Second the committee is discussing conducting this hearing in compliance with house regulations. It is being broadcast live on the committees website. Because of the threat posed by the pandemic remains ongoing, we are meeting remotely to ensure the safety of our witnesses, members, staff and public. While we wish we could return to all standard in person events, health and safety protocols dictate we find alternate means of carrying out obligations. Ok so, let me remind members of a few remote hearing procedures. First consistent with the regulations the committee will keep microphones muted to limit background noise. Members are responsible for on using themselves when they seek recognition or been recognized for their 5 minutes. Because there are sometimes delays, i would ask members and tonesses to allow some time ensure the last speaker has finished. Members and witnesses must have their cameras on at all times. If you need to step away, leave your camera on. If you encounter tech
I think the perceptionce that many people in the United States and also around the worldhi that this is an extraordinary unusual time in a sense where we are out of time will be a curiosity in the future. People will look back and wonder about that wonderment. And he gets kind of an interesting phenomenon. When you think about today do you compare it to any other time in history . As a historian. Im interested in that. We have a cognitive tendency. In the same way im the kind of person that seems like this and family members. Our need for familiarity. For most of my career as a historian. What time is this like. It is an easy story to write. I think theres a whole crop of president ial biographers who go out on talk shows. I generally find them to be not i in this era. Its actually a way to kind of contain the chaos. It is a way to avoid what is truly strange about this. What do we mean when we talk about American History. How are we to reckon with the fact that our present day is so p
So little perspective on this moment, its quite impossible to say. I think the perception that many people in the United States and of course also around the world have that this is an extraordinary unusual time something we are the time out of time, will be curiosity in the future people will look back and wonder about that very wonderment i think its an interesting phenomenon. When you think about today do you compare it to any period in history . Jill lepore as a historian im interested in analogies we have a cognitive tendency to enjoy analogies to find d one thing to be like another all the time. Just in the same way and the kind of person that sees likenesses and family members, and look at a new baby and say, that looks just like great grandma someone so. Have the same time, even as they say i recognize a lot of that is minded perception, my need for familiarity. I think there has been for most of my career as a historian the question to ask historians is what time is this like.
Im going to have our 1st welcome to this special edition of the news as we cover the festivities commemorating 30 years of german reunification on this Germanys National holiday it was on this day 30 years ago that east and west germany reunited to become one country again for the 1st time since the 2nd world war this years event is being held in potsdam the capital state of brandon book state near berlin that german president from father steinmeyer will be speaking shortly well bring you his speech live its a splendid occasion but this years festivities are scaled down in compliance with social distancing measures and other restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus kind. Of help me guide us through the events today and shine a light on its significance im joined in the studio but it of you cross part. Common ration venue in potsdam nina hoss is standing by at the iconic Brandenburg Gate in berlin we welcome. Thomas sparrow and lets start with you the german president is speakin
All participants shall refrain from discussing any classified or other information protected from public disclosure. Second, the committee is conducting virtual hearing in compliance with house revolution 965. And the regulations for remote proceedings. Its being broadcast live on the committees website. Because the threat posed by covid19 pandemic remains ongoing, we are proceeding this hearing remotely in order m to ensure the safety of our witnesses, members, staff andnd public. All wish we could return to all standard and person events, health and safety protocols dictate we find alternate means of carrying out or oversightht obligations. Okay, let me s remind members during remote procedures, first consistent with the regulations the committee will keep their microphonese muted to keep down background noise be they responsible for under it in themselves and they see recognition they are recognized for five minutes. Sometimes our delays when commuting or unmute in, i would ask memb