The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer : WETA : September 16, 2009 7:00pm-8:00pm EDT; The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer

Captiing sponsored by acNEIL/LEHRER PRODUCTIONS

>> Ifill:OOD EVENING, I'M GWEN IFILL. ON THE NEWSHR THIS WEDNESDAY, THE LEAD STOR A KEY SENATE CMITTEE'S HEALTH CARE PLA WITHOUT A GOVEMENT RUN PLAN OR APPARENTEPUBLICAN SUPPORT. E OTHER NEWS OF THE DAY; ELIMINATG SAFE HAVENS FOR AL QAEDA, MARGARET WAER HAS THAT BATE; LOOKG BEHIND THE CURTAIN AT THE LE RACE MIGHT BE PLAYING IN THEEBATE OVER OBAMA ADMINISTRATI POLICIES; RAYUAREZ LOOKS AT A WATER BORNE TROPICAL DISSE IN EAST AFRA.

>> Srez: COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS IN THIS VILLAGEIN TANZANIA ARE PHING BACK AGAINST THEERRIBLE SCOURGE OF RIVER BLINDNESS. I'LL HAVE A REPORT.

>> Ifl: PLUS, A GLOBAL VIEW OF THE FINANCIAL CRISI PAUL SOLMAN INRVIEWS THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETAR FUND. MAJOR FUNDING F THE NEWSHOUR WH JIM LEHRER IS PROVIDED BY: ♪ ( RD ROCK GUITAR RIFF PLAYING

>> WE ARE INTEL, SPONSORS OF MORROW. CHEVRON THNATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION. SUPPORTING EDUCATN AND RESEARCH ROSS ALL FIELDS OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. AND WITH THE ONGOG SUPPORT OF THESINSTITUTIONS AND UNDATIONS. AND... THIS PROGRAM WAS ME POSSIBLE BY THEORPORATION FOR PLIC BROADCASTING. AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YO PBS STATION FROMIEWERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU.

>> Ifill: KEY U.S. SENATOR IN THEEALTH CARE DEBATE ROLLED OUT HIREFORM BILL TODAY. IT QUICKLY FOUND CRITICSN BOTH SIDES OF T AISLE. NEWSHOUR HEALTH CORRPONDENT BETTY ANBOWSER HAS OUR LEAD STORY REPORT.

>> Reporter: AFTEA SUMMER OF PUBLIC WRANGLING AND PRIVATE NEGOTTIONS, SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MAX UCUS UNVLED HIS HEALTH CARE BILL THIS AFTERNOON. IT CAME WITH A 1YEAR PRICE TAG OF856 BILLION.

>> IT REPRESENTS AN EFFORTO REACH COMMON GROUND AND A RE CHANCE FOR HEALTCARE REFORM. AND IIS BALANCED, A COMMON- SENSE BILL, THAT CAN PASS T SENATE. ACHIEVING REAL REFORM MEA THAT WE NEED THOLD THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE PRENTING THIS PACKAGE. ND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS PACKAGE DOES.

>> Reporter: TODAY IN BID FOR REPUBLIN BACKING, BAUCUS DID NOT INCLUDE A GOVERNMENRUN "PUBLIC OPTN". INSTEAD, HE PROPOSEDEMBER-RUN "CO-O" TO COMPETE WITH PRIVATE INSURERS. AND INDIVIDUALS AND SMLL BUSINESS WOULBE ABLE TO SHOP R INSURANCE ON WEB-BASED EXCHANGES. SENATOR BAUCUS BORED TO WIN REPUICAN SUPPORT THROUGH MONTHS OF MARATHON DEALMAKG SESSIONS. BUT NOT ONE OF THE THR REPUBLICAN NEGOATORS AMONG THE -CALLED "GANG OF SIX" SENORS SUPPORTED HIPLAN TODAY. WHAT'S MORE, THE CONCESSIO BAUCUS MADE JUSMAY DRIVE AWAY SO DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT. WEST VIRGINIA DOCRAT JAY ROCKEFLER BLASTED THE BILL YESTERDAY, IN A CONFERENCEALL WITH REPORTS.

>> THERE IS NO WAI CAN VOTE FOR THSENATE PACKAGE FOR A LOT OF RSONS AND, OBVIOUSLY, THE LACK OF PUBLIC OPTION IONE OF THEM. SO THAT I WANTO BE VERY CLEAR OUT.

>> Reporr: ANOTHER FINANCE COMITTEE DEMOCRAT, OREGON'S R WYDEN, COLAINED THE BAUCUS PLAN MAY DRIVE UP CTS FOR MIDDLE INCE AMERICANS.

>> IT WLD BE VERY HARD FOR A UNTED STATES SENATOR TO GO HO HAVE A COMMUNITY MEENG, AND LOOK MIDDLE-CLASS FOLKIN THE EYE AND SAY, "THIS IS HEATH SECURITY." THEY'RE GOING TO RPOND, "HEY, WA A MINUTE. AREOU TALKING ABOUT MY FAMILY PAYING MORE FOR HEAH CARE THAN WE ARE TODAY PLUSHE PROSPECT F A PENALTY OR BEING EXEMPT D STILL BEI UNINSURED." SO I THINKHERE'S A LOT OF HEAVLIFTING STILL TO DO.

>> Reporter: ON THE OTHER SE A REPUBLICAN THE "GANG OF 6" KE ENZI OF WYOMING SAID HE OBJECTS TO THE NEW PGRAMS AND SPENDI.

>> THE PROPOSAL REASED TODAY STILL ENDS TOO MUCH, AND IT DOES TOO LITTLE TO CUT ALTH CARE COSTS R THOSE WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. AT A TIME WHEN UR NATION FACES AN ESTIMAD $9 TRILLION DEFICIT IN THE COMING DECADE, WE SHOU TART ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN THE GREATEST NEED WHOUT CREATING UNSTAINABLE NEW TITLEMENT PROGRAMS. >>Reporter: BAUCUS ENVISIONED YING FOR THE N PROGRAMS WITH A HALF-TRILLION DOLRS IN CUTS TO EXISTINGOVERNMENT HEALTH PLANS, AND 50 BILLION IN NEW TAXES AND FEES. BUT SENA REPUBLICAN LEADER, MITCH McCONNELL, DENOUNCEDLL OF THE DEMOCRATIC-LED EORTS AS UNAFFOABLE GOVERNMENT TRUSIONS.

>> PEOPLE WANTORE CHOICE AND COMPETITION IN THE HETH CARE MARKET THEY CAN PICK A PLAN THAT WOULD WORK FOR THEIR FALY NOT ONE DICTAD BY POLITICIANS WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: AT THWHITE HOUSE, SPOKMAN ROBERT GIBBS CALLED THE BAUCUS BILL AN "IORTANT BUILDING BCK". THE FULLENATE FINANCE CMITTEE PLANS TO MEET TUESDAY TO BEGIN ITS CONSERATION OF THE BAUS PLAN.

>> Ifill: YOU CAN LISTENO BAUCUS SENATOBAUCUS'S NEWS CONFERENCE AND RD ANALYSIS OF HIS PROPOSAL ON OUR WEBSE NEWSHOUR.PBS.G. Ifill: IN OTHER NEWS TODAY STOCKS ROSEGAIN, ON WORD THAT INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT WAS UP IN AUGUST. THE DOW JONES INDURIAL AVERAGE GAIN 108 POINTS TO CLOSE ABOVE 9791. THE NASDAQOSE 30 POINTS TO OSE AT 2133. NATO ANNNCED 3 U.S. TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN DIED TUESDAIN A ROADSIDE BOING. THAT MA 22 AMERICANS KILLED THIS MONTH. JUST YESTERDAYTHE CHAIRMAN OF THE U.S.OINT CHIEFS ENDORSED THE IDEA OF SENDING MORE TROOPS. T TODAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA SAI HE ISN'T READY ANNOUNCE ANYTHG,

>> THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE DECISION PENDING ONESOURCES CAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THA I'M ABSOLELY CLEAR ABOUT IS YOU HAVE TO GET THETRATEGY RIHT, AND THEN MAKE DETMINATIONS ABOUT RESOURCES. YOU N'T MAKE DETERMINATIONS ABOUT SOURCES AND CERTAINLY YOU DON'T MAKE DETERMATIONS ABOUT SENDING YNG MEN AND WOMEN INTO BATTLE, WITHUT HAVING SOLUTE CLARITY ABOUT WHAT THE STRATEGYS GOING TO BE.

>> Ifil A NUMBER OF LEADING DEMOCRATS IN CONGRS HAVE SAID IN RECENTAYS THEY WILL OPPOSE SENDING MORE U.S. TROOPS AFGHANISTAN AT AST, FOR NOW. AFGHAN ELECTION OFFICIS ANNOUNCED TODATHAT PRESIDENT MID KARZAI WON LAST MONTH'S PRESIDENTIAL VOTE TRIGHT. E UNOFFICIAL RESULTS SHOWED KARZAI WITH MORTHAN 54% OF THE OTE. HIS CLOSEST CHALLENGER ABDULH ABDULLAH HAD NRLY 28%. DESPITE ALLEGATIONS OF FRAU A KARZAI SPOKESM SAID THE OPPOSITION WOULDEED A "MIRACLE" TO OVERTN THE RESULT. VIE PRESIDENT BIDEN PRESSURED THE COUNTRY'S LEARS TO WORK OUT THR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES. HE MADE THE ROUNDS INAGHDAD, MEETING TH TOP SUNNI AND SHI- ITE LEADERS. WAS THE SECOND DAY OF THE VICE PRESIDENT'S 3-D VISIT TO IRAQ. BACK IN THIS UNTRY, THE COMMUNY ORGANIZING GROUP ACORN SAID TODAY IT WILL UNCH AN INDEPENNT INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUC THE ORGANIZION ORDERED THE PROBE AFTER RING AT LEAST 4 MPLOYEES IN WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE. HIDDECAMERA VIDEO CAUGHT THEM APPEARING TO COUNSEL LEGAL ACTIVITY. IN ONE CASE, A WOMAN POSI AS A PROSTITUTE WAS URGED TO E ABOUT HER WORTO GAIN BENEFITS. THE SENATE VOTED MONY TO BLOCK FEDERAGRANTS TO ACORN.

>> Ifill: ANSTILL TO COME ON HE NEWSHOUR TONIGHT, RACE A OBAMA; BATTLI RIVER BLINDNESS TANZANIA; AND TAKING A GLOB VIEW OF THE FINCIAL CRISIS. THAT FOLLOWS, OUR LOOK AT CONTAINING AL QAEDA RRORISTS, MARGAT WARNER HAS THE STORY.

>> Warne SENIOR AL-QAEDA LEADER SALEH ALI SALEH NABN WA ONE OF SIX SUSPECTED MILITANTS KILL ON MONDAY, IN A DARING DAYGHT U.S. HELICOPTER ASSAULT IN SOUTHERN SOMAL. NABHAN W ONE OF THE MOST- WANTED AL-QAEDA OPERATIVESN THE REGION, FOR THE DEAD 1998 EAST AFRICANMBASSY BOMBINGS, 2002 BOMBINGS, AND THE BODY 2002 BOMBINGF A KENYAN BEACH RESORT POPULAR WITH ISRAELI NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO REPORD TODAY E ALSO TRAINED RECRUITS FROM MINNEAPOS TO JOIN THE RANKS OF A SOMALI GROUP OF ISLAMIC MILITANTS,L-SHABAAB. NABHAN WAS ING SHELTERED IN LAESS SOMALIA BY THAT GROUP, WHICH IS ELIEVED TO BE LOOSELY LINKED TO AL QAEDA. IT'S FUELED TWO DECAS OF FIGHTI IN PURSUIT OF ITS CHIEF AIM, TO PPLE THE SOMALI OVERNMENT. THE PENGON REFUSED TO COMMENT ON YESTERDAY'S RAID. BUTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTED THE ATTACK WAS RRIED OUT BY NAVY ALS AND ARMY HELICOPTERSAUNCHED OFF TWO .S. WARSHIPS IN THE REGION. THE RA PLAYED INTO AN ONGOING DEBATE IN WASHINGTON AUT HOW BEST TO COAIN AND DEFEAT AL QAEDA. THE U.S. S GONE AFTER MILITANT LEADERS IN WESTERN PAKIAN USING DRONE AACKS. BUT AFGHANISTAN, THE U.S. S SENT 65,000 GROUND COMBAT TROOPS TO HELP E AFGHAN GOVERNMENT TAKE ON THE INDIGENOUS ISLAMT GROUP, THE TALIN. YESTERDAY, JOINTHIEFS CHAIRMAN MIKE MULLEN TESTIFIED THE R WAS ESSENTIAL TO PREVEN AHANISTAN FROM AGAIN BECOMING A SAFE HAVEN R TERROR GROUPS KE AL QAEDA. AND TODAY, AEAKED DRAFT ADMINISTRATION DUMENT ON "EVALUATING PROGRESS IN AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTA UNDERSCORED THAPOINT. IT CITED AS OBJECTIVE 1. DISRUPT TERRIST NETWORKS IN GHANISTAN AND ESPECIALLY PAKISTAN TO DEGRADE ANABILITY THEY HA TO PLAN AND LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ATCKS. BUT INN OPINION PIECE IN TODAY'S "WASHINGTOPOST," ENTITLED "WHS AFRAID OF A TERRORISTAFE HAVEN?" FORMER CIA COUNTERTERROR OFFICIALAUL PILLAR DISMISSED THAT RATIOLE FOR THE WAR, CLING IT A "FLAW ASSUMPTION." TO TAKUP THE SAFE HAVENS ISSUE, PAUL PILLAR JOINS US. HE'S NOW AT GEORGETN UNIVERSITY. ALONG WITH: REUELERECHT A FORMER CASE OICER AT THE CIA HE IS CURRENTLY A SENIO FELLOW WITH THFOUNDATION FOR DENSE OF DEMOCRACIS. THANK YOU T-- THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE. PAUL PILLAR, SO, BEGNING WITH YOU, YOU CAED IT A FLAT SUMPTION, THE VERY ASSUMPTI AND OBJECVE THAT MIKE MULLEN AND THE PRESIDENT HAVEAID OUT, WHICH ITHE-- IS TO PRESENT AL QAEDA FROM RETURNI THERE AND ESTABLISHING HAVEN. WHAT IS FLAWED ABOUT TH AUMPTION?

>> WHAT WE VE HERE IS AN UNQUESTIONED ASSUMPION, AND AS YOUR PIECE-- AS THE IRO TO THE PIECE MADE CLEAR, THAT'S RATIONE NUMBER ONE FOR WHY WE ARE WAGING A COUNTER-INSUENCY IN AFGHANISTAN. THE PROBLEM WITH THPUBLIC DISCUSSN AND DEBATE WE'VE HAD IS THATETS INVOLVED ALMOST RITUALISTICALLY. WE SAY 9/11, CAME OM AFGHANISTAN, CAN'T HE A SAFE HAVEN. AND WHAT S NOT BEEN PART OF THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND DATE IS A DETAILED EXINATION OF WHAT SAFE HAVEN MNS AND HOW IORTANT IT IS TO AL QAEDA OR NY OTHER GROUP, AND MOST IMPOANTLY, HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE HAVING IT OR NOHAVING IT WOULD MAKE TO THE RRORIST DANGER TO THE UNITED STATES. AND LET ME BE CLEAR WE'VE STL GOT A JIHADIST, TERRORIST THREAT TO THE UNIT STATES. THE QUESON OUR POLICY MAKERS HAVE TO FACE RIT NOW IS HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE THERE WOULD IN THE DEGREE OTHAT THREAT WITH WITH OUR WITHOUT RTICULAR SAFE HAVEN FOR A PARTICULAR GRO.

>> Warner: LET'S HAVE O DEBATE NOW AND I WILL GIVE YOU ANOER QUOTOF YOURS. YOU SAID, ESSENTIALLY, TH A PHYSICAL HAVEN IS N AS IMPORTANT TO GRUPDZ LI AL QAE HAS NOT BEEN ASSUMED, AND YOU SAID E OPERATIONS MOST IMPORTANT FOR FUTURE RRORIST ATTACKS DO NOT NEEDUCH A HOME. WT'S YOUR EVIDENCE FOR THAT?

>> WE, LOOK AT 9/11 ITSELF. LOT OF... DID TAKE PLACEIN AFHANISTAN. BUT IT RATHER SIMPLISTIC TO SAY 9/11 CAME OUT OF AFGHANISTAN. MUCH OF THE MOSTMPORTANT PREPARATIONS TOOKLACE IN EUROPEANOUNTRIES. THEY TOOK PLACE RIGHT HERE I THE UTED STATES IN FLIGHT SCHOOLS. AND EVEN THINGSHAT DID TAKE PLACE IN AFGHANISTAN, ANEVEN THOUGH AL QAEDA AND OTHER TERRORIST GROUPS ME USE OF A SAFE HEN IF THEY HAVE IT ARE NOT NESSARILY CRITICAL ONES THAT HAVE TO TAKE PLACE ANY NE PHYSICAL SAFE HAVEN, MUCH LESS IN AFGHANISTAN.

>> Warner: SO HOW IORTANT IS THIS REUEGERECHT? IS THISN ASSUMPTION WE'VE JUST SET BY ROTE AND VEN'T EXAMINED?

>> I THINK SAFE HENS ARE IMPORTANT TO TERROST GROUPS WHEREVER THEY CAN ND THEM. THEY NEED TO HAVE DOWN TIE. THEY NEEDO HAVE IN SOMEPLACE WHERE THEY CAN PLOT AND PLN. THEY NEED TO HAVE SOMPLACE WITH SUFFICIT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY'RE T GOING TO GET KILLED THE NEXTAY. I WILL SAYHIS-- IN THE 1990, ORVEN AFTER 9/11, ONE COULD HAVE PTULATED THAT, ALL RIGHT, AL EDA HAS BEEN TRYING TO DEMOCRATIZTERRORISM SINCE THE LATE 19ITEs WHENHEY STARTED PUBSHING THESE ENPSYCHE PEDE YAZ OF JIHD. THE IDEA BEHIND ITS THEY COULD BE AS LETHAL THE HOME-PACED UNIT. I'M NOT SURE THAT'S TE. WE HAVE SEEN GRAUPZ OW OUT. IF I THINK THEY'D TELL YOU QUITE QUICY THAT THE PACK KEN CONNECTION, THE-- GOING BACK TO QAEDA CENTRAL, IS REALLY.

>> Warner: YOMEAN PAKISTANI ORIGIN-- >>HAT'S CORRECT. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LINKS AN NNECTIONS WE HAVE TO BE MORE PRESE EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TALNG ABOUT. THERE E ALL KIND OF LINKS TO AFGHANISTAN. WE STILL SEE TODAY INHE NETWORKAND THE GROUPS AND IN RELATIONSHIPS FRIENDSHI ANDjN RELATIONSHIPS THATERE FORMED BACK TN. THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE'RE LKING ABOUT T NEXT BIG THREAT TO THE ITED STATES HAVING BEENc%hW ING MOSTLY DONE, WE DON'T KN ALL THE DETAILS,EMOTELY.

>> THAT'A GOOD QUESTION. WOULD SAY IT GOES BACK TO TH OTHER REASONS WEE FIGHTING THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, AND THE HAVE TO DO WITWE'RE TRYING TO EVENT, ONE, THE DICALLIZATION OF PAKISTAN. IMAGINE A SCENARIO, E UNITED STATES WHDRAWS FROM AFGHISTAN. I THINK YORE GOING TO SEE TWO THINGIMMEDIATELY-- ONE,OU'RE GOING TO HAVEHE RETURN OF CIVIWAR IN AFGHANISTAN. ITS PROBABLY PRETTY QUICKLY YOU'LL EE THE TALIBAN BECOME THE DOMINANT GROUP INDE OF THE PASTT COMMUNITY. YORE GOING TO BE IN THE SITUATION WHERE THE UTED STATES IS GNG TO HAVE TO GET NVOLVE IN THE CIVIL WAR. THE RADICALIZATION EFFE, BOTH IN AFGHISTAN AND PAKISTAN, I SUSPECT WOULD BE ENORMOUS.

>> Warner: IS IGIVEN AL QAEDA WOLD WANT TO RETURN FROM PAKISTAN AND REESTLISH ITSELF IN AFGHANISTAAND THAT IF THE TABAN TOOK OVER, THEY WOULD WELCOMEHEM? THAT'S A LOTF ASSUMPTION.

>> NO, I THINK THE TALIBAWOULD WELCOME THEM. I THINK THE RADICLIZATION OF THTALIBAN MOVEMENT IS PRETTY PROFOUND AND IT'S DEEP. WHEN YOU E INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GROWN IN THE TALAN NETWORK, I THINK YOU WOU BE QUICKLY STING AT THE SAME SITUATION AS IN 96 WHEN BIN LADEN WAS WELMED THERE. IF PLND HAD MORE ROOM MANEUVER, I THINKE'D TAKE IT. ANDLSO I HAVE TO SAHE EMOTIONALLY IS ATTACHETO AFGHANISTAN. HE COULD GO BACK THERE, IFHE COULD GET OUT OF THE COON HE IS IN IN THE NTHWEST AREA OF PAKISTAN, I THINHE WOULD GO FO IT QUITE QUICKLY.

>> THE ISES OF AFGHANISTAN HA BEEN DISCUSSED AND DEBATED A LOT RECTLY, BUT THOSE ARE SE OF THOSE OTHER RATIONALED ABOUTS NUMBER ON-.

>> Warner: WHAT ABOUT THEOINT WHHER AL QAEDA WOULD WANT TO RURN FROM WHERE IT IS NOW, TH MAIN LEADERSHIP? IS IT A GIN, DO YOU THINK, OR DO YOU INK IT'S NOT A GIVEN?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A GEN. THO ARE DECISIONS THAT BIN LADEN AND ZAWARI WOU NOT HAVE MADE. THEY HAVE A HOSPITAB VIRONMENT IN THE FEDERA-- TRIBAL AREA WHERS THEY REPORTEDLY ARE HIDINOUT. AND I DON'T THINK IT IS GOOD ONE, NO.

>> Warner: VERY BRIEFL DO YOU THINK AT IF THAT WAS THEIR INTENTIO IT COULD BE HANDLED IN ANOTHER WAY, NOT BUSING BOOTS ON THE GROUNDUT BY DOING IS OFFORE?

>> I DO AGREE WH THAT. AND THE CENT OPERATION AGAINST THE INDIDUAL IN SOMALIA, WHICH WAS AT THE TOP OF YR PIECE, IS AN EXCELLENT EXPLE, SKILLFULLY EXECUTED, PRECISELY TARGED, AND DIDOT RELY ON PRIOR BOOTS THE GROUND.

>> I THINK IF WE LVE AFGHANISTAN, YOUL SEE THE INTELLIGENCE CONNECON WITH THE PAKISTANIS COLLAPSE. IF IT COLLAPSES, OUR ALITY TO TAET AL QAEDA DISCIPLINES. -- DISAEARS.

>> Waer: THANK YOU, BOTH, VERY MUCH.

>> Ifill:OW, THE OLD DATE FEEDING NEWISCUSSION ABOUT THE PRESIDENT AND HIS POLICIE THE QUESTION OF RACE HAS SIMMER ON THE BACK BURNER OF THE NATIONADEBATE OVER PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AGENDA. BUT FORM PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER TURNED UP THE HEAT YESTERDAY.

>> I TNK AN OVERWHELMING PORTION OF THINTENSELY MONSTRATED ANIMOSITY TOWARD PREDENT BARACK OBAMA IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT HE A BLACK MAN, THAHE'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN. I LIVE IN E SOUTH, AND I'VE SEEN THE SOUTH COME A LONG Y, D I'VE SEEN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY THAT SHARETHE SOUTH'S ATTITUDE TOWARD MINITY GROUPS, AT THAT TE PARTICULARLY AICAN-AMERICANS, THAT RACISM INCLINATION STILLXISTS. AND THINK IT'S BUBBLED UP TO THE SURFACE BECAUSE OA BELIEF AMONG MA WHITE PEOPLE, NOT JUST IN THE SOUTH BUT AROUNTHE COUNTRY, TH AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO LEAD TH GREAT COUNY. IT'S AN ABOMIBLE CIRCUMSTANCE D GRIEVES ME AND CONCERNS ME VERY DEEPLY. EIGHT MONS INTO THE OBAMA ESIDENCY, THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF THE AMOSITY PRESIDENT RTER SPOKE OF. NO OBAMA CARE!!!

>> Ifill: CH OF IT SEEMED TO COME TO A BOIL DURING HTED TOWN HA MEETINGS ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM. SAY NO TO SOCIALISM!

>> Ifl: IN SOME CIRCLES, THE OPPOSITION QUICKLY SHTED TO RACE-BASEDRITIQUE MUCH OF IT FOUND IN IMES SHARED ACROSS E INTERNET, OR N CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOWS.

>> THIS PRESIDENT I THI HAS EXPOSED HIMSE AS A GUY OVER D OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHO H A DEEP SEATED HATRED FOR ITE PEOPLE OR THWHITE CULTURE, I N'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

>> Ifill: DIO TALK SHOW HOSTS GATHERED IN WASHINGTON YEERDAY, MANY OF THEM TO OPPOSE THE PRESIDENT'S POLICS. ROGER HEDGECOCK OF RADIO ARICA NETWORKS SAITHAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE OPPOSING THE PRESIDT.

>> I MEAN, T FIRST REACTION I GET IN CRITICISM OF BARACK AMA IS, WELL YORE A RACIST. WELL, NO I JUST DISAGR WITH HIM ON HETH CARE. THAT SOMEW YOU'RE A RACIST IF YOU BELIEVE THAT, THAT IFOU OPPOSE THE PREDENT YOU'RE THIS THAT. I JUST THINK THAT WE OUG TO OPEN UP ANDNDERSTAND THAT WE DO VE A DEMOCRACY, PEOPLE ARE ENITLED TO THEIR POINT OF VIE AND YOU OUGHT THAVE A RESPECTFUL HEANG OF ALL POINTS VIEW. >Ifill: WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS PREFER TO STAY ABO THE FRAY.

>> THERESIDENT DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE CRITICISM MES BASED ON THCOLOR OF HIS SKIN.

>> Ifill: GIBBS SD THE PRESIDENTREFERS TO STAY FOSED ON POLICY. WE TAKE A CSER LOOK NOW AT THE ISSUE OF RACE IN OUR POLICAL DISCOURSE WH. WITH DEMOCRIC POLLSTER CORNELL BELCHER, WHO WORKED FOR T OBAMA CAMPAIGN. MATT WELCH, EDITORN-CHIEF OF THE LERTARIAN "REASON GAZINE". OHN McWHORTER, SENIOR FELLOWT THE MANHATTANNSTITUTE. AND MELISSA HARS-LACEWELL, PRFESSOR OF POLITICS AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDS AT PRINCETON UNIVERSI. START TH YOU. HOW MUCDO YOU THINK RACE IS A PART OF AT WE ARE HEARING, THIS ANGER WE'VE BEEN HEARI DURING THE PAST COUPLE OFONTHS ESPIALLY?

>> CERTAIY, NO ONE CAN QUANTIFY THE PERCENTE OR THE AMOUNTF CRITICISM AND EXACTLY WHAT 'S COMING FROM. THERE'S NO ESTION PEOPLE HAVE PRINCLED DISAGREEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT. THERE'S ALSO NO QUESTI THAT IF ONE H PRINCIPLED DISAGREEMENT WITH A PERSOOF COLOR AND YOU CHOOSE NOT EXPRESS IT SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT PERSON IS BCK OR LATINO OR ASIAN, THAT TT IS ACTUALLY RE RACIST THAN GOING AHE AND EXPRESSING YOUR DISAGREEMENT. BUT I THINK IT'SLSO CLEAR-- AND THIS IS WHAT PREDENT CARTER KED US TO THINK ABOUT-- THAT IN THIS PARTICULAR CONTT OF AMERICAN HTORY, AT THIS MOMENT WITH A BLACK PRESINT, WE NEEDO BE PARTICULARLY CEFUL ABOUT HOW WE FRAME AND W WE TALK ABOUT OUR DISAGREEMENTS BECAUSE IT'S CAR ALSO, THAT RACIAL ANIMS AND BIGOTRY, HAS FOUND ITS WAINTO E OPPOSITION IN A WAY THAT'S QUITE DISTRACTI FROM THE PRINCIPLED POSITIONS T OPPOSITION MAY HAVE

>> Ifill:ORNELL BELCHER, YOU SPENT A GREATEAL OF TIME IN THE PAST COUPLE OFI OF YOUR LIFE MEASURING THIS FOR THE OBA CONSERVATISM. NOW THAT YOU SEE HIM IN FICE ACTING ON HIS POLICIES, H MUCH IS LEFTOVER BAFEELING ABOUT RACE ANHOW MUCH BAD FEELING BOUT POLICY?

>> I THINK YOU CAN'T SEPATE IDEOLOGY FR ADVERSE RACIAL TITUDES, AND I THINK IT'S A FALSE CONVERSATION WHEPEOPLE Y IS IT RACISM OR IDEOLOGY? WE CAN QUANTY THE TWO SHARE A SIMILAR SPACE, WHERE YOU FND THOSE THE FURTHEST FRINGE ON T RIGHT HOLD THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF AERSE RACI ATTIDES.

>> Ifill: YORE SAYING THERE IS RESEARCHO...

>> I'M NOT SAYING IT'SOUND OR DRIVEN BY RAC I THINK WE SULD UNDERSTAND RACIALLY ADVSE ATTITUDES A WELL AS FAR-RIGHT CONSERVATE THINKING SHARE A SIMAR SPACE. I'M IN THE SING THEY'RE CAUSAL BUT THEY SHARE A SIMIR SPACE WHE YOU FIND THE VOTERS WITH T FURTHEST RIGHT IDEOLOGICAL BIT ARE ALSO THOSWITH THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF RACIA ADVERSE ATTITUDS. I'M NOT SURPRISEWHEN I SEE SOME OF WHAT I SAW ON THE LA WITH E TEA PARTY THING GOING OSOME OF THE SIGNS IAW AND SOME OF THE ATTITUDES. I' NOT MAKING A VALUE JUDGMENT OF IT, BUT YOU CAN QNTIFY THOSE VOTERS ARE THE ES WHO HOLD THE MOST RACIALLYDVERSE ATTITUDES SO DOES SLIP INTO THE CONVERSION. >>Ifill: MATT WELCH, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TT? "REASONHAS BEEN COVERING THE TEA PARTY?

>> HERE'S HOW I APPROACH TH PROBLE IF THIS IS TR, IF THERE'S IGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF PEOE WHARE MOTIVATED BY, LET'S SAY, RACIAL ANXTY, NOT OUTRIGHT RACISM IN TIR OPPOSITION TO BAMA, THEN WHAT ELSE WOULD W SEE? HOW WOULD WE EXPECT THAT MANIFE ITSELF? I WOULD EXPECT IT TO MANEST ITSELF AT AINIMUM WITH PEOPLE EXPRESSINGHETHER IN SIGN ANNUAL OR CONVERSATION HOBUTTON ISSUES, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, WELFARE EXPWEENZ WHATNOT. WHT I SAW IN THE CROWD WHEN TALKINTO PEOPLE WAS ALMOST NONE OF THAT. WE SAW A LOT OF DIFFERENT SNS OUT THERE, BUT T VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE I TALKED TO D THE DISPLAYS THEY WERE MAKING W ACTUALLY PRETTCOHERENT. THEWERE AGAINST GOVERNMENT OVERREACH D SPENDING IN THEIR LIVES AND IN THE ECONOMY,ND I SAW A PRECIOULITTLE-- AND I EVEN TRIED TO TEASE PEOPLE UT, "WHAT DO YOU THINK AUT THAT OBAMCHARACTER? IS HE LEGITITE? IS HE NOT? A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID, "HEYI LIKE THE GUY. I DISAGREE WITH HIS PICIES." I HAVE A HD TIME GOING TO THE NEXT STEAND ASSUMING THEIR MOTIVATION IS SOMEHO SUPPLEMENTATED TH I CAN'T MEASUR

>> HOW ABOUTHAT JOHN McWHORTER IS THERE A SUBMINAL MESSAGE OR IS MATT WELCH RIGH MAYBE WE'RE OVERSTATING THE SOURCE OF PEOPLE'S DISCONTENT?

>> WELL, IT A DIFFICULT ISSUE, D THAT'S AN INHERENT PARTOF THIS, THAWE REALLY CAN'T KNOW WRE TO DRAW THE LINE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE PSHOLOGICAL TOOLSET, BUT I PERSONALLY FEEL FOR EXALE, JOE WILSON WOULD NOT HAVE YELLED THE WAHE DID IF THE PRESIDENT IN AN ALRNATE UNIVERSE HADECOME JOHN EDWARDS. IT'S A GUT FEEL. WE CAN'T KNO THAT'S WHY I FEEL WITH ALLOF THIS-- LET'S SAY RACM IS A PART OF . IT'S MY GUTEELING IT IS-- WE'RE AT THE POT WHERE THE QUESTION IS HOW SIGFICANT IT IS? HATEVER ROLE RACISM IS PLAYI IN ALL THESE CTICISMS, IT'S NOT GOING TO CHASE THE MAN O OF OFFICE. IT'S N GOING TO MAKE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE WHEER HE DOES OR DOESN'T GET RE-ECTED, AND THE RACISM ITSELF IS NOT ING TO DEIL HEALTH CARE OR ANYTHING ELSE. SO MY QUESTION IS NOT WHETR RACI IS INVOLVED-- I SUSPECT THAIT IS-- BUT EXACTEE WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABO AND WHY ARE WE EVATING IT AS IF THERE'S SOMETHG ALARMIST ABOUT IT WHEN MAYBE IT'S JUST A RAER MUNDANE FT SFWLEN YOU'RE SUGGEST EVEN IF IS RACISM, IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH?

>> YOU KN, FRANKLY, YEAH. I INK THAT THERE IS RACISM THAT DOES MATTERBUT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TSE KIND OF ATTITUDES, THESE TINCTUS OF FEELING THAT WE CAN'T QUE EVEN GET A NDLE ON, IT SEEMS TO ME WE OUTLAWED LALIZED SCRIMINATION AND SEGREGATION AND SOCIALLY WE WHAVE PRESCRIBED OPEN BIG ON T TREE SO IT'S PCTICALLY EQUIST TO PEDOPHIA AND THAT IS FINE. BUT WILL WE EVER REACH A INT AS HUMAN BEIN WE CAN ELIMINATE RACE-BASED BIAS? I DON'T SEE IT. I DON'T SEE HOW TH COULD HAPPEN. WE'REEEING A RATHER UNFORTUNA BREECH OF CIVILITY. I'M NOT SURE HOW PERFT WE CAN GET D WE HAVE SO MANY OTHER THIN TO TALK ABOUT.

>> Ifill: LET'S FLIPHIS A LITTLE BIT. HE MEKZED JOHN EDWARD IF IT HAD EN JOHN EDWARDS, PERHAPSOE WILSON WOULDN'T HAVE HOLLED. IF IWAS HILLARY CLINTON AND IT S A GENDER ISSUE, YOU CAN IMAGINEE'D BE HAVING THE SAME DEBATE BASED ON GENDER.

>> I THINK YOUAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE PASSION AN BRUTALITY THAT HAS BEENUR HISTORY OF RACE MTERS IN THIS COUNTRY, DIFFERENFROM WHAT IS ROUND GENDER. THERE IS STEOTYPES THAT EVERY WOMAN HAS TO OVERCO, THE SAME WAY EVERY AFCAN OR HISPANIC HAS TO OVERCOME INNOCULATE THEMSELVES FROM THAT. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD AS PASONATE. DO THEY STL DIEHL WITH THE SAME SREOTYPES? ABSOLELY, IT'S PART OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY.

>> Ifill: IT'S PART OFMERICAN SOCIETY THE PRESIDE SHOULD SPEAK TO? DO YOGREEN WITH JOHN McWHORTER EVN IT IS RACISM, SO WHAT?

>> I'M NOT CALLING THEM RACST IN A WAY TT'S MAKING A VALUE JUDGMENT OF THEM. CEAINLY A CERTAIN PIECE ON THE FAR RIGHT THAT HOLD ADVER RACIAL AT ATTITUDES BUT WEAVE TO UNDERSTANDHOSE ATTITUDES TO MOVE THE CONVERSATN AHEAD. WE'RE O VERY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES RACIALLWHERE YOU HAVE MAJORITY OF WHITES WHO THINK WE ARE POST-RACL BECAUSE THEY INK AFRICAN AMERICAN HAVE THE SAME ADNTAGE AS THEY DO. THEY DO NOT YOU HAVE AARGE SWATHF WHITE WHOA ARE LIKELY TO SEE REVERSE DISCRIMINAON. UNLESS WE'REAVING THESE CONVERSATIONSND UNDERSTANDING EACH SIDE WE CAN'T MOVE RWARD.

>> Ifl: WE JUST LOST MELISSA HARRIS-LACEWELL. I WANT TO G BACK TO YOU RACE DIRIMINATION IDEA. HAVE YOU HEARD, THAT NOT LY AM NOT A PERSON GUILTY OF RACI BIAS, BUIN FACT PEOPLE ARE DIREING IT AT ME?

>> YOU KNOWNOT THAT MUCH. OU HEAR SOME OF THAT, BUT THK ABOUT IT-- WEUST HAD A 2008 ELECTION, SEVEN YEARS AFT WE WERE ATTACKED BY 19 FORGN HIJAERS, AND A GUY WHO IS NOT VERY WELL EXPERIENCED FOREIGN POLICY WHE MIDDLE NAME IS HUSSEIN, WHO IS BCK, HE WINS OVERWHELMINGLY INHIS COUNTRY. I THK WE LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT SOMETIMES THAT WE'VMADE INCREDLE PROGRESS. WE HE A MUCH MORE TOLERANT COUNTRY, I THINK, TH PEOPLE REALIZE. WE DIDN'T AUALLY SEE MUCH IN THE WAY OF RACIAL POLITS IN THE 2008 ELECTION. WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN THE LEARSHIP OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WITH EIR LAST THREE MAJOR PRESIDENTIALANDIDATES. SO THINK THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR THIS SORT OF CTURE WAR BOGEYMAN THAT'S LARGELYONE TO HE SIDELINES. THE WHITE RESENTMENCANDIDATE IN 200FOR THE REPUBLICAN SIDE MAYBE OF TOM TANCREDO. HE G DRUBBED. HE GOT NOERE. I THINK 'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE MAYBE THERE IS SOMEF THAT RACIAL ANXIETY IN THE. I AUME THERE IS, BUT IT'S NOT A DOMINANT OI DON'T THINK EVEN A SIGNIFICANT ANIMATI FEATURE IN EITHER REPUBLICAN POLITI OR AMERICAN POITICS BECAUSE RACISM ISN POPULAR. >>Ifill: CORNELL BELCHER, YOU RE SMILING WHEN HE MADE THE POINT. WHY? > I WAS SMILING BECAUSE, FRANKLY, I THI WE'RE NOT GOING TO PRETEND THAT RACL ATTITUDES AND SORT OF THE RACE CARDSN'T STILL PLAYED IN AMERICAN POLITICS. IT HAS BEEN FOR WHILE. A COUP OF YEARS BACK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLAN PARTY APOLOGIZED F SOUTHERN STRATE. I DON'T THINK EY'RE THAT FAR REMOVED FR IT THAT IT STOPPED BEG PLAYED. I THINK THE BEAUTY IS WE' OVERCOMI IT AND YOU SEE PRESIDENT OBAMA ABLE TOVERCOME THOSE STEREOTYPES THIA WAY THAT MANY BLACK PEOPLE DIDT THI WOULD HAPPEN IN THEIR FETIME.

>> I CAN HEAR.

>> Ifl: MELISSA HARRILACEWELL, I WANT TO BRING YOU BACK INTO T CONVERSATION. DO YOU THK THE DISCUSSION WE ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW IS HLTHY OR CORROSIVE?

>> WELL, THINK IT'S JUST SLIGHTLMISGUIDED. WE'RE PRETDING AS THOUGH RACISM IS A THG THAT WE CAN IDTIFY. IS THAT AN APPLOR IS IT AN ORANGE, D THEN WE CAN HAVE AN ARGUMENT ABOUT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF IT AND DETEINE WHETHER IT'S AN APPLE OR AN ORANGE. BUT RACE, OF COURSE,S SOCIALLY SKRUKTD. 'S GIVEN MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF HISTO AND TIME AND SPACSUPERPOWER SO THE BIG QUESTION ON DETERMINING ETHER OR NOT SOETHING IS RACHT OR THE IMPUL IS RACIST, OR IF THERE'S RACIAL ANIMOUS, WE VE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHO HAS A RIT TO DESCRIBE, DENE, AND CALL IT THAT. IT'S ALMOST UNIVERSALLTRUE THAT NATIVISSENTIMENT, NARCIST SENTIMT, RACIST SENTIMENT IS NOT CALLED THAT THOSE WITH THOSE IMPULSES AND IT'S IN CT PEOPLEIKE PRESIDENT CARTER, AFRICAN AMERIN, AND ORDINARY CONVERSATION W ARE SAYING, "WAIT A MINUTE. I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WH HOW MY FELLOW CITIZENSRE REPRESENTING THIS CRITIQUE." AND I THINK WE FAIL IF DON'T ALLOW THOSE VOICESO HAVE A VERY STRONG SAY IN WHHER OR NOT THESE BEHAVIORSONSTITUTE RACISM, JUST AEALLY GOOD EXAMPLE. THE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU COULD USE THE WO "NEGRO." IT WAS THE APOPRIATE WORD TO USE WHEN TALKING ABOUAFRICAN ERICANS. IF YOU U NEGRO NOW IN POLITE CONVERSATION, NOT HISTORIAL COERSATION, IT'S CONSIDERED A TE OF RACISM. AND THAT GETS REDEFINED BY ACK PEOPLE THEMSELVES. SO I THINK WE HAVE LISTEN TO RACIALLY MARGINALIZ PEOPLE TELL US WHATHESE EXPRESSIONS MEAN FOR THEM AS CITINS.

>> Ifill: OHN McWHORTER, WHAT DO YOU ME OF THE THEOR SNE I'M URIOUS ABOUT WHETHER JIMMY CARTER HAVING SAIDHIS COUNTS MORE THAN YOUR HAVINGAID THIS, IF YOU HAD SAID WHAHE SAID?

>> MY AUDIO WENT OUT. > I ACTUALLY THINK THAT IT IA VERY IMPORTANT THING HAT JIMMY CART HAS MENTIONED THIS. DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY HAR IN POINNG OUT THE FACT THAT RACISM MAOR EVEN DOES PLAY A PART IN WHAT'SOING ON. BUT IT JUST SEEMS TOE THAT IT USED TO BE WE WE TALKING ABOUT HOW E RACISM OUT THERE MIGHT KEEP BARA OBAMA FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. I UND THAT TO BE A VERY URGE ISSUE. THIS TIME, WE'RE SAYING AT THE RACISMELL, WHAT? WE'RE REAL JUST DESCRIBING METHING THAT'S NOT GOING TO AWAY ANY TE SOON, AND I DON'T THINK REALLYAS THAT MUCH EFFECT UPOTHE WAY OUR LIVES AND THE WAY THE GOVERNMENOF OUR LIV IS GOING TO BE GOING.

>> Ifill: SO YOU' SAYING--

>> I JUST THINK THAT RELY IT'S LIKE SAYING EY'RE MOSQUITOES. YEAH, THERE ALWA WILL BE. BUT WE HAVETHER THING TO THINK ABUT THAN THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MOSQUITOES.

>> ill: WHETHER IT'S JEREMIAH WRIGHOR HENRY LOUIS GATES JR. OR WHAT JIMMY CARR SAID ABOUT THIS, THE TEA BAGGERS, 'S ALWAYS GOING TO WITH US?

>> IN SOME RM IT IS, AND IN SOME CASES WE NEEDO SOUND THE ALARM. IN OTHER CASES I ST THINK THERE ARE BIGGER FISH TO FRY

>> Ifill: BIGGER FISHO FRY MATT WELCH?

>> AT I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOE TO DO WHILE CONTINUING TO LK FOR LEGITIMATEXPRESSES OR ILGITIMATE EXPRESSIONS OF RACISM IN A UNTRY TORN BY THE ISSUE AND BY THE EXISTCE OF IT IN TIMES PAS ALSO KEEP AN OPEN MINDBOUT TAKING PEOPLE AT THEIR WORD ABOUT WHAT TY'RE TAING ABOU THENE WAY THAT I SEE THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN SOMHAT CORROSIVE OR THE PONTIAL TO BE CORROSIVES THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY USI THE SORT OF BROAD BRUSH OF THANTI-OBAMA PROTESTERSS ALL BIRTHERS OR, YOU KNOWRACISTS OR WHATEVER AS A WAY TO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT EY'RE ACTUALLY PROTESTING AN SAYING. IT'S A WAY TO DELETIMIZE PEOPLE FROM THE BATE. I THINK TAT'S UNFORTUNATE AND ITOESN'T LEAD TO A KIND OF ADVANCING OF ANY KIND OF DISCUSSION. SO LANCING THOSE THINGS IS AN POSSIBLE TASK, AND WE'RE PA OF THAT PROSRIGHT HERE AND WE SHOULCONTINUE IT BUT KEEP AN OPEN MD OF ACTUALLY LISTENG TO WHAT PEOPLE SAY THEY'RE INTERESTED I

>> IfillQUICK QUESTION-- WHAT SHOULD THE PSIDENT SAY, ANYTHI?

>> I THINK THPRESIDENT NEEDS TO FOCUS ON PSING HEALTH CARE.

>> Ifill: AY CORNELL BELCHER, MATT WELCH, JO McWHORTER AND MELISSA HARRIS-LEWELL, THANK YOULL VERY MUCH.

>> Ifill: NEXT, THE SECO OF RAY SUAREZ'GLOBAL HEALTH REPORTFROM THE EAST AFRICAN NATION OF TANZANIA. TONIGHT, RAY LOOKS AT EFRTS TO COMBAT RIER BLINDNESS.

>> Suarez:HE TOWN OF TANGENI, IN NZANIA'S SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS, IS LIKETHER VILGES IN TANZANIA'S AGRICULTURAL HEARTLAND: EVERYTHING REVOLVES AROUNTHE RIVER, WASHI, BATHING, RMING. THE CLIMATE IS TROPAL. THE PEOPLE ARE SUBSISTENCE FARMERS. THE VILLAGE ITSELFNAKES FOR MILES THROUGH THE MOUAINS, ALONG THEATER'S EDGE. BUT THE SAME WATETHAT IS TANGENI LIFELINALSO BRINGS DANGER. THE RIVER IS HOME TO TERBLE TROCAL DISEASES THAT WREAK HAVOC ON TANGENI'S POPUTION DISEASES LIKE RIVER BLINESS WHI CAN CAUSE SEVERE SKIN ALIMENTS AND LOSS OF EYEGHT. DR. GRE SAGUTI IS AN OPAMOLOGIST. >>SOMEONE WILL SCRATCH HIMSELF THE WHOLE DAY, 24 URS. THIS PEON IN THIS COMMUNITY HAS TO GO TOTHE FARM HAS TO LTIVATE IN ORDER TO GET FD. SO SATCHING THEMSELVES TO THE WHOLE DAY THEY CANNOPRODUCE. THEY CANNOT TAKE CE OF THEIR FAMIL. THEY CANNOT PROGRESS ECONOMICALLY. HEALTHWISE THEY WILL ASO BE AFFECTED BAUSE YOU CANNOT EVEN HAVE GOOD FOOD INRDER TO BE HEALTH SO ITS A PSYCHOLOGICAL, OCIAL, AND ECONOMICAL EFFEC

>> Suarez: WORLDWIDE, 3MILLION PEOPLE A INFECTED WITH ONCHORCIASIS, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS RIVER BLINDNS, MOST LIVE INOOR RURAL AFRICA. THE FLTHAT BRINGS RIVER BLINDNESSREFERS TO BREED IN FAST RUNNING WATER, STHE MOUNTAINOUS AREAS OTHIS COUNTRY ARE MORE PRONEO THE DISEASE, D ITS NOT JUST ONE BITE THAT INFECTS A PERSON,TS BEING BITTEN REPEATEDLY STHAT THE WORM THAT CAUSESHE TERRIB DISEASE GETS TO BREED INSIDE THE HUMAN BODY. WHEN THE FLY BREEDS, IT NEE THEUMAN BLOOD FOR THE EGGS TO MATURE IT GOES INTO A CYCLEIT GROWS TO BECO A BIG WORM, AND THE FEMALE AND MALE WORM,WHETHEY MATE, EY PRODUCE.

>> Suez: TO BREAK THE LIFE CLE OF THE WORM, VILLAGERS I TANGENI GATHER ONCE A YEARAT THE LOL HEALTH DISPENSARY TO COLLECT FESAVING DRUGS FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS. THE VOLUNTEER PROGM, CALLED ONCHOCERCIASIS CONTROL, OAPOC, USES LOCALILLAGERS ACROSS AFRICA, TO DISTRIBUTE IVERMTIN, A DRUG DONATED BY MERCK THAT MUST BE TAKENVERY YEAR FOR FIFEN YEARS. COMMUNITY DRUG DISTRIBUTORS HOUSE TO HOUSE,SING A MEASURING STICTO DETERMINE THE OPER DOSAGE FOR EACH RESIDEN EACH VISIT IS CAREFULY RECORDED, THEEAM WILL BE BACK A YEAR WITH THE NEXT PILLS. DR. UCHE AMAZIGO ERSEES THE DRUG DTRIBUTION PROGRAM.

>> TY HAVE COME TO ESTABLISH A HUGE NETWORK IN ALL ESE COMMUNITIES IN MORE THAN20,000 COMMUNITIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. AND EACH DISTRIBUT OF IVEECTIN TREATS AT LEAST 50- 100 PEOPLE IN A YEA DISTRIBUTE DRU. SOME OF THEM DTRIBUTE TO 500 PELE IN A YEAR.

>> Suarez: THE WORLD HEAL ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEDRUG STRIBUTION RESULTS IN JULY: DRAMATIC DROP IN CASES OFIVER BLINDNESS. THE PROGRAM'S SO EFFTIVE THAT NEW DRUGS ARE BEING GIV TO DISTRIBUTORS TOREVENT OTHER DISEASES, ONES OFTEN REFERR TO ASNEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES". OVER ONE BILLION PEOPLE SUER FRM ONE OR MORE NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASE. >>WE COINED THE WORD NEGLECTED BECAUSE IT WAS ABSUTELY IMPORTANT DRAW THE ATTENTION OFHE LEADERS, POLITICIANS, AND THE BIG AGENCIES TOHE FACT THAT WHILE WE TALKBOUT THE BIG THREE: MALARIA,B, HIV- IT IS EQALLY IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT HOSE DISEAS OF THE POOREST AT HAVE NO VOICE IFOU PULL ALL OF THEM TOGETHER THE BURDEN OF THESDISEASES OUTWEIGTHAT OF MALARIA AND HIV/AIDS.

>> arez: IN ADDITION TO TAKING DRUGS FOR RIVER BLDNESS, EVERYE IN TANGENI ALSO TOOK DRUGS FOR MPHATIC FILARIASIS, COMMONLY CALLED ELEPHANTIIS. THIS ELDERLY COUPLHAS BOTH DISEASES HE HAS ELEPNTIASIS, SHE WENTLIND FROM RIVER INDNESS

>> SHE WA USING A KNIFE TO SCRATCH. SHE STARTED ITCHING EYEFOR A LONG TIME

>> WHEN YOU PICK UP THE, NEWSPAPERS THE UTED STATES, WHADO YOU SEE, AIDS, MALARIA ANDUBERCULOSIS.

>> ITS A HUMAN ININCT TO FEAR DISEES WHICH CAUSE MORTALITY FASTER. IDEATH COMES BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE MALARIA FOR ONWEEK, PEOPLE WILLE AFRAID. THEN VING ONCHOCERCAISIS WHICH WILL MAYBE MANIST AFTER MANY EARS AND IT CAUSE MORBIDITY SLOWLY, DISABILITSLOWLY. SO PEOPLE ARE FOSING ON DISEAS WHICH KILLS VERY FAST AND FORGET THERE ARE DISEAS WHICH KILL SLOWL

>> Suaz: WITH SO MUCH MONEY FLOWING INTO CARE FOR HIAIDS, MAARIA, AND TB, SOME SAY COUNITY DRUG DISTRIBUTORS COULD DO EVEN MORE. LIKE GIVE T ANTI-MALARIA BEDS NETS, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> GIVE HIM MARIA TREATED NETS HE WILL AT THE SE TIME DISTRIBUTEECAUSE THE COMMUNITY SELECTED HIM TO BE THEIR DISTRIBUTOR. THE COMMUNITYMPOWERED HIM TO ME TO THEIR HOUSE, GO HOUSE HOUSE AND DISTRITE DRUGS TO HEM SO AT THE SAME TIME ITS COST EFFECTIVE IF HE COULDET ALL THOSE COMMITIES WITH HIM.

>> Suarez: DTRIBUTORS ARE NOT PAID, BUT THE WORK BRINGS STATUS. THE LLAGE HOLDS A BIG CELEBRATION TO HONOR THEM.

>> THE CONTROL PROGRAM THE VER BLINDNESS CTROL PROGRAM WE ON'T PAY OUR DISTRIBUTORS. THE COMMUNITY PEOPLEAY THEM OR TAKEARE OF THEM. OTHEPROGRAMS DO, THEY PAY HUGE SUMS AND THESE ARE N SUSTAINABLE. THEY ARE NOT SUSTAINABE. THE DOLLARWILL FIZZLE OUT MEDAY, THEY WILL DRY OUT BU THE PEOPLE WILL REMAINSO YOU NEED TO EMWER THE PEOPLE TO REALE THAT THIS IS THEIR PROBLEM

>> Suarez: ON THIS DAY, VILLAGERS WHO HAVE DISTRITED DRUGS FOR FI YEARS WERE GIVEN NEW BICYCLES. >>I ENJOY VOLUNTEERING TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OFY VILLAGE BY HANG THIS BICYCLE IT WILL HELP ME WITH THIS MISON. >Suarez: THE BICYCLES AND CELEBRATIONS ARE JUST SMALL PIECE OF T COMMUNITY PRIDE ARED IN THIS AFRICAN VILLAGE

>> Ifill: TOMORROW, RAY LAST REPORT WI EXAMINE THE CAMPAIGN TO RID TANZANIA OMALARIA. ON OUR WEBSITE WSHOUR.PBS.ORG FI OUT MORE ABOUT RIVER BLINDNESS AND VIEW A SLE SHOW FROM RAY'SREPORTING TRIP.

>> Ifill: FINALLTONIGHT, A GLOBALIEW OF THE FINANCIAL MELTDOWN ONE YEAR LATER. ECONOMICS CORRESPDENT PAUL SOLMASAT DOWN THIS WEEK WITH DOMINIE STRAUSS-KAHN, THE MANAGING DIRTOR OF THE INTERNIONAL MONETARY FUND. HIS INTERVIEW ISART OF OUR SERIESN MAKING SENSE OF FINANCIAL NEWS.

>> Rerter: DOMINIQUE STRAUSS- KAHN, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU. > Reporter: THE LAST TIME U WERE ON THIPROGRAM WAS IN OCBER. YOU WERE VERYVERY WORRIED ABOUTHE WORLD ECONOMY. SOHOW IS IT DOING NOW? >BETTER. I WO SAY THE CRISIS IS OVER AND THE SO-CALLED GREEN SHOTS AND THE RHER GOOD RESULTS WE'VE HAD IN SOME COUNIES INCLUDING EUROPEAN UNTRIES LIKE GEANY OR FRANCE ARE WELCOME.

>> Reporter: GREEN OOTS MEANING SIGNOF GROWTH.

>> EXACTLY, THAT THEEGINNING OF RECOVERY, WE CAN SEE AND WEAN SEE THE END OF THE TUNNEL. BUT ITS CERTAINLY TOO EARLY DECLARE VICTORY D TO SAY THAT T CRISIS IS BEHIND US. THERE ARE STILL IN FRONT US SOME BAD MONTHS IN TERMOF GROWTH AND, MOREOVE IN TERMS OF UNPLOYMENT, THINGS ARE GOING TO BE BAD FOR MONTH SO, FOTHE GUY IN THE STREET WHO ISOING TO LOSE HIS JOB IN NOVEER OR DECEMBER, THE CRISIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT BEHINHIM; ITS IN FRONTF HIM.

>> Reporter:OU SAID IN OCTOBER THAT YOUROLE WAS TO PROVIDE ADVICE, TO PROVIDE FINANCING HELP REBUILD THE FINANCIAL REGULATORY SYSTEM. THEN, IN APRIL, U GOT HALF-A- TRILLION DOLLARS-- N-- WHICH YOU COULISSUE AS LIKE GLOBAL CURRENCY, SPECIAL DRAWING RIHTS, TO THE DEBTORS OF THE WORLD. HA YOU LOANED ALL THAT MONEY OUT? HAVEOU LOANED IT WISELY? AND WHO HAVE YOU LOANED ITO?

>> TO WHOMMANY COUNTRIES. E NEVER HAD SO MANY PROGRAMSS WEHAVE TODAY. SWERE DEALING WITH TENS OF COUNTRIES, SOME FORMALL AMOUNTS, SOMFOR HUGE AMOUNTS, COUNTRIES HAVING PROBLEMS DUTO THE CRIS, AND WE TRY TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE CRISIS.

>> Reporte SO EASTERN EUROPE, A LOT OF THE MONEY.

>> OF COURSE, EASTERN EUPE.

>> Reporter:AKISTAN.

>> PAKISTAN, YOU'RE RIGH AFRICAN COUNTRS. THERE ARE A LARGE NBER OF COUNTRIES TH A SMALLER AMOUNT BECAUSE THEIR ECONOMIES ARNOT THAT BIG. HERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, ALSO LATIN ARICAN COUNTRIES, AND ALSO PRODING INRANCE TO COUNTRIES LIKE MEXICO, LIKE COLOMBIA, SO IN CENTRAL EUROPE, AS YOU SA LIKE POLAND. SO ALL ACROSTHE WORLD WE HAVE THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS. AND WE HAVE SPE -THE FIGURE MAY TEREST YOU. YOU REMEMBETHE ASIAN CRISIS ICH WAS THE BIGGEST CRISIS T IMF EVER HAD TO DEALITH IN THE PAST.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THEATE 90S, AND SUDNLY ALL THESE COTRIES IN ASIA - CRASHING.

>> ABSOLUTELY. KOREA, TILAND, INDONESIA; AND THE WAS A LOT OF CONSEQUENCES. WE ARE NOW LENDG TWICE AS MUCH THE I.M.F. DID LEND AT THI TIME. O IT SHOWS THE DEPTH OF THE CRISIS.

>> Reporter: ARE YOU ILL IMPOSING THOSE CONOVERSIAL CONDITIONS THAT YOUSED TO IMPOSE THE PAST? I'M READING OUT ICELAND HERE AND THEY'RE COMPLAINING Y'RE DRIVING UP HEALTH-CARCOSTS, YOU'RE DVING UP THEIR INTEREST RATES, THIS IS AN ATTA ON THEIR SOVERGNTY.

>> YOU KNOW, WHY DO YOBELIEVE THAT A COUNTRY MES IN AND KNOCKS ON MY DOOR AND SS, WE NEED YOUR LP? CAUSE THEY ARE IN TROUBLE. IF THEY ARE NOT IN OUBLE, THEY ARE NOT COMING; THEY DON'T ED US. ND IF THEY ARE IN TROUBLE, MAY COME PARTLY FROMHE GLOBAL ECONOMYND ENVIRONMENT AND IT COMES VERY OFTEN, ALMOSTLWAYS, BECAUSE THEY HE THEIR OWN DOMESTIC PROBLEM, BECAUSE TH DIDN'T RUN THE RHT POLICY. SO, OFOURSE, WHEN WE ARE COMING, WE TELL THEM, WE ARE GOING TO HELP YO BUT THE ISO USE TO HELP YOU , AT THE SAME TIME, YOU DON' FIX WHAT IS GOING WRONG YOUR ECONOMY. IFYOU DON'T FIX YOUR ECONOMY, THE SAME CAUSES WILL GE THE SAMEONSEQUENCES AND YOU WILL STILL BE IN TROUBLE. COUNTRIES DON'T LIKTHAT. WHY? THEY SAITS A PROBLEM OF SOVEREIGNTY; EY SAY THAT-- BUT THEY HAVE TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: YOU WERE BECONG IRRELEVANT, MA PEOPLE SAY - N YOU PERSONALLY, BUT THE I.M.F. YOU'RE RELEVANT AGAI AREN'T YOU NO YOU'RE CENTRAL.

>> YEAH, IT WAS BIT UNFAIR YOU ARE RIGHT ISAYING THAT WAS MAIN COMMENT MADE ABOUT THE I.M.F. A YEAR, TWOEARS AGO. BUT WERE AS IRRELEVANT AS FIREFIGHTERS WHEN YOU HA NO FIRE. PELE MAY SAY, WHAT DO WE USE TO SPEND MONEY FOR FEFIGHTERS? THERE IS NO FIRE. AND THEN T FIRE COMES AND U'RE VERY HAPPY YOU HAVE TH FIREFIGHTERS. WOULD YOU SAY THAT FIREFIGHRS ARE IRRELEVANT WHEN YOU HAVE NO FIRE, DOCTS ARE IRRELEVA WHEN YOU ARE IN GOOD HEALTH? NO. YOU NEED TO HAVE THAT. OF COURSE YOU SETHE RELEVANCE ONY WHEN THE CRISIS COMES.

>> Reporter: DID THE ITED STATES GET INTO THTROUBLE IT GOT INTO BY NOT LIENING TO THE I.M.? I REMEMBER INHE LAST FEW YEARS, YOU WOULD ISSUREPORT AFTER REPORT ABOUT E RUCTURAL DEFICITS IN THE UNITED STATES; THE UNITESTATES WAS SPENNG TOO MUCH, AND SO FORTH.

>> WELL, I DOT WANT TO BE PRETENTIOU AND I THINK THAT WE REALLY ARE NOT AS GOOAS WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INREVENTING THE CRISIS AND CUSING THE CRISI HAVING SAID THAT, WERE OBABLY THE INSTITUTN WHICH WAS REALLY THE FIRST O PUTTING THE FINGERS ON WT'S NOT GOING WELL - SUBPRIME MARKET, FOR INSTAE. THEN, WHEN THE CRIS BEGAN, THE RST INSTITUTION SAYING THE CRISIS IS GOING TO BVERY DIFFICULT. THAT WHY WE GAVE THIADVICE, WHICH WAS A BIT O FOR AN INSTITUON LIKE THE I.M.F. THAT NEED A GLOBAL STIMULUS AND HAVE BEEN FOOWED BY ALL THE OUNTRIES AROUND E WORLD. AND THAT'S PROABLY WHY WE AVOIDED A CRISISS BIG AS THE GREADEPRESSION. SO WE ARE STILL IA CRISIS. OR A LOT OF PEOPLE, ITS A VE DIFFICULT SITUATN. BUT ITNOT AS DIFFICULT AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN. AND I REALLY BELIEVE THATHE ROLE OF THE I.F. IN THIS HAS BE GREAT.

>> Repoer: BUT YOU DIDN'T, FOR EXAMPLE, WARN ABOUT WH WAS GOING ON IN STERN EUROPE OR AT LEAST YOUR FORMECHIEF ECONOMIST YS THAT THESE CONTRIES WERE BUILDING UP THEI VULNERABILITIESND INDEBTEDNESS AREN'T YOU AT LEAST PARTLYOR PERHAPSVEN MOSTLY RESPONSIBLE FO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION IN EASTERN EURO?

>> THE PROBM FOR AN INSTITUTIOLIKE THE I.M.F. IS ALWAYS T FOLLOWING: WHEN WE SEE SOME RISKSESPECIALLY WHEN HOSE RISKS ARE SYSTEMIC RISK INCLUDING MANY UNTRIES, WE HAVTWO POSSIBLE ATTITUDES: O IS TO SAY IT PUBLICLY, A THEN WE HAVE, IN A SITUATIONHERE WE MAY TRIER THE CRISIS. OR WE CAN GO TO THE GERNMENT SECRET AND SAY, LOOK, WE HAVE THIS AND THIS AND IS AND THIS PROEM. AND WHEN WE DO THAT, WHH IS OUR ROLEND THE WAY WE WORK, THEN, 1 YEAR AFTER WHEN T CRISIS ITHERE, MANY PEOPLE SAY, WHOA, YOU DIDN'T SAY SOMETHING BEFORE. IN FT, WE DID. BUT TO TRY TBE EFFECTIVE, WE DN'T SAY IT IN THE OPEN AIR. LAST QUESTION: REGULATION THE OTHER THING U TALKED ABOUT ON THIS PROGRAM IN OCTOBER. THE G-20 IS COMING : IS THERE GOING BE RE-REGULATION OF THE WORLD FINANCIAL SYSTEM SO I HOPE TH THE G-20 IN PITTURGH WILL MAKE SOME TOH DECISIONS IN REGULANG SOMEWHAT WHAIS NEEDED IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR THE PROBLEM IS TH EVERYWHERE THERIS A BROAD CONSENSUS OF WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. BUT THE PROCESSS GOING VERY SLOWLY AND WE HAVE TOPEED UP THIS PRESS. ANDOT ONLY IN THE UNITED STATESUT IN MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, YOU HAD A PUBLI OPINION REACTIO TO BONUSES, FOR INSTAN, COPENSATION, SAYING HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT WE VE SO MUCH TAXPAR MONEY TO THOSE BANKS BECAUSE THEY WERE IN SU A SITUATION. A NOW, THEY ARE GIVING BONES, WHICH ARE INSANE.

>> Rorter: I GUARANTEE YOU ALMOST EVERYBODY INHE AUDIENCE LISNING TO THIS RIGHT NOW WOULD SAY, I STILL FEELHAT WAY. YEAH, EXACTLY, EXACTLY. SO I THINK IT WAS RHT TO GIVE THE MOY TO THOSE BANKS BECAUSE THE COLLAPSE OF BKS IS THE COLLAE OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. WE HAD TO FIIT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME,E HAVE TO FIND W RULES FOR COMPENSATION, NOT ONLY ON AN ETHICAPOINT OF EW, WHICH WILL BE ENOUGH, B ALSO BECAUSE WE HAVE TOVOID THAT INDIVIDUALS TES RISK FOR THEIR OWN INTERTS WHICH PUT ALL E SYSTEM AT RISK.

>> Ifl: OUR WEBSITE, WSHOUR.PBS.ORG HAS MUCH MO ABOUT THE FINANCL MELTDOWN. YOU CAN READ HOTHE CRISIS DID AND DID NOT CHANGE WALL STET. AND FIND OUABOUT THE CURRENT STATUS OF INSURANCE GIANTIG WHICH RECEIVEDORE THAN $100 BILION IN FEDERAL RESCUE MON.

>> Ifill: AGAIN, THE JOR DEVELOPMENTOF THE DAY: THE CHAIRMAN OF THEENATE FINCE COMMITTEE, DEMOCRAT MAX BAUCUS, UNVEILED HIS HETH CARE REFORM BL. IT QUICKLY FOUND CRITICSN BOTH SIDES OF T AISLE. AND TO ANNOUNCED 3 U.S. TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN DIED ESDAY IN A ROADSE BOMBING.

>> Ifill: WE'LL SEE Y ON-LINE, ANDGAIN HERE TOMORROW EVENING WITH AN INTERVIEWITH HOUSE MINOTY LEADER JOHN BOEHNER. I'M GWEN IFILL. THANK YOU, AND GOOD NIGH MAJOR FUNDING FOR THE NEWOUR WITHIM LEHRER IS PROVIDED BY:

>> WHAT THWORLD NEEDS NOW IS ENERGY. THE ENERGY TO GET THECONOMY HUMMING AGAI THE ERGY TO TACKLE CHALLENGES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE WHAT IS THAT ENGY CAME FROM AN NERGY COMPANY? ERYDAY, CHEVRON INVESTS $62 MILLION IN PEOPLE, IIDEAS-- SEEKINGTEACHING, BUILDING. FUELING GROWTH AROUND THEORLD TO MOVE US A AHEAD. THIS IS THE POWER OF HUM ENERGY. CHEVRON.

>> THISS THE ENGINE THAT CONNECTS ABUNDANT GRAIN FM THE AMERICAN ARTLAND TO HARAN'S BEST SELLING WHEAT, WHILE KEEPING 60 BILLION PNDS OF CARBON OUT OF THATMOSPHERE EVERY AR. BNSF, THE ENNE THAT CONNECTS . INTEL. SUPORTING MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR TOMORROW INNOVATORS. AND THE WILLIAM AND FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATIONWORKING TO SOLVEOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AT HOME AND OUND THE WORLD. AND TH THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF THESE INSTITUTIONS D FOUNDATIONS. AND... THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POIBLE BY THE CORPOTION FOR PUBLIC OADCASTING. AND BY CONTRITIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE Y. THANK YOU. Captioning sponsored b MacNEIL/LEHRERRODUCTIONS Captioned Media Access Grp at WGBH acceswgbh.org