Transcripts For KQED PBS NewsHour 20240620

People dont come to madison so their kids can fail in school. People dont come to madison so their kids can rot in a prison cell. Dreamers come to madison and when they feel excluded from the dream they become nightmares ifill plus, the story of Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter. Who fell on a grenade to save his fellow marines. An act of courage and selflessness that earned him the medal of honor. I feel like im on an even Playing Field and an even platform with everybody else, awards or not, with everybody else that raised their right hand and said, you know ill going into harms way. Ifill those are just some of the stories were covering on tonights pbs newshour. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by moving our economy for 160 years. Bnsf, the engine that connects us. Thats bae systems. Thats inspired work. Charles schwab, proud supporter of the pbs newshour. And the william and flora hewlett foundation, helping people build immeasurably better lives. And with the ongoing support of these institutions. And. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Woodruff House Republicans have a new Majority Leader Kevin Mccarthy of california. They reached that decision after meeting behind closed doors for several hours today to elect their new leadership. Mccarthy had been the chambers majority whip. Hell be replaced by Steve Scalise of louisiana. After the vote, mccarthy spoke to reporters. Americas struggling. Were struggling with the stagnant economy, a failed healthcare law and so many living paycheck to paycheck. Were looking for individuals that put people before politics. Ill make one promise. I will work every single day to make sure this conference has the courage to lead with the wisdom to listen. House republicans were forced to scramble to elect new leadership after eric cantor lost his virginia primary to a tea party challenger. Cantor will step down as House Majority leader july 31st. Ifill as many as 75 government scientists in atlanta may have been exposed to live anthrax bacteria. The centers for Disease Control and prevention issued that warning today. The agency said researchers at one of their highlevel bio security labs failed to properly inactivate the bacteria samples. Those who might have come in contact with it are now being offered treatment to stave off infection. Woodruff three midwestern states braced for flooding today after torrential rain and heavy thunderstorms all this week. The 400mile long Big Sioux River is pushing record levels, already flooding parts of iowa, nebraska and south dakota. Residents are filling sand bags and shoring up their homes against the encroaching water. The Big Sioux River is expected to crest tomorrow morning, a foot above the record that was set in 1969. Ifill in wisconsin, state prosecutors have accused republican Governor Scott walker of illegal fundraising. Newly unsealed Court Documents show prosecutors allege he was part of coordinated fundraising with conservative groups in a nationwide criminal scheme. No charges have been filed against walker or any member of his staff. The investigation began in 2012 when walker faced a recall election, but a federal judge put it on hold in may. Ifill prorussian separatists and Ukrainian Government forces were locked in intense fighting in Eastern Ukraine today. The rebels tried to organize their forces, but said they were outnumbered and outgunned. A top rebel commander begged russia for help. In london, nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said russia has resumed a military buildup along the border. We call on russia to stop the flow of weapons and equipment from russia to separatist groups in Eastern Ukraine, we call on russia to stop the support for prorussian armed gangs in Eastern Ukraine. Ifill but russian president ifill but russian president Vladimir Putin said today he has rejected the rebels pleas for help. Woodruff Israeli Soldiers clashed with palestinians in the west bank, as they searched for three missing israeli teenagers. The teens disappeared a week ago while hitchhiking home from the west bank. The israeli raid took place overnight in jenin. About 300 palestinians threw explosive devices and opened fire. 30 were arrested. Ifill spain swore in a new king today. Felipe the sixth succeeds his 76yearold father, juan carlos, who gave up the throne after nearly 40 years in power. Felipe was formally proclaimed the new monarch during a ceremony in parliament. Although he wields no executive power, the king promised a reinvigorated monarchy for new times. Woodruff stocks on wall street saw very Little Movement today. The Dow Jones Industrial average gained nearly 15 points to close at 16,921; the nasdaq fell three points to close at 4,359; the s p 500 added two points to close at 1,959. Still to come on the newshour. The president s decision to send military advisers to iraq. A trial that could lead to big changes for college athletics. From education to jobs, closing racial gaps in wisconsins capital. A fresh look at the fight over gay rights. And one marines story of courage and selflessness in his own words. Ifill president obama announced today that he will be sending up to 300 military advisors to protect u. S. Interests in iraq but pushed again for the countrys leaders to come up with their own political solution. We do not have the ability to simply solve this problem by sending in tens of thousands of troops and committing the kinds of blood and treasure that has already been expended in iraq. Ifill president obama announced he would instead dispatch secretary of state john kerry to the region this weekend. He also pledged to increase support for Iraqi Security forces through intelligence sharing and coordination. The u. S. He said would not rule out targeted strikes against insurgents if events on the ground demand it. But the president said repeatedly that it is the iraqis themselves who will ultimately be responsible for stabilizing what he described as a dire situation. Regardless of whats happened in the past, right now is a moment where the fate of iraq hangs in the balance. And the test for all of them is going to be whether they can overcome the mistrust, the deep sectarian divisions, in some cases just political opportunism, and say, this is bigger than anyone of us, and weve got to make sure that we do whats right for the iraqi people. And thats a challenge. Thats not something that the United States can do for them. Ifill mr. Obama also said he would be open to working with iran so long as they send the same unifying message to the shiarun government. If iran is coming in solely as an armed force on behalf of the shia and it if it is framed in that fashion, then that probably worsens the situation and the prospect for a government formation that would actually be constructive over the long term. Ifill left unaddressed the future of nouri al maliki, who is faulted in some quarters for fanning the sectarian divisions now roiling the country. Malikis Political Movement won the most seats in aprils election, and the president suggested today iraqis would have to sort out internal politics on their own. But the New York Times reported today that u. S. Officials have already signaled to opposition leaders in baghdad that maliki step down. Something many sunni leaders have already demanded. translated we think al maliki has completely lost his balance. We advise him to leave government, because i cant imagine that, with almaliki remaining, the iraqi crisis will be solved. Ifill maliki, a shiite, joined with other iraqi leaders calling for unity earlier this week. Meanwhile, battles raged on across the country, as government soldiers and helicopters faced off against sunni extremists at the sprawling beiji refinery north of baghdad. An iraqi witness told the Associated Press that black is il banners now hang on facility towers and militants man checkpoints. But officials insisted Government Forces maintain control of what is the countrys Largest Oil Refinery. The Iraqi Defense ministry also released video of targeted iraqi air strikes near the city of tal afar. A military spokesman claimed the bombings killed 50 militants. Elsewhere, iraqi Emergency Police patrolled streets and check points throughout the Northern City of kirkuk. Kurdish Peshmerga Forces had held the ethnically diverse and oilrich city since Iraqi Military forces retreated last week. translated Security Forces and Peshmerga Forces have control over kirkuk, and the situation is very good. Still, the exodus from isil controlled regions continues. A hundred miles southeast of kirkuk, families packed into pickup trucks and minibuses to flee towns now in the grip of the sunni militant forces. While on television, the governments Public Relations battle waged on. State run iraqia tv today broadcast patriotic footage and music, including messages that read all of us are ready to lay ourselves down for iraq. And, our safety is with your help. In baghdad, hundreds of shiite volunteers eager to join the fight flocked to recruitment centers. translated i have volunteered to join the iraqi translated i have volunteered to join the iraqi army to crush the heads of the isil fighters and those who allied with them. Ifill officials said in the past week alone, over two million iraqis have volunteered to take up arms against the insurgency. Raising fears that the violence gripping the country could deteriorate even further. So can iraqi Prime Minister maliki unite his country . Or will it take another leader . Feisal istrabadi was iraqs deputy ambassador to the United Nations from 2004 to 2007. Hes now a professor of International Law and diplomacy at indiana university. Abbas kadhim was born and raised in iraq and is now a senior Foreign Policy fellow at johns hopkin universitys school of advanced international studies. And Charles Duelfer served as a United Nations weapons inspector in iraq, leading the effort to find weapons of mass destruction after the 2003 u. S. Invasion. Welcome to you all. Feisal istrabadi, until a few years ago, iraqs politics seemed to be relatively stable. What has happened in what seems to be such a short time . I think over the last two years the Prime Minister has increasingly come to confront some of the other partners that he has in the coalition. He has begun in the last few months to confront the iraq militarily in a variety of ways, the sunni, and the kurdish region in iraq economically and i think this has caused many of his Coalition Partners to look upon him with some question harks. Ifill are the question marks from within or without . That is to say just Coalition Partners looking at him askance or also fellow iraqis . Well, i mean, theyre all fellow iraqis. Ifill right. But, clearly, all of these parties that are asking the questions are in government, or part of the government. So i think he has lost the ability to be an effective interlock tear with two of the major groups in the country, the sunni and kurds. Ifill i think it was talking about coalition outside of iraq. Is Nouri Almaliki to blame for the set of circumstances . He is part of the entire iraqi political system and worked with many others. Maliki isnt the only Decision Maker in iraq, its a coalition from all parts of the country, and the entire political ruling class has failed iraq, definitely, so blaming maliki alone would be unfair, i think. There are two things maybe i could say quickly about pleeky. One is he is the most popular politician as the last elections showed. He outperformed the tribal 3 to 1 in the number of seats taken and he himself got 721,000 votes alone in baghdad. The second which has to do with the debate which is going on in washington, d. C. Is this idea that maliki has to go. You know, this is the worst thing that can be done to a country that is democratizing, to have people in any other place to call on someone to resign or to pick kings or to overthrow kings. I think the president in his Statement Today got it right when he said we are not in the business of choosing or picking iraqi leaders. This is the way it should be done if maliki is overthrown from the pressure of outside forces, this will have grave consequences for the prospects of democracy in the country. Ifill Charles Duelfer, as you look at this shakedown, this shake out, do you think that almaliki has done enough to avoid this impasse . The short answer is no, but the problem really was born in the immediate aftermath of the invasion in 2003. I think everyone acknowledges now mistakes in terms of not being inclusive enough of the sunni groups, some of them former baathists and former army, and throughout the succeeding ten years, they have been look for some signal they will have a new iraq. For a while, they seemed to have been drug into the awakening period general petraeus was taking credit for, but maliki has gotten less instead of more inclusive. Yes, as obama said, we must be driven by the elections, but when the end results are to be exclude a very important population and that uponlation by doing nothing can encourage the evil, then we have a problem that must be addressed. They need a strong message and i dont think theyre getting it. Reporter is it about excluding sunnis in general or form baathests in general . I think theres a question and obviously gradations, but what they need to hear now is they need to hear a good, positive alternative to either doing nothing or actively supporting i. S. I. L. I dont think that message came across in the president s words tonight. He was too nuanced. He needs to be very, very clear. If secretary kerry goes to the region, as has been predicted, he may see maliki. If he sees maliki but doesnt see sunnis or some representatives of sunnis, theyre going to get exactly the wrong message. This is a critical time. Theyve got to act quickly. Ifill feisal istrabadi, how important is it for the u. S. To be more pointed in its statements about what it is and is not willing to do . I think it has to be very careful. Im sorry if i misunderstood your question earlier, but it has to be careful in how it deals publicly. Diplomacy ought to occur behind the screenings and not in front of the cameras. The ambassador of the United States cannot be seen forcing the hands of players in baghdad but it can make its own interests clear in baghdad blind the scenes and i think its clear the current leadership of iraq simple does not have a vision. I agree all Political Parties and politicians in iraq have a share in the blame in where and how we got here but thats not what were discussing, the question is how do we get out of the hole were in, and i think one of the first things we need to do is stop digging and find a new leadership. Ifill let me ask you about that. Vice President Biden has been involved in talking to the current leadership and being that broker and now john kerry is on the way to the region. Was there a breakdown in the relationship that allowed us to get to the place where there seems to be such distrust . Well, i think the United States, once it withdrew, took the position that the iraqis are now charge, and i think that that may have been appropriate. I think its appropriate now for the secretary of state to engage in iraq. Im very pleased to hear hes going to iraq. I agree with mr. Duelfer he needs to meet with all parties to get a sense of where they all stand. I will say if malikis list got onethird of the seats, that means twothirds of iraqis didnt vote for his list and i think that, too, ought to be something taken into account, in any parliamentary system a list that gets onethird which is unwilling to meet basic demands of other parties might well find itself in opposition. Ifill maliki or no maliki, what are the chance of a unit government that has been talked about at least . Well, it is a matter for others to work together, to work for maliki. If they are driving a hard bargain, that maliki has to be completely out of the picture, i dont see any possibility for ignoring the top and especially with the margin that twothirds of iraqis didnt vote for the state of the law, but also they did not vote for one entity that had the twothirds. Their vote was captured and, you know, if it is impossible for someone who got 95 seats to form a government, it would be even harder, more impossible for someone who got 30 seats. So perspective and numbers is important. Ifill youre saying there is not necessarily a clear alternative . Yes, the leaders who are going to take over for maliki, we dont see them in the crisis and the iraqis are highly disappointed by their performance, and that is the big problem, there is no clear alternative to maliki right now and, if anything, this crisis has driven his popularity even higher among the iraqi people. You, he is unpopular in washington, maybe unpopular in certain sunni areas, and now that hes armed with a fatwa, a religious edict from the top, i dont see any way of taking him out. So anyone who wants to form a unity government, he has to put a special place for maliki. Ifill final chott, Charles Duelfer final thought, Charles Duelfer, whats the best possible outcome . An agreement where theres parties in iraq who say were going to divide power with serious ministries going to sunni groups, with perhaps a reconsideration of the hydrocarbon law where oil can be divided and i dont see how that happens if maliki clings to power. Were asking maliki, at a time in crisis, to be inclusive and thats the opposite of what you would normally do. Charles duelfer, abbas kadhim, policfleece fleece, thankfeisal. Thank you all. Woodruff the National Collegiate Athletic Association has long defended the idea of the amateur studentathlete, but that concept is facing its toughest trial yet. In fact, its literally a class action trial underway in a Federal District court in oakland, california. The lawsuit contends the n. C. A. A. Should permit former and Current College basketball and Football Players to profit from the use of their names, likeness and images in television broadcasts, video games and other media. The cases origins go back to a lawsuit first brought by former u. C. L. A. Basketball player ed obannon after he saw his likeness in a video game. Its evolved into a much bigger suit against the n. C. A. A. , with potentially bigger implications. Today, n. C. A. A. President , mark emmert, took the stand. Were joined by michael mccann, he is director of the sports and Entertainment Law Institute at the university of new hampshire. Ifill michael mccann, welcome back to the newshour. Tell us, at its core, what is this case about . At its core, the ed obannon case is about whether or not division 1 basketball players, students at the highest level, should be able to negotiate for their nairnlings image and likeness, when theyre on television, when theyre in archival video, when theyre on web video, when theyre in video games, when theyre somehow related to apparel or trading cards, anything using their name, image and likeness, theyre arguing they should be able to negotiate money for that, some type of compensation. Under ncaa rules, they are barred from doing so. The ncaa has a system called amateurism which focuses on a sphark distinction between professional and amateur sports. Obannon argues that distinction is flawed and its in violation of antitrust law and the basic antitrust theory is that the ncaa and members have purportedly joined hans so the ncaa conferences, individual colleges to prevent them from negotiating and thats an anticompetitive market and they should be able to negotiate and they hope that judge wilkin will issue an injunction allowing them to do so. Ifill so theyre arguing the antitrust position is their way in in this argument . Thats right, their way in is the antitrust argument. The idea theres a cartel, a conspiracy. Others making money off their name, image and likeness and denying them the opportunity to even negotiate. The athletes have said, look, were not asking for millions, we just want to have an opportunity to negotiate. Now, the ncaa, in fairness to the ncaa, has a number of arguments, including the fact that they have had this institution for years and they believe College Sports would be harmed if student athletes were quasi professional, as they describe them. Woodruff how do they argue they would be harmed . The ncaa believe some schools would cut their Sports Programs, if student athletes, specifically mens basketball and Football Players, are able to negotiate for their name, emand likeness, some of that money would have gone to their colleges will now go to them, so that could require schools to lose some money and it could be more expensive to have sports, so the fear is that, if this h system comes about, some schools will cut their Sports Programs or more likely cut some aspects of their Sports Programs, and theres another area of law we know is called title 9 that would prevent schools from cutting womens teams so the womens teams would remain but the mens teams that are golf, tennis, maybe baseball, lacrosse, other sports not typically generating revenue would be axed from the program and the ncaa believes that once you allow student athletes to be essentially professionals, the obannon team wouldnt say that was untrue, but lets go with that, but fans would become less interested in College Sports, less money would go into it and as a result schools would be more inclined to downsize the Sports Program so thats the central thesis. Woodruff how does obannon and himself and the people bringing this suit who represent his point of view, how do they counter that argument . Well, part of the argument, judy, is they argue thats not true, that College Sports fans would still like sports in college even if student athletes were able to negotiate for their name, image and likeness and they would likely do so not individually but through a trade association. So the idea there would be sports agents on campus negotiating contracts, that could be true for some of the elite College Athletes, but its unlikely to be true, at least obannon argues, for the mainstream basketball and Football Player. So they believe that the parade of tecials that mighto teshles that might occur really isnt true and have argued regardless of whether its true or not that doesnt mean antitrust law is violated by the system, that a system where theyre allowed to negotiate because of a conspiracy or cartel. Thats illegal, regardless of the effect it would have on College Sports. Woodruff finally, whatever the judge rules, this is an argument that goes on, and there are other efforts to change the relationship between College Athletes and the sports they play, are there not . Yeah, thats exactly right, judy. So, as a starting point, lets say obannon wins, there will be an appeal. An appeal would likely take years, would have to go to the u. S. Court of appeals 9t 9th circuit and potentially the United States Supreme Court, so there wont be resolution for some time. But there are other litigations going on. Theres an argument by cain coulter, a Football Player at Northwest University who believes college Football Players with employees and should be able to unionize, thats before the National Labor relationNational Laborrelations. The ncaa is attacked with a number of cases and would have to run the table to keep it the way it is and that seems unlikely to happen. Woodruff we will continue to watch this trial underway in california. For today, michael mccann, we thank you. Thank you, judy. Ifill the college town of madison, wisconsin is not the sort of place that leaps to mind when it comes to the discussion of Racial Disparities. But the gap between black and white residents in madisons dane county, are, according to recent reports, more extreme than most other jurisdictions in the nation. Now, theres a new effort to find ways to bridge that gap. Hari sreenivasan reports. Doggone it, this is our community, and were not going to let it go to hell in a hand basket, so thank you for coming. Reporter at the fountain of Life Covenant Church in madison wisconsin, the reverend alex gee recently addressed hundreds of residents about a campaign he calls, justified anger. Dont let my anger, or our anger frustrate you or cause you fear, or consternation. Reporter the reverend is angry about statistics that show significant gaps between wisconsins white and black populations. We are living in a world of turmoil, its tough, Racial Disparity is awful. We are ground zero for so many issues, particularly those concerning African American men. 650 people poured in. They filled the place, there was standing room only, we had 150 in the foyer. Reporter in a report that detailed nationwide Racial Disparities, the annie e. Casey foundation found wisconsin had the worst rankings for African American children in the country. The report, which looked at key indicators like education, family income, health, and home stability. People dont come to madison so their kids can fail in school. People dont come to madison so their kids can rot in a prison cell. Dreamers come to madison and when they feel excluded from the dream they become nightmares reporter gee says the National Spotlight on wisconsins racial disconnect hit a nerve. I did this same thing thirty years ago, this same issue and im sick and tired of this. It reflects on our community in a very deep way. What are our values, do we believe that this is the way there should be almost these two cities coexisting, or two counties coexisting in terms of the experience that people have here in madison and dane county. Reporter the reasons that cause these differences between white and black children start young, even before school. Do you want to read that with momma . Reporter to get kids caught up before entering school, dane county officials began sending social workers to work with parents from underserved communities. Katie snow is the program supervisor. The brain is developing very rapidly in the first three years of life, and particularly that first year. Reporter joe parisi, executive for dane county, says the program is specifically designed to close the educational gap. We engage the parents and the kids in opportunities to learn how to interact with each other in the most productive way, and aimed at helping those kids achieve the educational and developmental milestones necessary to enter four year old kindergarten at the same level as the majority of the kids coming in. Reporter dione blouin says working with snow has helped her improve her daughters language and comprehension. I like being a young mom, you just feel like youre going wrong with a lot of things, and you need that support to let you know youre doing good. Reporter by the time babies like diones are in middle school, the gaps are significant. In wisconsin middle schools, white children are six times more likely to be proficient in 8th grade math than black students. Reading proficiencies for African American students are four times worse. Principal Tremayne Clardy from Sennett Middle School welcomes attention to the problem. There are definitely disparities we have to address and are addressing. Reporter clardy, who wrote his doctoral dissertation on Racial Disparities, says educators need to make learning more personal and purposeful. When a student identifies a purpose for being in the classroom, and you enhance that with culturally relevant curriculum, then thats when the light comes on, and thats when education truly happens. Reporter he links much of the racial divide to poverty, education, and employment opportunities. The gap is pretty striking. For africanamericans its 25 unemployment here in dane county, for whites its 4. 8 unemployment, so thats pretty stark. Reporter those unemployment numbers are particularly troubling at a time when madisons Construction Industry is experiencing a labor shortage. So the urban league partnered with dane county officials to train minorities for trade industry jobs. They helped walter konya, who had trouble finding work after high school. I believe that the odds are stacked against you as a minority, you know, but programs like this do help even the odds in a great way. Reporter what madison is facing is not unlike Racial Disparities seen across the country. The annie e. Casey report called the imbalance between African American and white children achievement a national crisis. Community leaders see it as a call to action. If we dont capture it now, if we dont address it now, then im really concerned about what madison will become in the next decade. Reporter so what is the solution for madison . I think whats going to be different is the indigenous voice. Were rarely at the table, rarely asked what we think, and that doesnt dignify us. So were the topic of every discussion, were the subject of every report, and we dont get to interject, we dont get to submit, we dont get to say anything. Reporter nobel wray says that may be changing. There seems to be a movement. Theres community leaders, there are nonprofits involved, there are grassroots people that are talking about this. All of the other initiatives were really led by government, and that has been one of the problems, because we can never sustain the effort. Politically, when we get turnover, its not thought about anymore. We have the wear with all and the goods, the question is do we have the will to change this on our watch . Reporter both reverend gee and noble wray are optimistic that addressing the thorny issue of Racial Disparity here in wisconsin could become a template for other communities around the country woodruff a coalition of groups opposing samesex marriage rallied in washington today outside the u. S. Capitol, marching to the Supreme Court in support of marriage between one man and one woman. This comes just days after the Obama Administration announced its intent to ban federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of Sexual Orientation or gender identity. And as polls show the tide of Public Opinion changing rapidly. To discuss how the fight over gay rights is playing out both in washington and across the country. We are joined by edwardisaac dovere, senior White House Reporter for politico. And david crary, who covers National Social issues for the Associated Press. S welcome to you both. Good to be here. Woodruff so let me start with you, edwardisaac dovere. This order of the white house affecting federal contractors, what is it and whos affected by it . The white house announced the president will sign this executive order. They havent announced whats in it exactly yet, but it will ban discrimination against lgbt people working forovernment contractors. There are questions about some of the minutia that will be in it especially what kind of religious exemption might be in there but it seems like it is Going Forward and the president will sign it soon. Woodruff david crary, whats your understanding of why the administration is doing this now . Well, when president obama took office, the Gay Rights Movement had a pretty long wish list of things they hoped this liberal president would do and hes checked off all the other items on this list of gays in the military serving openly, several other things and support for gay marriage. This is the last big item on the list and i think theres a sense of relief and delight by gay activists and probably a sense of relief at the white house that they finally finished this list and can sort of now celebrate together. Woodruff is that how you see it, edwardisaac dovere . This was a promise the president made in 2008. He didnt do anything on it in the first term, was doing other things gay advocates were happy about. In spring 2012 when preparing for reelection, his advisors told guy activists that they shouldnt expect it to happen till after the election. This was the last big thing. Some gay activists put it to me as the third leg of the stool with repealing dont ask dont tell and coming out in favor of gay marriage. There are a lot of other things the administration has to be touting when it comes to gay rights but those are the three big items. Woodruff whats happened in terms of Public Attitudes about samesex marriage, and we have graphics to show the viewers, is remarkable just in the last five years. Youve seen a complete shift in the percentage of americans who oppose samesex marriage and those who support it. Thats right, and its across a lot of different demographic sectors which is interesting. Young people are tilting hugely. A lot of republicans are showing a shift there, older people. So its not just liberals and democrats, its across the board shift, and the contrast on the abortion issue, for example, another hotbutton issue, those havent budged in 20 years, if you look at the gallu gallup poe same 50 50 split on abortion but gay rights, the change is very dramatic. Even the hardcore opponents of samesex marriage see this is going on. They dont really deny that trend. Woodruff and david crary, what makes it fascinating is we are seeing playing out across the country, as we mentioned, in state after state, there are so many states that have banned samesex marriage but courts the courts are putting a stop to it. Lets look at now, this was a graphic showing the states in orange, samesex marriage not allowed in green states, it is allowed. But, david crary, the courts have stepped in to intervene. Theyve done more than that, a dozen cases since last december all striking down bans or part of the state bans in their society. Its been a winning streak on one side, losing on the other with no exceptions. Its pretty striking. The next step will be to go to the level of u. S. Circuit courts. They will be hearing appeals of some of these decisions. Those will come down probably this summer, maybe in denver. They will rule on the status of utahs and oklahomas gay marriage bans. There will be a hearing in cincinnati of four different state cases, one single hearing, so its going to be an interesting summer as all these litigated case move one step higher up on the federal court system. And edwardisaac dovere, for the Obama Administration, they really cant be involved in those cases but theyre obviously watching with interest. And with support. At this point in the last week, the last state that didnt have a Court Challenge to a gay marriage ban now has one, this is north dakota. This is something the administration is in favor of and they have been doing what they can to interpret the legal rulings that have come down in favor of gay marriage as broadly as possible, specifically the windsor decision that struck down the defensive marriage act last spring, theyve tried in every way that they can to figure out how to apply as many rights to gay couple i couples r federal marriage statutes as possible. Woodruff what are the politics of this . We are in a Congressional Election year. The administration would like to energize the democratic base, the liberal base. How much does this, whats happening, what we have been talking about, play into that . This is definitely part of it. When the president talks about what democrats need to do at the midterm, every fundraiser says democrats have a tendency to fall asleep or not Pay Attention in midterm. He wants to make sure as few people as possible specifically the base buy into the narratives that the president is done with any big things. This is about making people believe the president is still doing great things and making the Gay Community believe that and in a broader way weve seen polls as gay rights as the president s way of connecting with the values. Woodruff and in the lgbt community, how do they read what the administration is doing . I think theyre very pleased what the administration is going. I also think theyre very pleased at what they see happening in the Republican Party in terms of the republican officer holders beginning to shy away from this battle. You see republican governors in gay marriage states kind of accepting the feta compli. Chris christie, the governor in pennsylvania that decided not to appeal when they struck down gay marriage. In washington there was one republican member of congress who appeared four or five, ten years ago who would have been more. So i think lgbt activists are cautiously pleased d. P. S. See this as a winning issue and republicans no longer seem to want to go to the mat to fight about it. Woodruff interesting changes. David crary, edwardisaac dovere, we thank you both. Thank you. Ifill and finally tonight, an extraordinary honor for an extraordinary deed. Jeffrey brown has our story. Reporter by november, 2010, u. S. Marines were nine months into the first big push of president obamas afghan surge to retake marjah, a taliban held district of southern helmand province. Lance Corporal Kyle carpenter was 21, part of f company, 2nd battalion, 9th marines. We were tasked with pushing south into an enemy stronghold territory and it was pretty simple. I mean, we were just tasked with taking over a new compound. Reporter but things didnt quite go that easily, right . The enemy was getting closer and closer . They were. We knew it was gonna be bad. We knew we were probably gonna take casualties. We didnt know how bad but when we got down there, very shortly after moving in, got our first grenade attack, it became even more real than what we had anticipated. Reporter more real. Tell me, what does that mean . Well, i mean, up until that point, for months and months, our worries were i. E. D. S, stepping on i. E. D. S, and pretty much from sun up to sundown, on most days, we were in firefights. Usually it was very uncommon to see hand grenades because those are very, um, more of a handto hand, you know, very short range type weapon. So for them to get that close reporter that that tells you how close they were. The marines knew it was a question of when, not if, grenades would be thrown on their position. On november 21st it happened. Carpenter was stationed on a rooftop with a fellow marine when the grenade landed. He dove on it to save the life of Lance Corporal Nick Eufrazio. How much do you remember about what happened on that day that you were wounded . Well its kind of opposite what most people think. I dont really remember anything of the entire day, and especially the moments leading up to being injured by the grenade. All i remember is a few brief seconds before i went unconscious after i was injured. Reporter carpenter had absorbed much of the blast his arms were mangled, his jaw and mouth nearly destroyed, his skull was fractured, he lost his right eye, and had a collapsed lung. He was losing massive amounts of blood i couldnt really hear anything and my vision was as if you were looking at a tv and it didnt have cable hooked up to it and it was just that white, grey static look. The next thing i remembered is what felt like what was warm water pouring all over me from the blood that had started to come out. Reporter that was your blood . Yes, sir. And then after that, i thought about my family and thought about how devastated and upset they were going to be that i was killed in afghanistan. Reporter you were realizing at that moment that you might well die . Very much. Reporter carpenter flatlined in the medevac chopper. When he arrived at the Field Hospital he was labeled pea, patient expired on arrival, so grievous were his wounds. What lay ahead was another Grueling Campaign for carpenter twoandahalf years in hospitals and rehabilitation, dozens of surgeries, painful reconstructions and skin grafts. He says it got him down. But those were just a few times. Going into the preop. So many times. Getting stuck here and getting stuck there and knowing youre gonna be all cut up and bandaged up and hurting when you get out. Reporter you had to learn to do a lot of things again, right . Normal everyday things from walking to brushing your teeth. Well starting out, my mom brushed my teeth for a long time. And then kind of when i got to be able to do it i would and then months and months down the road i finally learned how to put my socks on so i started doing that. So its still definitely a learning process, i mean just this past week, you know, doing things you learn how to make it happen. Reporter really even, even up to today . What about the physical scars . Was that hard to get used to . The changes in the way you looked or maybe even the way that people looked at you . No. One, because my time at walter reed really helped me being with all the other injured military Service Members that i was. And its never really been hard. I look at it more as, if i have to have these scars, i got them in defense of our nation and raising my right hand and volunteering to go in harms way for people back here at home just like everybody else in the military does. So i would say im more proud of them. Reporter really . His extraordinary courage and sacrifice had not gone unnoticed, carpenters name was put forward by his commanders for the medal of honor and this past february, he received a phone call from the president. Based on the recommendation of the secretary of defense and the secretary of the navy, ive approved the award of the medal of honor to you. Reporter when you first learned youd be receiving it, you struggled a bit with it. Why . You know, im supposed to wear this medal when everyday i would go down to the cafeteria in the building i lived at, at walter reed, and me and all my marine buddies would be there and you look around and you see one or two quadruple amputees. Guys that have no limbs, and im sitting here getting ready to be honored in front of the entire nation. But. Reporter that can be hard. I did struggle at first, but now i have the mindset of i can wear it for them, and i can try to do good things for them and really i guess my honor is their honor. Reporter and earlier this afternoon at the white house, carpenter became the third marine and 15th overall recipient since 9 11 of the nations highest military honor for conspicuous gallantry. The man you see before you today, Corporal William Kyle Carpenter. Should not be alive today. You notice that kyle doesnt hide his scars, hes proud of them and the service that they represent. Now he tells me this and you know so im just quoting him, but he says the girls definitely like them. laughter so hes kind of, hes working an angle on this thing. laughter i wasnt sure whether i was supposed to say that in front of mom. laughter but theres a quote there. Anybody who has a had a chance to get to know this young man knows you are not going to get a better example of what you want in an american or a marine. Keep in mind at the time kyle was just 21yearsold. But in that instant he fulfilled those words of scripture. Greater love hath no man than this. A man lay down his life for his friends. applause reporter a number of carpenters family members, friends, and comrades looked on. One not there was the man he saved, Nick Eufrazio suffered brain damage in the grenade attack and remains disabled. These days, 24yearold Kyle Carpenter speaks to Young Audiences about his experiences and hes in school himself, a psychology major at the university of south carolina. This all happened to you when you were so young. Youre still so young. Does it make you feel like, i dont know, like you have a second lease on life or a mission for the rest of your life . It has made me really want to experience and i guess feel life every single day. Reporter feel life . Mmhmm. I mean, just things like driving around with the windows down in my car, or the doors off, which drives my mom crazy, but. Reporter youre still her young son, right . Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Just simple things like that. If its something new or something that, you know, is going to get me excited or get the adrenaline going or whatever it is to make me really feel like i am really making this Second Chance that i have been blessed with worth it, i absolutely do that and i try to do everything i can. Reporter i understand youre even skydiving now. I have once, uh im still letting mom recover from the first time before the second one. laughs reporter youre being honored as a hero. Do you feel like a hero . No sir. I feel like im on an even Playing Field and an even platform with everybody else. Awards or not, with everybody else that raised their right hand and said you know ill going into harms way. Reporter well Corporal Kyle carpenter, thanks so much for talking to us, and behalf of all of us at the newshour we wish you the very best. Thank you very much, i appreciate that. Ts why they call it conspicuous gallantry. We have an extended interview with corporal carpenter, you can watch that on our rundown. Ifill again, the major developments of the day. President obama announced the u. S. Is sending up to 300 military advisers to iraq but no combat troops. On the ground in iraq, Government Troops battled insurgents for control of the countrys Largest Oil Refinery for a third day. And, republicans in the u. S. House of representatives elected a new majority leader, Kevin Mccarthy of california. Woodruff on the newshour online right now, doomsayers have long said the end of American Energy production is near. But theres no reason to get down, says author robert bryce, who zeroes in on how innovation in oil and Gas Production is giving the u. S. A competitive advantage. You can read his column, on making sense. All that and more is on our web site, newshour. Pbs. Org. Ifill and thats the newshour for tonight. On friday, we examine the surge in the number of unaccompanied children from central america, entering the United States illegally. Im gwen ifill. Woodruff and im judy woodruff. Well see you online and again here tomorrow evening with mark shields and david brooks among others. For all of us here at the pbs newshour, thank you and good night. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by ive been around long enough to recognize the people who are out there owning it. The ones getting involved, staying engaged. They are not afraid to question the path theyre on. Because the one question they never want to ask is, how did i end up here . I started schwab with those people. People who want to take ownership of their investments, like they do in every other aspect of their lives. When i was pregnant, i got more advice than i knew what to do with. What i needed was information i could trust, on how to take care of me and my baby. United healthcare has a Simple Program that helps moms stay on track with their doctors and get care and guidance they can use before and after the baby is born. Simple is what i need right now. Thats health in numbers, united healthcare. Bae systems, inspired work. And by the alfred p. Sloan foundation. Supporting science, technology, and improved Economic Performance and Financial Literacy in the 21st century. And with the ongoing support of these institutions. And. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Captioning sponsored by Macneil Lehrer productions captioned by Media Access Group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Org flex this is this is bbc world news america. Funding of this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation, newmans own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, kovler foundation, and union bank. At the union bank, our relationship managers work hard , offeringur business Specialized Solutions and capital to hel