BREAKING NEWS

A special edition of the Weekend Journal with an in-depth look at the Middle East from a New Yorker who, in the wake of 9/11, wanted to understand why this happened to his hometown. Lee Smith’s ideas are provocative, some might say fatalistic, but his book, “Strong Horse” provides more than enough material to cover an entire episode of the Townhall.com Weekend Journal, with host, Hugh Hewitt.

Dennis Prager takes listeners back to August 2010, when a black man in Manchester, Connecticut murdered 8 whites and told the 911 operator that he wished he could have killed more. Of course, the media was silent, few in America heard about this massacre; there were no fingers pointed at liberals for their consistent race-baiting "vitriol." No doubt that if there were any dots to connect between an assassin and the daily media/political drum beat it would have been from this horrible event.

Yale professor and—many of you will remember—victim of a Unabomber attack in 1993, David Gelernter joined Bill Bennett to discuss the new Congress and where their priorities ought to be. Paul Ryan, Congressman from Wisconsin and now Chairman of the House Budget Committee, was a guest of Hugh Hewitt's. Bill Bennett spoke with Fouad Ajami, John Hopkins professor and senior fellow at the Hoover Institute about the international situation. Prager fires shots at the European/Leftist view of the world. Tarek Fatah, the author of “The Jew is Not My Enemy” and the founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress was a guest of Dennis Prager.

Bill Bennett and Byron York analyze the closing moments of the 111th Congress. Michael Medved discusses the results of the 2010 Census showing people moving from liberal states to conservative ones. The arrest of nine terror suspects in Great Britain provides yet another wake-up call on yet another near-miss. New York Times London Bureau Chief John Burns discusses it with Hugh Hewitt. In 2006 James Swanson wrote the book “Manhunt” on the murder of Abraham Lincoln and the chase for his assassin. In his research for that fine book he came upon another: With “Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln’s Corpse,” Swanson looks at the grief of the nation in the wake of Lincoln’s death and the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. Hewitt spends three segments with Swanson.

An episode not to be missed!

Hugh Hewitt discussed the tax cut issue with National Review’s Jim Geraghty. Bill Bennett spoke with Congressman Paul Ryan about the deal. On Monday, Federal District Judge Henry Hudson from Virginia struck down the “individual mandate” of Obamacare, requiring Americans to purchase heath insurance--Prager discusses. The suicide attack last weekend by an Iraqi-born Swede in Stockholm left two injured and the would-be murderer dead--Michael Medved on more from this story. Prager on the lesson to be learned from riots in the UK (with attack on the Prince and Camilla's car). Hewitt talks to Pres Bush about his faith during his presidency. Prager on Atheists attacking Christmas and Christians.

Senator Jim Demint and Hugh Hewitt hash over Obama's two year Bush tax cut extension. Bill Bennett and Congressman Pete Hoekstra discuss Wikileaks. Michael Medved shares a huge piece of information on DADT that has been ignored by the MSM. Frank Gaffney, from the Center for Security Policy and Hewitt discuss the START Treaty. Dennis Prager discusses the nomination of R&B artist Cee Lo Green for “Song of the Year.” It's titled, "F--- You." Bill Bennett and George W. Bush spend two segments discussing his 8 years as President.

Hugh Hewitt spoke to Marc Theissen, formerly with the CIA and author of “Courting Disaster.” They discussed Wikileaks. Michael Medved remarks on how the President has announced the government’s own “austerity measure”—a two year pay freeze for all federal workers. Byron York and Bill Bennett discussed the attempted Islamic jihad in Portland, Oregon--Dennis Prager also had a few things to say about the attempted jihad. Gordon Chang—author of “Nuclear Showdown North Korea Takes on the World”—explained the high stakes game on the peninsula with Bill Bennett. Al Mohler discussed the marriage culture with Leon Kass—former head of the President George W. Bush’s council on BioEthics and now fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Amidst the holiday travel schedule and the annual speculation over whether Americans are traveling more or less, shopping more or less than last year, we’re taking a step back in this week’s Journal to talk about the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday itself. Thanksgiving is the least corrupted of the major holidays. It seems to have retained its essential spirit—untainted, or at least not completely distorted by the forces of commercialization and secularization. Yet the historical origins of the Pilgrims and the nature of those particular immigrants remains—for too many—a subject they know little about. Michael Medved has done yeoman’s work with a special program originally done for his own “Michael Medved Show.” In this season of Thanksgiving, we’ll go to Michael for a historical look at the separatists, the pilgrims, the Puritans and the historical context that gave rise to Thanksgiving.

Hugh Hewitt and Weekly Standard Editor, Bill Kristol discussed Obama's trip to Asia. While visiting Jakarta, Indonesia, President Obama chose to criticize Israel for...building apartments in Jerusalem--Prager discusses. Dennis Prager gets more details on the TSA scanning procedure from blogger and Army vet Michael Fumento. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal recounted his dramatic interaction with President Obama with Salem’s Janet Mefferd. Robert Putnam and David Campbell have recently released one of the most definitive works on religion in the U.S. Putnam was on with Michael Medved to discuss “American Grace.” Dennis Prager discussed the unbelievable increase in government/public sector pay as private sector pay have declined dramatically.

Michael Medved discussed Obama's rhetoric after the election. Senator Jim Inhofe explains to Dennis Prager how he plans to solve the earmark problem. Michael Barone and Hugh Hewitt sort through the post-election results. Bob VanderPlaats was a guest of Mike Gallagher to discuss judicial events in Iowa regarding the issue of same-sex marriage. Former Hugh Hewitt interviewed Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice who has penned an absolutely gripping volume, telling the story of her life—her family’s life, really—beginning in Birmingham, Alabama in the 50s. Dennis Prager on San Francisco banning Happy Meals.

Dennis Prager gives his two cents and then Bill Bennett interviews Byron York on the elections. Michael Medved reviews Obama's day-after presser. Hugh Hewitt with Senator Jim Demint on the elections. The Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour, also head of the Republican Governors’ Association was a guest of Mike Gallagher to discuss the elections. Bill Bennett and Newt Gingrich reflect on the elections, the future, and compare to '94. Michael Medved on the contrast between Florida and the not-so- golden, on-the-edge-of-bankrupty, California.

Hugh Hewitt and Karl Rove discuss the elections. Bill Bennett and Mark Steyn do the same. Dennis Prager asked Salem’s own Michael Medved about his short list of races to watch and support. Stanley Kurtz makes the most compelling and well-documented case to date for Obama being a bona fide radical. Hewitt hosted the National Review contributor to discuss his book, “Radical in Chief.”

Dennis Prager, responds to the president and explaining why this election cycle is far more than the average mid-term. Michael Barone tells Hugh Hewitt that he recognizes signs of a shift—away from socialized democracy and back towards free enterprise. Hugh Hewitt interviews Alaska senatorial candidate, Joe Miller. Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute was on with Bill Bennett to explain the latest Iranian situation. Michael Medved on Obama twice leaving "Creator" out of the Declaration of Independence.

On this week’s Townhall.com Weekend Journal: Michael Medved highlights the slander targeting “The Architect:” Karl Rove. Later, Rove tells Hugh Hewitt that Obama is desperate to change the narrative from his failed economic policies to unsubstantiated claims against Rove and former RNC Head Ed Gillespie. Hewitt talks with FOX News’s Charles Krauthammer about the latest polls spelling doom for Democrats this November. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is on Morning in America with Bill Bennett. Medved gets an inside look at Nancy Pelosi from author Rochelle Schweizer. Hewitt talks with “Columnist of the World” Mark Steyn about the Left’s love affair with multi-culturalism at the expense of their own colleagues.

Dennis Prager discusses Gloria Allred and her client's smears against CA gubernatorial candidate, Meg Whitman, with, Meg Whitman. Hugh Hewitt invited Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy on his program to discuss the special Islam panel on “This Week with Christiane Amanpour.” Dinesh D’Souza, author of the provocative new release: “The Roots of Obama’s Rage” spoke with Frank Pastore. Mike Gallagher discussed Bob Woodward's new book with the author himself. Michael Medved tackles the campaign-mode Obama and his use of the word "slavery" and "change" to motivate his base.

Andrew Breitbart and Hugh Hewitt discuss Congressman Alan Grayson's "Taliban Dan" ad. Dennis Prager on the hate coming from the liberal/Democrat side of the political spectrum. With change in the air, the mudslinging has begun. In the race for California governor, Republican Meg Whitman is, in the latest poll, one point up over would-be repeat-Governor Jerry Brown. Attorney Gloria Allred has stepped into the fray again, this time stumping for Brown as she brings forward allegations about the legal status of the housekeeper for the Whitman family. When Whitman was formally notified of the illegal status of the family housekeeper, they did what the law would seem to require: they let her go. I invited Allred on “The Hugh Hewitt Show” to defend her latest publicity stunt.

Hugh Hewitt interviews leading contender seeking to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio, about the death of the DREAM act—the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. Michael Medved discusses Obama's economic message. Bill Bennett reached out to Joe Miller in an effort to understand Alaska and the disgraceful move by Murkowski. A reporter for the Los Angeles Times and now the author of the book “Nothing to Envy,” Demick was on “The Dennis Prager Show” to discuss the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea. Dennis Prager recently interviewed Leon DeWinter—a Dutch writer and columnist. Here’s their interchange on what dooms the future of the European state.

Bill Bennett spoke with the Weekly Standard’s Bill Kristol on Republican outsider Christine O’Donnell soundly defeating moderate Congressman Mike Castle, marking yet another major win for the Tea Party. Michael Medved points out Democrat candidates running as conservatives and failing to mention Obama, Pelosi, or that they are Democrats. David Limbaugh has compiled a stinging indictment of the current president in his latest book, “Crimes Against Liberty.” He discusses it with Hugh Hewitt.

Mark Steyn proposes that Obama thinks the presidency is beneath him. Steyn tells Hugh Hewitt that Obama is more suited for President of the World! Michael Medved wonders what happened to Obama's "Summer of Recovery"? With frequent complaints about Jewish influence and “the Israel lobby,” author Mitchell Bard’s latest book looks into another major force in the region, one we see much less written about—“The Arab Lobby”--he spoke to Dennis Prager. As a young man Walid Shoebat [Wall-eed Show-bawt] was member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. The son and grandson of prominent Palestinian families, he later served prison time for inciting violence against Israel. Shoebat has changed course and is now a courageous and provocative voice against so much of what he fought for in his youth. He was a guest of Michael Medved.

Michael Medved spoke with retired Colonel Ralph Peters about the president’s speech and concerns over the course going forward in Iraq. Dennis Prager discusses the media's obsession with race at the Glenn Beck rally. Dennis Prager warns us about Tom Tancredo's run for governor in Colorado. Hugh Hewitt has Alaska candidate Joe Miller. Bill Bennett with a leading expert on the Middle East, Fouad Ajami, Director of the Middle East Studies program at John Hopkins University. Prager on the United States holding up yet another nation for scrutiny on human rights--us!

Bill Bennett speaks with Jim Geraghty about election returns; Medved talks about Obama's "sick" economy; Hewitt interviews Peter Hitchens about his new book; and Bill Bennett gives analysis on why people are growing more disillusioned with President Obama.

Michael Medved weighs-in on the Ground Zero mosque; so do Bill Bennett and Steve Emerson. Dennis Prager spoke with George Friedman from the military intelligence think tank, STRATFOR about the Iran-Israel breaking point. Hugh Hewitt and the "Smart Guys" discuss the Prop 8 situation. Dennis Prager and Steven Greenhut of the Pacific Research Institute talk about the public pension problem infecting our country.

Hugh Hewitt and Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute deliberate the somber events along the Israeli-Lebanon boarder. Bill Bennett caught up with Texas Governor Rick Perry on the increasing risks that come as a result of an all-too-porous-border. Bill Bennett spoke with James Pethokoukis, the Reuters blogger and reporter who broke the story on the Obama administration's consideration to forgive a massive debt package through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A racist black man murdered 8 whites in Connecticut but the media is mostly silent; when they have reported the story, whitey is blamed. Colonel Oliver North was on with Michael Medved discussing today’s servicemen. If religion is a force for ill, what impact does secularism have on the content of our character? Dennis Prager answers. Victor Davis Hansen and Hewitt on the WTC mosque.

The Wall Street Journal's William McGurn and Mike Gallagher relate the Auschwitz-Pope John Paul II story with the mosque at Ground Zero. Dennis Prager weighs-in too. Michael Medved and Michael Barone tackle the 71 to 29 vote in Missouri that prohibited the federal government from forcing people to have health insurance. Hugh Hewitt and Albert Mohler discuss the decision in California to reject Prop 8. Bill Bennett discussed the latest chapter of WikiLeaks with author and former CIA man Mark Thiessen. Prager calls Obama a liar!