITORIAL PAGES WASHINGTON TALK ABOUT THAT, A WASHINGTON TALK ABOUT THAT, A NEW COLD WAR.
NEW COLD WAR.
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS VERY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS VERY KEEN TO GET AWAY FROM THAT KEEN TO GET AWAY FROM THAT NOTION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
NOTION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
WHY?
WHY?
BECAUSE OBAMA KNOWS THAT HE BECAUSE OBAMA KNOWS THAT HE NEEDS PUTIN AND RUSSIA'S SUPPORT NEEDS PUTIN AND RUSSIA'S SUPPORT ON OTHER KEY INTERNATIONAL ON OTHER KEY INTERNATIONAL ISSUES LIKE IRAN, LIKE SYRIA, ISSUES LIKE IRAN, LIKE SYRIA, LIKE NORTH KOREA.
LIKE NORTH KOREA.
THEY DON'T WANT TO BURN ALLAME THEY DON'T WANT TO BURN ALLAME KNOW, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS KNOW, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO CORPORATE.
TO CORPORATE.
AND THAT MEANS THAT AN I.M.F.
AND THAT MEANS THAT AN I.M.F.
BAILOUT PACKAGE WOULD HOPEFULLY BAILOUT PACKAGE WOULD HOPEFULLY BE PAIRED WITH RUSSIAN LONE BE PAIRED WITH RUSSIAN LONE ASSISTANCE AS WELL AND THE U.S. ASSISTANCE AS WELL AND THE U.S. $1 BILLION.
TS OWN $1 BILLION.
TS OWN AS JOHN KERRY SAID THIS ISN'T AS JOHN KERRY SAID THIS ISN'T "ROCKY IV."
"ROCKY IV."
HE'S TRYING TO MAKE THE POINT HE'S TRYING TO MAKE THE POINT THIS IS NOT A NEW COLD WAR.
THIS IS NOT A NEW COLD WAR.
GWEN: ARE THERE DOLLAR SIGNS GWEN: ARE THERE DOLLAR SIGNS ATTACHED TO THIS CONFLICT?
ATTACHED TO THIS CONFLICT?
>> VERY MUCH SO.
>> VERY MUCH SO.
I MEAN, THE UKRAINIAN ECONOMY IS I MEAN, THE UKRAINIAN ECONOMY IS IN CRISIS.
IN CRISIS.
INVESTORS ARE PULLING OUT.
INVESTORS ARE PULLING OUT.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID THAT IT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID THAT IT NEEDS $35 BILLION IN BAILOUTS TO NEEDS $35 BILLION IN BAILOUTS TO KEEP ITS ECONOMY AFLOAT.
KEEP ITS ECONOMY AFLOAT.
THEN LATER THEY SAID THAT'S FOR THEN LATER THEY SAID THAT'S FOR TWO YEARS.
TWO YEARS.
THEY NEED AT LEAST $15 BILLION THEY NEED AT LEAST $15 BILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR FROM THE FOR THE FIRST YEAR FROM THE I.M.F.
I.M.F.
THE I.M.F.
IS DOING SOME THE I.M.F.
IS DOING SOME FACT-FINDING AND FIGURE OUT FACT-FINDING AND FIGURE OUT WHAT'S POSSIBLE BUT THE I.M.F.
WHAT'S POSSIBLE BUT THE I.M.F.
HAS BEEN BURNED TWICE ALREADY.
HAS BEEN BURNED TWICE ALREADY.
SINCE 2008, THE TWO PREVIOUS SINCE 2008, THE TWO PREVIOUS GOVERNMENTS BOTH DID NOT KEEP UP GOVERNMENTS BOTH DID NOT KEEP UP EIR END OF THE AUSTERITY EIR END OF THE AUSTERITY BARGAIN.
BARGAIN.
AND THE CURRENT ONE ADMITTED AND THE CURRENT ONE ADMITTED HAT IT COULD BE A VERY HAT IT COULD BE A VERY POLITICAL KAMIKAZE MOVE.
POLITICAL KAMIKAZE MOVE.
GWEN: WHO CARRYS THE WEIGHT IN GWEN: WHO CARRYS THE WEIGHT IN THIS ARGUMENTS?
THIS ARGUMENTS?
RUSSIA?
RUSSIA?
THE U.S.?
THE U.S.?
E.U.?
E.U.?
ARE WE EXPECTING ANOTHER SUITER?
ARE WE EXPECTING ANOTHER SUITER?
>> THAT'S THE $15 BILLION >> THAT'S THE $15 BILLION QUESTION, RIGHT?
QUESTION, RIGHT?
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A COUNTRY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A COUNTRY THAT SITS IN A VERY KEY THAT SITS IN A VERY KEY STRATEGIC PLACE.
STRATEGIC PLACE.
ON THE BORDER OF RUSSIA ON ONE ON THE BORDER OF RUSSIA ON ONE SIDE.
SIDE.
ON THE BORDER OF NATO ON THE ON THE BORDER OF NATO ON THE OTHER SIDE.
OTHER SIDE.
THE WHOLE THING THAT THE WHOLE THING THAT PRECIPITATED THIS IS THE PRECIPITATED THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT PULLED OUT THAT WAS GOVERNMENT PULLED OUT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN AGREEMENT WITH SUPPOSED TO BE IN AGREEMENT WITH THEM LAST YEAR THAT WOULD HAVE THEM LAST YEAR THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP ALLOWED THEM TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP OF THE E.U.
AND HE DECIDED TO OF THE E.U.
AND HE DECIDED TO BACK OUT YANOKOVIC AND DECIDED BACK OUT YANOKOVIC AND DECIDED TO ALLY HIMSELF WITH RUSSIA.
TO ALLY HIMSELF WITH RUSSIA.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IT'S RIGHT THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE IT'S RIGHT THERE AT THE SEAM OF EUROPE AND IT'S AT THE SEAM OF EUROPE AND IT'S VERY KEEN WHICH WAY IT WORKS.
VERY KEEN WHICH WAY IT WORKS.
OUR KEY CRITICAL GAS PIPELINES OUR KEY CRITICAL GAS PIPELINES THROUGH WHICH HALF OF THE GAS THROUGH WHICH HALF OF THE GAS THAT RUSSIA EXPORTS THROUGH THAT RUSSIA EXPORTS THROUGH EUROPE GOES THROUGH THOSE EUROPE GOES THROUGH THOSE PIPELINES THROUGH THE UKRAINE.
PIPELINES THROUGH THE UKRAINE.
THERE ARE MONEY ISSUE, GOOD THERE ARE MONEY ISSUE, GOOD GEO POLITICAL -- GEO POLITICAL -- ISSUES.
ISSUES.
GWEN: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US GWEN: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.
TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WHEN IT COMES TO EXPANDING >> WHEN IT COMES TO EXPANDING RIGHTS FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS, RIGHTS FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS, THERE WAS A BIG VETO IN ARIZONA.
THERE WAS A BIG VETO IN ARIZONA.
A GAY MARRIAGE RULING IN TEXAS A GAY MARRIAGE RULING IN TEXAS AND NEW GUIDANCE FROM THE U.S. AND NEW GUIDANCE FROM THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL.
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
IN ARIZONA JANUARY BREWER KILLED IN ARIZONA JANUARY BREWER KILLED A MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE A MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED BUSINESSES TO USE ALLOWED BUSINESSES TO USE RELIGIOUS BELIEF AS A DEFENSE RELIGIOUS BELIEF AS A DEFENSE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION LAWSUITS.
AGAINST DISCRIMINATION LAWSUITS.
>> I SINCERELY BELIEF THAT >> I SINCERELY BELIEF THAT SENATE BILL 1062 HAS THE SENATE BILL 1062 HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE MORE POTENTIAL TO CREATE MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT PRO PORTS TO PROBLEMS THAN IT PRO PORTS TO SOLVE.
SOLVE.
I COULD DIVIDE ARIZONA IN WAYS I COULD DIVIDE ARIZONA IN WAYS YOU COULD NOT EVEN IMAGINE AND YOU COULD NOT EVEN IMAGINE AND NO ONE WOULD EVER WANT.
NO ONE WOULD EVER WANT.
GWEN: BUT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS GWEN: BUT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS GAY RIGHT DEBATE, THE ROOTS OF GAY RIGHT DEBATE, THE ROOTS OF THE LAW HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LAW HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT PIECE.
THAT PIECE.
>> IT STARS TWO DECADES AGO WITH >> IT STARS TWO DECADES AGO WITH TWO MEN WHO WORKED AT DRUG REHAB TWO MEN WHO WORKED AT DRUG REHAB CENTER WHO WERE FIRED FOR CENTER WHO WERE FIRED FOR SMOKING PEYOTE AT A NATIVE SMOKING PEYOTE AT A NATIVE AMERICAN SURGE SERVICE.
AMERICAN SURGE SERVICE.
THEY SAID IT WAS RITUAL.
THEY SAID IT WAS RITUAL.
SO THE LAWS SHOULDN'T APPLY TO SO THE LAWS SHOULDN'T APPLY TO THEM.
THEM.
BUT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SAYS BUT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SAYS THERE'S NO RELIGIOUS EXCEPTION.
THERE'S NO RELIGIOUS EXCEPTION.
AND THAT INFURIATED CONGRESS AND THAT INFURIATED CONGRESS WHICH RESPONDED BYPASSING WHICH RESPONDED BYPASSING SOMETHING CALLED THE RELIGIOUS SOMETHING CALLED THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT WHICH FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT WHICH BARRED THE GOVERNMENT FROM IN BARRED THE GOVERNMENT FROM IN THE PHRASE OF THE LAW THE PHRASE OF THE LAW SUBSTANTIALLY BURDENENING SUBSTANTIALLY BURDENENING SOMEBODY'S EXERCISE OF RELIGION.
SOMEBODY'S EXERCISE OF RELIGION.
ARIZONA IS ONE OF MANY THAT HAS ARIZONA IS ONE OF MANY THAT HAS LAWS LIKE THAT.
LAWS LIKE THAT.
SO WHAT WAS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS SO WHAT WAS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS ARIZONA LAW IS THAT IT WOULD ARIZONA LAW IS THAT IT WOULD HAVE EXPANDED THE LAW TO APPLY HAVE EXPANDED THE LAW TO APPLY NOST TO INDIVIDUALS BUT TO NOST TO INDIVIDUALS BUT TO BUSINESSS THAT GET SUED BY BUSINESSS THAT GET SUED BY SOMEONE IN A PRIVATE LAWSUIT, SOMEONE IN A PRIVATE LAWSUIT, SOMEONE THAT THEY REFUSE TO SOMEONE THAT THEY REFUSE TO SERVE AND WHAT GOT THE SPONSORS SERVE AND WHAT GOT THE SPONSORS OF THE BILL CONCERNED WAS A OF THE BILL CONCERNED WAS A DECISION LAST YEAR IN DECISION LAST YEAR IN NEIGHBORING NEW MEXICO WHEN THE NEIGHBORING NEW MEXICO WHEN THE SUPREME COURT THERE RULED SUPREME COURT THERE RULED AGAINST A BE QUEER KEY AGAINST A BE QUEER KEY PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO REFUSED TO PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO REFUSED TO PHOTOGRAPH THE CEREMONY OF TWO PHOTOGRAPH THE CEREMONY OF TWO WOMEN.
WOMEN.
AND THIS IS EXACTLY AT THE HEART AND THIS IS EXACTLY AT THE HEART OF THE CHALLENGE TO THE OF THE CHALLENGE TO THE OBAMACARE LAW THAT THE SUPREME OBAMACARE LAW THAT THE SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR NEXT MONTH.
COURT WILL HEAR NEXT MONTH.
>> GWEN RATTLED OFF THIS WEEK'S >> GWEN RATTLED OFF THIS WEEK'S DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENTS.
DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENTS.
YOU'VE GOT FIGHTS IN STATE YOU'VE GOT FIGHTS IN STATE HOUSES AND IN COURTHOUSES.
HOUSES AND IN COURTHOUSES.
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?
>> A TEXAS JUDGE BECAME THE >> A TEXAS JUDGE BECAME THE LATEST TO STRIKE DOWN A BAN ON LATEST TO STRIKE DOWN A BAN ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE SAYING THAT SAME SEX MARRIAGE SAYING THAT IT'S -- THERE'S NO GOOD REASON IT'S -- THERE'S NO GOOD REASON TO DO THAT.
TO DO THAT.
GWEN: HOW MANY STATES HAVE DONE GWEN: HOW MANY STATES HAVE DONE THAT?
THAT?
>> IN TERMS OF COURT ACTION, SIX >> IN TERMS OF COURT ACTION, SIX OR SEVEN.
OR SEVEN.
WE HAVE 17 STATES IN WHICH SAME WE HAVE 17 STATES IN WHICH SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS ALLOWED.
SEX MARRIAGE IS ALLOWED.
WE HAVE A TRIAL THAT STARRED WE HAVE A TRIAL THAT STARRED THIS WEEK IN MICHIGAN OVER ITS THIS WEEK IN MICHIGAN OVER ITS BAN.
BAN.
AND JUST THIS WEEK A KENTUCKY AND JUST THIS WEEK A KENTUCKY JUDGE MADE HIS RULING FINAL JUDGE MADE HIS RULING FINAL WHILE KENTUCKY DOES NOT HAVE TO WHILE KENTUCKY DOES NOT HAVE TO ALLOW SAME SEX MARRIAGES TO BE ALLOW SAME SEX MARRIAGES TO BE PERFORMED, IT HAS TO BE PERFORMED, IT HAS TO BE RECOGNIZED MARRIAGES IN OTHER RECOGNIZED MARRIAGES IN OTHER STATES.
STATES.
>> HOW IS ERIC HOLDER GETTING >> HOW IS ERIC HOLDER GETTING INVOLVED IN THESE DISCUSSIONS?
INVOLVED IN THESE DISCUSSIONS?
>> HE GAVE A VERY INTERESTING >> HE GAVE A VERY INTERESTING SPEECH BEFORE THE NATIONAL OF SPEECH BEFORE THE NATIONAL OF ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL.
GENERAL.
HE THINKS THAT ANY LAW THAT HE THINKS THAT ANY LAW THAT SHOULD BE IONS ON IT SHOULD BE IONS ON IT SUSPICIOUS.
SUSPICIOUS.
NOW, HE DIDN'T TELL THE NOW, HE DIDN'T TELL THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL YOU SHOULD DO ATTORNEYS GENERAL YOU SHOULD DO THAT TOO BUT THAT WAS SORT OF THAT TOO BUT THAT WAS SORT OF THE MESSAGE.
THE MESSAGE.
GWEN: BUT ISN'T IT WEIRD TO HAVE GWEN: BUT ISN'T IT WEIRD TO HAVE THE NATION'S CHIEF ENFORCEMENT THE NATION'S CHIEF ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ADVISE OTHER OFFICERS TO ADVISE OTHER OFFICERS DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT, OFFICERS DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT, JUST LET IT GO?
JUST LET IT GO?
>> MANY OF THEM THOUGHT SO.
>> MANY OF THEM THOUGHT SO.
MANY WERE SPEECH MANY WERE SPEECH AFTERWARDS.
AFTERWARDS.
THIS IS WHAT HE DID WHEN THE THIS IS WHAT HE DID WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION HAD TO DECIDE ADMINISTRATION HAD TO DECIDE WHETHER TO DEFEND IN COURT THE WHETHER TO DEFEND IN COURT THE DEFENSE IN MARRIAGE ACT.
DEFENSE IN MARRIAGE ACT.
THERE ARE LOTS OF EXAMPLES WHERE THERE ARE LOTS OF EXAMPLES WHERE U.S. AN STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL U.S. AN STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL HAVE DECLINED TO DEFEND LAWS HAVE DECLINED TO DEFEND LAWS THAT THEY THINK IS THAT THEY THINK IS UNCONSTITUTION.
UNCONSTITUTION.
>> DOES HE HAVE A LOT OF SWAY >> DOES HE HAVE A LOT OF SWAY WITH ATTORNEYS GENERALS?
WITH ATTORNEYS GENERALS?
> TO SOME EXTENT HIS REMARKS > TO SOME EXTENT HIS REMARKS WAS REMARKING ON SOMETHING WAS REMARKING ON SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED.
THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED.
STATES ATTORNEYS GENERAL HAVE STATES ATTORNEYS GENERAL HAVE DECLINED TO DEFEND THE LAW.
DECLINED TO DEFEND THE LAW.
O SO TO SOME EXTENT THEY ARE O SO TO SOME EXTENT THEY ARE KIND OF ON A ROLL.
KIND OF ON A ROLL.
GWEN: WILL THIS BARREL STRAIGHT GWEN: WILL THIS BARREL STRAIGHT TO THE SUPREME COURT?
TO THE SUPREME COURT?
>> WELL, WE'LL SEE.
>> WELL, WE'LL SEE.
SO FAR MOST OF THESE LAWS ARE SO FAR MOST OF THESE LAWS ARE STRIKING THE BANS DOWN.
STRIKING THE BANS DOWN.
THE MAIN REASON THE SUPREME THE MAIN REASON THE SUPREME COURT WOULD TAKE A CASE IF COURT WOULD TAKE A CASE IF THERE'S A SPLIT AMONG THE COURTS THERE'S A SPLIT AMONG THE COURTS OR CIRCUITS WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF OR CIRCUITS WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THAT DEVELOPS.
THAT DEVELOPS.
GWEN: JOHN DINGELL SPENT SIX GWEN: JOHN DINGELL SPENT SIX DECADES IN CONGRESS.
DECADES IN CONGRESS.
PRECEED HIM PRECEED HIM SERVED TWO.
SERVED TWO.
BUT MANY SAY IT'S NOT FUN BUT MANY SAY IT'S NOT FUN ANYMORE.
ANYMORE.
>> THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT HAVE >> THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TELL THE OTHER VETS FIGHTING TO TELL THE OTHER VETS FIGHTING THAT YOU CANNOT DO ILTS TESTS, THAT YOU CANNOT DO ILTS TESTS, HE WILL DO IT BY EXECUTIVE HE WILL DO IT BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.
ORDER.
THAT IS NOT THE WAY THE COUNTRY THAT IS NOT THE WAY THE COUNTRY IS RUN.
IS RUN.
GWEN: ALL TOLD, THE RETIREMENT GWEN: ALL TOLD, THE RETIREMENT OF DINGELL AND OTHERS SO FAR ADD OF DINGELL AND OTHERS SO FAR ADD UP TO ABOUT 300 YEARS OF UP TO ABOUT 300 YEARS OF CONGRESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
CONGRESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
SO THIS IS A BIG SHIFT OR NOT, SO THIS IS A BIG SHIFT OR NOT, ED?
ED?
>> IT IS AND IT CONTINUE AS >> IT IS AND IT CONTINUE AS TREND THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR TREND THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST FEW YEAR WHERE IS THE THE PAST FEW YEAR WHERE IS THE OLDER GENERATIONS OF LAWMAKER OLDER GENERATIONS OF LAWMAKER WHO ARE TOTALLY NOT ACCUSTOM THE WHO ARE TOTALLY NOT ACCUSTOM THE SAYING FORGET SAYING FORGET IT.
IT.
THE FACT THAT YOU SAW REALLY THE THE FACT THAT YOU SAW REALLY THE DEAN -- HE RIDES AROUND IN A DEAN -- HE RIDES AROUND IN A MOTORIZED SCOOTER THAT SAYS "THE MOTORIZED SCOOTER THAT SAYS "THE DEAN" ON IT BASICALLY SAID THAT DEAN" ON IT BASICALLY SAID THAT IT'S OBNOXIOUS UP THERE.
IT'S OBNOXIOUS UP THERE.
CONSIDERING THE FACT HE CAME TOP CONSIDERING THE FACT HE CAME TOP THE OFFICE IN 1955.
THE OFFICE IN 1955.
12 DAYS AFTER ROSA PARKS REFUSED 12 DAYS AFTER ROSA PARKS REFUSED TO GIVE UP HER SEAT ON THAT TO GIVE UP HER SEAT ON THAT BIRMINGHAMMINGHAM BUS.
BIRMINGHAMMINGHAM BUS.
AND HE WAS IN OFFICE 12 YEARS AND HE WAS IN OFFICE 12 YEARS BEFORE THIS SHOW STARTED.
BEFORE THIS SHOW STARTED.
[LAUGHTER] [LAUGHTER] >> AND HE MADE A REALLY >> AND HE MADE A REALLY INTERESTING COMMENT TO BLOOMBERG INTERESTING COMMENT TO BLOOMBERG NEWS WHERE HE SAID THE PRESIDENT NEWS WHERE HE SAID THE PRESIDENT HE MOST ADMIRED WAS LYNDON HE MOST ADMIRED WAS LYNDON JOHNSON AND HE CONSIDERS NEWT JOHNSON AND HE CONSIDERS NEWT GINGRICH A VERY CLOSE FRIEND.
GINGRICH A VERY CLOSE FRIEND.
MOST OF HIS COLLEAGUES WOULD MOST OF HIS COLLEAGUES WOULD TURN THEIR, YOU KNOW, WOULD FIND TURN THEIR, YOU KNOW, WOULD FIND THAT VERY ODD AND FRANKLY READ THAT VERY ODD AND FRANKLY READ ABOUT THOSE GUYS IN TEXTBOOKS.
ABOUT THOSE GUYS IN TEXTBOOKS.
>> IT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT THE >> IT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT THE ERA OF BIPARTISAN THAT I GUESS ERA OF BIPARTISAN THAT I GUESS HE GREW UP IN.
HE GREW UP IN.
WHAT'S THE TALLY NOW.
WHAT'S THE TALLY NOW.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WITH THAT KIND HOW MANY PEOPLE WITH THAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE ARE HEADING -- OF EXPERIENCE ARE HEADING -- >> HE'S ONE OF 32 MEMBERS IN THE >> HE'S ONE OF 32 MEMBERS IN THE SENATE SO FAR SAYING I'M SENATE SO FAR SAYING I'M RETIRING.
RETIRING.
NOT RUNNING FOR A HIGHER OFFICE NOT RUNNING FOR A HIGHER OFFICE BUT LEAVING ENTIRELY.
BUT LEAVING ENTIRELY.
THAT'S A COMBINED 660 YEARS OF THAT'S A COMBINED 660 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE LAWMAKERS AND THE SENATE.
LAWMAKERS AND THE SENATE.
IT'S CLOSE TO THE 700 IF YOU ADD IT'S CLOSE TO THE 700 IF YOU ADD THE HOUSE EXPERIENCE THAT SOME THE HOUSE EXPERIENCE THAT SOME OF THOSE SENATORS HAVE.
OF THOSE SENATORS HAVE.
>> AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT MOST >> AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT MOST OF THOSE ARE PEOPLE ARE WORRIED OF THOSE ARE PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT GETTING RE-ELECTED?
ABOUT GETTING RE-ELECTED?
>> NO, IN FACT, MANY OF THEM >> NO, IN FACT, MANY OF THEM COME FROM SAFE SEATS.
COME FROM SAFE SEATS.
AND THOSE NUMBERS ARE ON PAR AND THOSE NUMBERS ARE ON PAR WITH 2012.
WITH 2012.
WHAT WAS IT?
WHAT WAS IT?
35 THAT YEAR.
35 THAT YEAR.
WE WERE THREE SHORT OF 2012.
WE WERE THREE SHORT OF 2012.
THAT WAVE WAS THE SIGNAL THAT A THAT WAVE WAS THE SIGNAL THAT A LOT OF THESE OLDER PEOPLE ARE LOT OF THESE OLDER PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.
LEAVING.
YOU'RE LOSING PEOPLE, THE BRAIN YOU'RE LOSING PEOPLE, THE BRAIN DRAIN.
DRAIN.
A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.
CHAIRMAN.
CARL LEVIN OF ARMED SERVICES, CARL LEVIN OF ARMED SERVICES, JAY ROCKEFELLER, MAX BAUCUS WHO JAY ROCKEFELLER, MAX BAUCUS WHO IS ON HIS WAY TO BEIJING AND TOM IS ON HIS WAY TO BEIJING AND TOM HARD KINSON JOHNSON.
HARD KINSON JOHNSON.
AND IT CREATES A VERY AND IT CREATES A VERY INTERESTING DICHOTOMY OF PEOPLE INTERESTING DICHOTOMY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SERVING FOR 12 OR WHO HAVE BEEN SERVING FOR 12 OR 15 YEARS ARE NOW BEING VIEWED AS 15 YEARS ARE NOW BEING VIEWED AS SENIORS.
SENIORS.
>> THERE ARE 45 SENATORS >> THERE ARE 45 SENATORS CURRENTLY SERVING IN THEIR FIRST CURRENTLY SERVING IN THEIR FIRST TERM.
TERM.
THAT'S UNPRECEDENTED.
THAT'S UNPRECEDENTED.
>> YOU'VE ALREADY GOT AN >> YOU'VE ALREADY GOT AN INSTITUTION THAT'S GOT 12% OF INSTITUTION THAT'S GOT 12% OF APPROVAL NATIONWIDE.
APPROVAL NATIONWIDE.
WHEN DOES IT TURN AROUND?
WHEN DOES IT TURN AROUND?
WHEN CAN THE OPTIMISM CLAIM A WHEN CAN THE OPTIMISM CLAIM A VICTORY AND SAY THAT CONGRESS VICTORY AND SAY THAT CONGRESS WILL BECOME A BETTER WILL BECOME A BETTER INSTITUTION?
INSTITUTION?
>> YEAH -- THERE IS GENUINE >> YEAH -- THERE IS GENUINE FRUSTRATION I THINK ESPECIALLY FRUSTRATION I THINK ESPECIALLY MANY THE SENATE ABOUT THE FACT MANY THE SENATE ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY'RE SITTING AROUND THAT THEY'RE SITTING AROUND DOING NOTHING.
DOING NOTHING.
WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME MODEST WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME MODEST ATTEMPTS OF THAT IN THE NEXT FEW ATTEMPTS OF THAT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
WEEKS.
THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO MOVE THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO MOVE SOME SMALL BALL THINGS RELATED SOME SMALL BALL THINGS RELATED TO CHILD CAR, MAYBE SOME TO CHILD CAR, MAYBE SOME PROPOSALS ON SENTENCE REFORM.
PROPOSALS ON SENTENCE REFORM.
MODEST ATTEMPTS TO GET -- MODEST ATTEMPTS TO GET -- >> IF YOU BELIEVE IN TERM LIMITS >> IF YOU BELIEVE IN TERM LIMITS OR YOU BELIEVE IN FRESH BLOOD OR YOU BELIEVE IN FRESH BLOOD AND YOU BELIEVE IN BRINGING IN AND YOU BELIEVE IN BRINGING IN -- BREAKING OUT OF THE -- BREAKING OUT OF THE STRUCTURES OF WASHINGTON, ISN'T STRUCTURES OF WASHINGTON, ISN'T THIS A GOOD THING?
THIS A GOOD THING?
>> YES, IN FACT, IF YOU TALK TO >> YES, IN FACT, IF YOU TALK TO OTHER DEMOCRATS, THEY SAY IF OTHER DEMOCRATS, THEY SAY IF FILIBUSTER TOTALLY DOESN'T MAKE FILIBUSTER TOTALLY DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
ANY SENSE.
IN A MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY IN A MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY WANTS IT DONE AND A MINORITY OF WANTS IT DONE AND A MINORITY OF THE SENAT CAN HOLD IT UP, IT THE SENAT CAN HOLD IT UP, IT SHOULD BE PUSHED AWAY.
SHOULD BE PUSHED AWAY.
THE OLD BULLS ARE SAYING, WAIT A THE OLD BULLS ARE SAYING, WAIT A SECOND THAT VIOLATES HUNDREDS OF SECOND THAT VIOLATES HUNDREDS OF CONGRESSIONAL HISTORY.
CONGRESSIONAL HISTORY.
GWEN: WHAT WOULD JOHN DINGELL GWEN: WHAT WOULD JOHN DINGELL SAY WERE HIS CHIEF SAY WERE HIS CHIEF ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
>> CERTAINLY HIS WORK ON CLEAN >> CERTAINLY HIS WORK ON CLEAN -- WHAT IS IT?
-- WHAT IS IT?
THE CLEAN WATER ACT.
THE CLEAN WATER ACT.
WORKING FOR MEDICARE -- THE WORKING FOR MEDICARE -- THE HEALTH CARE REFORM, THE BIGGEST HEALTH CARE REFORM, THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT.
ACHIEVEMENT.
HIS FATHER FOUGHT FOR THAT.
HIS FATHER FOUGHT FOR THAT.
HE SERVED THROUGH ALL THOSE HE SERVED THROUGH ALL THOSE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS WHO TRIED.
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS WHO TRIED.
THINI K HE WOULD CONSIDER HIS THINI K HE WOULD CONSIDER HIS BIGGEST -- BIGGEST -- >> AND NOW HIS WIFE DEBBIE >> AND NOW HIS WIFE DEBBIE DINGELL IS RUNNING FOR HIS SEAT.
DINGELL IS RUNNING FOR HIS SEAT.
>> IF SHE SERVES NINE TERMS THAT >> IF SHE SERVES NINE TERMS THAT DING LL BE HAVE HOLD THAT SEAT DING LL BE HAVE HOLD THAT SEAT FOR 100 YEARS.
FOR 100 YEARS.
GWEN: WOW.
GWEN: WOW.
THE EAST ROOM IN THE WHITE HOUSE THE EAST ROOM IN THE WHITE HOUSE -- FULL OF FILL LAN THROW -- FULL OF FILL LAN THROW PHILANTHROPISTS.
PHILANTHROPISTS.
IT'S CALLED MY BROTHER'S KEEPER IT'S CALLED MY BROTHER'S KEEPER AND IT'S HIS BOLDEST EFFORT YET AND IT'S HIS BOLDEST EFFORT YET TO REACH OUTSIDE PARTISAN LINES TO REACH OUTSIDE PARTISAN LINES AND THE BAT.
AND THE BAT.
TO ADDRESS WHAT HE CONSIDERS TO TO ADDRESS WHAT HE CONSIDERS TO BE IMPORTANT.
BE IMPORTANT.
>> WHILE THERE MIGHT NOT BE MUCH >> WHILE THERE MIGHT NOT BE MUCH OF AN APPETITE FOR NEW OF AN APPETITE FOR NEW INITIATIVES, WE ALL KNOW WE INITIATIVES, WE ALL KNOW WE CAN'T WAIT.
CAN'T WAIT.
AND SO THE GOOD NEWS IS, FOLKS AND SO THE GOOD NEWS IS, FOLKS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO KNOW IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO KNOW HOW IMPORTANT BOOSTING THE HOW IMPORTANT BOOSTING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF YOUNG MEN OF ACHIEVEMENT OF YOUNG MEN OF COLOR IS TO THE COUNTRY, THEY COLOR IS TO THE COUNTRY, THEY ARE READY TO STEP UP.
ARE READY TO STEP UP.
>> IS THIS APPROACH REACHING >> IS THIS APPROACH REACHING OUTSIDE OF CONGRESS, REACHING OUTSIDE OF CONGRESS, REACHING OUTSIDE OF THE PROBLEMS IN OUTSIDE OF THE PROBLEMS IN WASHINGTON TO STOP THINGS FROM WASHINGTON TO STOP THINGS FROM HAPPENING, IS THIS PART OF HIS HAPPENING, IS THIS PART OF HIS NEW APPROACH TO LIFE?
NEW APPROACH TO LIFE?
>> IT IS.
>> IT IS.
HE KNOWS HE'S NOW IN HIS FIFTH HE KNOWS HE'S NOW IN HIS FIFTH YEAR OR SIXTH YEAR.
YEAR OR SIXTH YEAR.
HE KNOWS THIS TOWN IS NOT HE KNOWS THIS TOWN IS NOT WORKING FOR REASONS WE'VE JUST WORKING FOR REASONS WE'VE JUST DISCUSSED.
DISCUSSED.
AND HE DECIDED LATE LAST YEAR AND HE DECIDED LATE LAST YEAR WITH HIS AGE THAT HE'S GOING TO WITH HIS AGE THAT HE'S GOING TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE AGENDA WHERE MOVE FORWARD ON THE AGENDA WHERE HE DOESN'T NEED CONGRESS AND HE DOESN'T NEED CONGRESS AND DOESN'T NEED NEW MONEY.
DOESN'T NEED NEW MONEY.
THEY TALK ABOUT THE PEN AND THE THEY TALK ABOUT THE PEN AND THE PHONE IS THE WAY THEY'RE GOING PHONE IS THE WAY THEY'RE GOING TO REACH OUT TO THE COUNTRY.
TO REACH OUT TO THE COUNTRY.
THE PRESIDENT HAS AN ENORMOUS THE PRESIDENT HAS AN ENORMOUS CONVENING ABILITY.
CONVENING ABILITY.
YOU SAW THAT HERE.
YOU SAW THAT HERE.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HE SAID, I THINK, IN THAT ADDRESS SAID, I THINK, IN THAT ADDRESS WAS THIS ISSUE OF YOUNG MEN OF WAS THIS ISSUE OF YOUNG MEN OF COLOR NOT HAVING THE SAME COLOR NOT HAVING THE SAME OPPORTUNITY THAT OTHER YOUNG OPPORTUNITY THAT OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE IS AS IMPORTANT A PEOPLE HAVE IS AS IMPORTANT A NATIONAL ISSUE WITH ANY ISSUE I NATIONAL ISSUE WITH ANY ISSUE I DEAL WITH.
DEAL WITH.
IT'S A BIG DEAL TO HAVE A IT'S A BIG DEAL TO HAVE A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAY THAT.
SAY THAT.
AND EVEN IF THE MONEY THAT HE'S AND EVEN IF THE MONEY THAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT WHICH IS ABOUT TALKING ABOUT WHICH IS ABOUT $200 MILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO $200 MILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS WILL BE FUNNED BY INDUSTRY YEARS WILL BE FUNNED BY INDUSTRY AND PHILANTHROPIES.
AND PHILANTHROPIES.
MAY HAVE BEEN SPENT ANYWAY.
MAY HAVE BEEN SPENT ANYWAY.
IT WAS BEING SPENT TO HELP THIS IT WAS BEING SPENT TO HELP THIS COMMUNITY.
COMMUNITY.
THE FACT THAT HE IS ELEVATING THE FACT THAT HE IS ELEVATING AND THAT HE AS THE FIRST BLACK AND THAT HE AS THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT CAN SPEAK TO THESE PRESIDENT CAN SPEAK TO THESE FAMILIES AND THESE YOUNG MEN FAMILIES AND THESE YOUNG MEN ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE MEANS THAT ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE MEANS THAT I THINK HE WILL BE ABLE TO PUSH I THINK HE WILL BE ABLE TO PUSH THIS SOME AND WE'LL HAVE A THIS SOME AND WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A LEGACY.
LITTLE BIT OF A LEGACY.
>> AND WHAT'S GOING COMB DONE >> AND WHAT'S GOING COMB DONE WITH THE MONEY?
WITH THE MONEY?
IT'S FOR WHAT?
IT'S FOR WHAT?
>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS >> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HE I'D TIED AT THIS EVENT.
THAT HE I'D TIED AT THIS EVENT.
>> HE'S GOING TO -- AND THESE >> HE'S GOING TO -- AND THESE ARE ALL THINGS ACTUALLY THAT HAD ARE ALL THINGS ACTUALLY THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN HAPPENING IN THE ALREADY BEEN HAPPENING IN THE PHILANTHROPIC WORLD.
PHILANTHROPIC WORLD.
THERE'S A BIG EFFORT TO GET THERE'S A BIG EFFORT TO GET MINORITY FAMILIES TO SPEAK MORE MINORITY FAMILIES TO SPEAK MORE WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
THERE IS REAL RESEARCH THAT THERE IS REAL RESEARCH THAT SHOWS TODDLER AND MINORITY SHOWS TODDLER AND MINORITY FAMILIES, JUST DON'T HEAR AS FAMILIES, JUST DON'T HEAR AS MANY WORDS.
MANY WORDS.
THREE MILLION FEWER WORDS THAN THREE MILLION FEWER WORDS THAN YOUNG WHITE CHILDREN.
YOUNG WHITE CHILDREN.
THAT MEANS THEY'RE AT A HUGE THAT MEANS THEY'RE AT A HUGE DISADVANTAGE WHEN THEY GET TO DISADVANTAGE WHEN THEY GET TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE OF THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE OF LITERACY.
LITERACY.
THIS COMMUNITY IS NOT READING AS THIS COMMUNITY IS NOT READING AS WELL GOING INTO FOURTH GRADE AS WELL GOING INTO FOURTH GRADE AS YOUNG WHITE PEOPLE ARE READING.
YOUNG WHITE PEOPLE ARE READING.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A PUSH THERE'S GOING TO BE A PUSH THERE.
THERE.
THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT THE THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH PRESIDENT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH ZERO TOLERANCE.
ZERO TOLERANCE.
THERE WAS A DISCIPLINE EFFORT THERE WAS A DISCIPLINE EFFORT THAT CAME MUCH THROUGH THE THAT CAME MUCH THROUGH THE 1990'S AND HAS CONTINUED IN 1990'S AND HAS CONTINUED IN RECENT YEARS.
RECENT YEARS.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS AFFECTS RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS AFFECTS THE COMMUNITY.
THE COMMUNITY.
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN EDGE COURAGING SCHOOLS TO BEEN EDGE COURAGING SCHOOLS TO REVISIT THOSE POLICY.
REVISIT THOSE POLICY.
AND THERE'S A CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THERE'S A CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ELEMENT.
REFORM ELEMENT.
THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF THIS THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY BEING CHANNELED FROM COMMUNITY BEING CHANNELED FROM SUSPENSIONS IN SCHOO SUSPENSIONS IN SCHOO CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IF YOU'RE A WHITE SUBURBAN KID AND YOU'RE A WHITE SUBURBAN KID AND YOU GET QUATH A LITTLE BIT OF YOU GET QUATH A LITTLE BIT OF POT IN YOUR BACKPACK IN YOUR POT IN YOUR BACKPACK IN YOUR SCHOOL OR PRIVATE SCHOOL, IT'S SCHOOL OR PRIVATE SCHOOL, IT'S NOT CLEAR THAT THE COMES WILL BE NOT CLEAR THAT THE COMES WILL BE CALLED -- CALLED -- GWEN: HE SAID HE SPOKE FROM GWEN: HE SAID HE SPOKE FROM EXPERIENCE.
EXPERIENCE.
>> HE IS THE FIRST PRESIDENT >> HE IS THE FIRST PRESIDENT THAT SAID HE GOT HIGH.
THAT SAID HE GOT HIGH.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT HE >> A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WOULD TALK MORE ABOUT THIS.
WOULD TALK MORE ABOUT THIS.
SOME SURMISED THAT HE WASN'T SOME SURMISED THAT HE WASN'T GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT UNTIL HE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT UNTIL HE GOT RE-ELECTED BECAUSE OF THE GOT RE-ELECTED BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY.
HISTORY.
WHAT TOOK SO LONG?
WHAT TOOK SO LONG?
AND IS THERE A SENSE THAT HE'S AND IS THERE A SENSE THAT HE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS WHEN HE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS WHEN HE LEAVES OFFICE?
LEAVES OFFICE?
>> THAT POINT IS GOING TO BE >> THAT POINT IS GOING TO BE RIGHT.
RIGHT.
THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES HE THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES HE TAKES WITH HIM WHEN HE LEAVES TAKES WITH HIM WHEN HE LEAVES OFFICE IN 2007 HE GAVE A SPEECH.
OFFICE IN 2007 HE GAVE A SPEECH.
HE SAID IF YOU ELECT ME,LY BRING HE SAID IF YOU ELECT ME,LY BRING A NEW DAWN OF JUSTICE.
A NEW DAWN OF JUSTICE.
HE WILL TAKE ON OTHER ISSUES AND HE WILL TAKE ON OTHER ISSUES AND WE'VE GOT THE HEALTH CARE FIGHT, WE'VE GOT THE HEALTH CARE FIGHT, THE DEFICIT BATTLE.
THE DEFICIT BATTLE.
HE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT HE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT RE-ELECTION.
RE-ELECTION.
JUST A MONTH BEFORE, HE GAVE AN JUST A MONTH BEFORE, HE GAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH BLACK ENTERPRISE INTERVIEW WITH BLACK ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE HE SAID, I'M NOT THE MAGAZINE HE SAID, I'M NOT THE PRESIDENT OF BLACK AMERICA.
PRESIDENT OF BLACK AMERICA.
HE DIDN'T WANT THAT IDEA THAT HE HE DIDN'T WANT THAT IDEA THAT HE WAS FAVORING ONE PARTICULAR WAS FAVORING ONE PARTICULAR GROUP.
GROUP.
I DID AN INTERVIEW BEFORE THAT I DID AN INTERVIEW BEFORE THAT ELECTION.
ELECTION.
AND I FOUND OUT THAT WHEN HE AND I FOUND OUT THAT WHEN HE CAME DOWN WITH HIS SENIOR AIDS CAME DOWN WITH HIS SENIOR AIDS JUST WEEK BFERS HE GOT JUST WEEK BFERS HE GOT RE-ELECTED, HE HAD A YELLOW NOTE RE-ELECTED, HE HAD A YELLOW NOTE PAD.
PAD.
EVEN IF THIS WASN'T AN ISSUE, HE EVEN IF THIS WASN'T AN ISSUE, HE PUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ON PUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ON THERE AND HE STARTED PUSHING -- THERE AND HE STARTED PUSHING -- GWEN: WE'VE GOT TO GO.
GWEN: WE'VE GOT TO GO.
MICHAEL'S MORE IN MICHAEL'S MORE IN STORY IN "TIME MAGAZINE."
STORY IN "TIME MAGAZINE."
>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE TO GIVE YOU >> WE HAVE TO LEAVE TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL A CHANCE TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PBS STATION.
PBS STATION.
BUT OUR CONVERSATION WILL BUT OUR CONVERSATION WILL CONTINUE ONLINE ON THE CONTINUE ONLINE ON THE "WASHINGTON WEEK" WEB CAST "WASHINGTON WEEK" WEB CAST EXTRA.
EXTRA.
IT STREAMS LIVE AT 8:30 AND ALL IT STREAMS LIVE AT 8:30 AND ALL EK LONG AT EK LONG AT PBS.ORG/WASHINGTONWEEK.
PBS.ORG/WASHINGTONWEEK.
AND THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL FIND MY AND THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL FIND MY TAKE AND WHY 1997 WAS SUCH A BIG TAKE AND WHY 1997 WAS SUCH A BIG YEAR FOR "WASHINGTON WEEK."
YEAR FOR "WASHINGTON WEEK."
WE'RE ACCEPTING BIRTHDAY WISHES.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
GOOD NIGHT.
