Top Secret America: a look at the expansive U.S. intelligence network. Then, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore weighs in on California politics and the state budget, and Congressman Brian Bilbray discusses immigration, renewable energy, and taxes. Later, football coach Pete Carroll on playing like a winner on and off the field.
Top Secret America: who runs the U.S. intelligence community?
On Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee holds confirmation hearings for James Clapper, tapped to be the new Director of National Intelligence. While the President’s pick for an intelligence chief might ordinarily make a speedy confirmation, Clapper steps into a storm of speculation about the size and structure of classified activity in the United States.
The Washington Post launched the first part of its series Top Secret America, Monday, a two year investigation into the growth of the U.S. intelligence community since 9/11. The project’s trove of data and maps details how many people have top secret clearance (858,000), where the government and its contractors operate (nationwide), and the pervasive redundancy in counterterrorism activities between agencies. Does the Post investigation paint an accurate portrait? Does transparency advance U.S. interests and keep government accountable to taxpayers? Or will the Post’s revelations harm ongoing counterterrorism efforts?
Guests:
William Arkin, co-author of investigative series Top Secret America appearing this week in the Washington Post; National Security reporter, Washington Post
Jon Lindsay, a Naval intelligence officer for 12 years, currently doing a PhD at MIT in International Security
Julian Sanchez, research fellow at the CATO Institute
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore weighs in on the state budget
After an unsuccessful primary bid against Carly Fiorina for the Republican nomination in the U.S. Senate race, Chuck DeVore has continued on as a member of the California State Assembly. While term limits will keep DeVore from seeking re-election this year, there is still a lot of work to be done before he leaves- twenty days into the fiscal year, the state is still without a budget. Chuck DeVore joins Larry Mantle to discuss the budget proposals from Governor Schwarzenegger and the State Legislature and what lies ahead for him after serving in Sacramento.
Guest:
Chuck DeVore, Republican California Assemblyman, represents CA Assembly District 70
Congressman Brian Bilbray on immigration, taxes and debt
As chair of the Immigration Reform Caucus, Congressman Bilbray is one of the go-to Republicans on the issue of illegal immigration. He supports Arizona’s controversial immigration law SB 1070 and thinks the Department of Justice’s law suit seeking to block the law is “frivolous.” Bilbray supports stronger border enforcement, as well as internal enforcement on illegal employers. In April, Bilbray was named one of the top ten people in Washington (along with President Obama) on renewable energy and biofuels. And, in response to the Gulf oil crisis, he’s advocating for a lesser dependence on fossil fuels, claiming that algae is “the fuel of the future.” Last week we spoke with Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra about some of the nation’s most pressing local and national issues. Today, Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray gives us a view from the right.
Guest:
Brian Bilbray, Republican Congressman representing California’s 50th District (Encinitas, Escondido), Chair of the Immigration Reform Caucus
Pete Carroll on Trojans' winning strategy
In nine years at USC, head football coach Pete Carroll led the Trojans to seven straight Pac-10 titles and two national championships. Now he’s taken his winning coaching strategy to the NFL to coach the Seattle Seahawks. Shortly after his departure for Seattle, however, the NCAA imposed several sanctions against the Trojans, including a two-year post-season ban due to inappropriate benefits given to former player Reggie Bush. Does Carroll’s legacy with the Trojans remain intact? What exactly will he be remembered for in the world of college football? Carroll writes in his new book Win Forever: Live, Work and Play Like a Champion that his primary job is to create competitive situations for his players, allowing them to maximize their full potential both on and off the playing field. Did USC's wins come at a grave cost to the institution?
Guest:
Pete Carroll, coach of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, former head coach of the USC Trojan football team;author of Win Forever: Live, Work and Play Like a Champion