Title: Here and Now for Wednesday, October 14, 2009

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" I'm Robin Young it's here and now lawmakers are -- a bit more detail about what Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner knew and when he knew. About those big bonuses for executives at bailed out AIG. The special inspector general overseeing the bailout program told congress today that he found no evidence that Geithner then head of the New York fed. Knew about the 165. Million dollar bonuses when they were paid out last march. But the inspector general -- Geithner for not knowing about them. The IG's report shows that even the AIG kitchen assistant got a bonus of seven 700. Dollars. Well the news comes as the Obama administration is trying to claw back some of those bonuses and decide whether to restrict them going forward. Also today lawmakers are talking about creating that consumer financial protection agency but. Has it already been guided to get around up Steve diamond. Is Washington finance editor for Bloomberg News Steve how damning isn't that Geithner did not know about those bonuses."

" Robin good to be with Hewitt remains to be seen how lawmakers on the house oversight and government reform committee view. The report that's being delivered by the other treasury watchdog. He basically says that the the treasury -- get attention to them bonuses that were being paid they didn't consider them to be a big deal. In that -- boat a 182 billion dollars of government assistance. 290000865. Million dollar and retention bonuses to this one -- BIG did not rise to the level of being. A concern for the treasury or for the Federal Reserve unit to work or recycle code these -- remains to be seen how -- congress in general views will."

" AIG says that they were by contract obligated panties bonuses that they are negotiating with the government. Not just to mate perhaps give back some of love bonuses aren't given out but to restrict them down the road what's the sense of how that's hearing today."

" Well that would be -- the popular approach that congress would definitely support this is the second time that bonuses retention bonuses paid to. -- This first emerged as. In interest for AIG recipient of a lot of government money. Under 65 million dollars to keep employees in this financial products unit. What I think and it's salted the wound in his these -- the people who created the credit default swaps that critical problems that led to AIG meeting about."

" Instead to switch to the consumer financial protection agency Joe -- columnist writes in the New York Times that. Committee chair Barney Frank stripped requirement. That lenders must have plain Vanilla provisions -- What would force brokers to offer simple thirty year mortgages. And there's also a reasonable standard act that would have forced bankers to make sure their clients understand what they're buying when they buy it. But the chamber of commerce and some banks are still. Dead set against -- even though some say it's really been watered down so a couple questions for full why aren't they against it and is -- it will have any --"

" But there are against it because they don't want yet another government agency regulating the businesses that therein. Currently these consumer issues are handled by the various banking regulators be -- DIC. The office of comptroller of the currency or the Federal Reserve. The industry the banking industry in the chamber of commerce does not want the government to create yet another new bureaucracy another agency that they feel is. Going to interfere that's their work interfere with their with their business plan. At this point or franks has as you correctly point out. Introduced a different version of the consumer financial protection agency that strips out a number of the provisions of the Obama administration include. And creates a wide swath of exempted businesses. If you're not basically providing financial services or not covered Bosnia but the agency's oversight."

" Well still this would be the first real regulation. Following the huge collapse Jonas -- concludes that even though it's been somewhat watered down it still will be strong. What's the sense that it will pass."

" This is the centerpiece of the Obama regulatory overhaul the the congress. Basically like Chris start in the Senate and Barney Frank in India and -- There will be a consumer financial protection agency where in this process is done to the extent that it has people have to wait and see how -- its rules and regulations. But at least from the Democrats in both the house and the Senate they're committed to passing -- consumer financial protection agency this year."

" Steve -- in Washington finance and there for Bloomberg News Steve thank you are. What Pakistan's foreign minister is in Washington for the second time in two weeks. Seeking assurances that the new US foreign aid bill won't impinge on Pakistani sovereignty. One of the requirements of the aid packages that pakistanis take on insurgents. Is easy as it sounds those insurgents range from Islamic militants looking to impose Sharia law to. Punjab -- fighters nurtured by Pakistan intelligence agencies to attack India. To the so called economic Taliban fighters for higher. It's time for a little primer on who exactly is the enemy in Pakistan. Nicholas she Mittal is a fellow at the New America Foundation. Author of to live or perish forever to tumultuous years in Pakistan his time living there and he's here give -- that who's who Nicholas welcome. -- Americans tend to say the Taliban in this over arching sweeping phrase that. We noted that just doesn't get at it so tell us more about the various factions fighting in Pakistan starting with the Taliban is the Taliban in Pakistan the same as in Afghanistan."

" What that's that's a great question it's a great start off when I was actually trying to break it down a bit chronologically fuel all it Calvin emerge in Afghanistan the Taliban as we. Conventionally understood them. In the mid 1990s and they were led by the mullah Omar character who who. Continues to be considered the leader of the Taliban and Afghanistan. The Taliban words were supported and -- fostered and were armed and funded by -- Pakistani intelligence agencies. And during the time that they will rule in Afghanistan they also opened their doors and and told us on the modern al-Qaeda they could be based there. After 9/11 and after the US invasion of Afghanistan. The al-Qaeda and the Taliban scattered. And operated took up residence in Pakistan's tribal areas and some Taliban leaders did the same. Over the course of the past several years during which al-Qaeda has been based in Pakistan. Longer than they were ever base in Afghanistan. And over that time we've seen the emergence of what we call the Pakistani Taliban. And then now goes by the name turvy -- about Pakistan that PPP. And so this is kind of where we are now this is who the Pakistani Taliban arts."

" And how our day the same as or different from al-Qaeda."

" There -- different from al-Qaeda in the sense that the Taliban are local militants fighting as you mentioned earlier four. You know to to sort of reimposed. With the Taliban and Afghanistan are very strict Sharia state. Whereas al-Qaeda is a foreign terrorist organization that has no home. So. Okay need it how to edit or -- these organizations like it to be able to get it safe -- and the Taliban. And this is that this is the key question you know the Taliban. Are fighting for more nationalistic purposes the problems over the course the past several years there has been such close. Cooperation between -- al-Qaeda that what we understood the Taliban in 2002. It's very different from what we understand the Taliban 2000 -- so. Because it is. Particularly with respect to the Pakistani Taliban. Their ambitions and there agenda has beyond stretching beyond just the question areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The longer. And al-Qaeda in close quite vacation with that the Taliban were seen Taliban tax. Tactics become more severe and we there was no there were no instances of suicide bombings in Afghanistan before 2001. And now suicide bombings in order today the heading rivals has become in order to -- in my mind these are all. Results of the informed that al-Qaeda has had on the Pakistan Taliban."

" we're seeing recently suicide bombings in Pakistan. But delicious to stay with defining the group's. There's been in the US intelligence of course an archive is having financial problems in part because of US efforts to cut off its. Funding sources right while the Taliban seems not to have those problems it seems to have more money."

" Right that's a great great jumping off point I mean. For al-Qaeda. Today -- will when I talk about al-Qaeda I think most people talk about I didn't think of it being represented by its mostly Arab organization with. Also substantial number of uzbeks and consumption actions. But it is as I said it's it's foreigners that are that are comprising al-Qaeda. Much of their fundraising is therefore coming overseas and the US and particularly there's on an office in the State Department that's been fantastic job. Of the shutting down the foreign fighter pipelines shutting down the resources. That have been -- channel al-Qaeda -- for years whereas the Taliban are using more local. Revenue sources there there taxing. You know -- taxing merchants in transporters and poppy growers in everything else there's sort of you know they aren't making as much for every donation but there's a lot of donations that are coming in girl at a very local."

" it's internal and you interacted with Taliban when you live in Pakistan -- one point. You'd sold a car to Pakistan you could get the money you thought of calling the Taliban to help you because they consider the sort of sixers."

" Right right right or they. You know that's the Taliban's reputation in Pakistan was built largely in areas where the government's -- has collapsed. And where it Taliban. Overcoming -- as saying look you know will bring justice. Will brain common sense of order will bring a sense of government and and you know and and 20062007. You know they were they were considered the sort of the repo man I mean. If you edit land dispute are you better but a bad deal over car you that a -- dispute. The Taliban -- common in mediate that. And I'm really witnessed this firsthand and October 2007 spent several days as a guest of the Taliban in Swat Valley. And witnessed them one afternoon conducting public punishments. And day they were lashing criminal that'll involved in the kidnapping scheme. And you know that you could sense that. Urging for that that -- force some sense of order as they work. -- they were conducting -- no option for going to count 54321. He knows the 15000 people that were present were camping out these numbers like the final seconds the basketball game. And you know he just really appreciated that that this is what people want and the Taliban have since sort of taken it too far it."

" Well let's just say this this miss holly G and and may leave the reality. Is that the Taliban -- thought of as these highest may be rough humor pious Muslims who are nothing more than Sharia law they. He simulate Serb Muslim Robin hoods and within -- also murdered women who -- dancers in the Swat Valley so did did opinion changed."

" I think again I think it really would have to look back at around the spring of 2009 when. The government in February signed -- with gays the Pakistani Taliban controls -- and gave them essentially said you know you walk and impose Sharia they're just don't. Take your kids don't take your -- outside of of the Swat Valley. And the Taliban of advanced at a -- into the neighboring district implement it didn't work deal -- you know the big news is that he kind of in in a weird way actually worked perfect. Because what it did -- it galvanized public opinion against Taliban. The public for the first time could see the Taliban true colors which is that they did not want -- small confined on clay but the they have larger ambitions. So even at the deal and I agree with you mean to deal I don't think was meant to work out. Quite as perfect as it did but this is the -- change a Pakistani public opinion and certainly in the newspaper went from debating. Do we expected housing do we fight the Taliban to how do we fight it."

" As you point the Taliban and he's always popular until they actually come into power that dancers that was arrested we spoke of you right. But how she was dragged from her home. She begs the Taliban to shoot her. Rather than slit her throat in his -- right they oblige her. This have an impact on Pakistan he says we're -- here -- with writer Nicholas -- to get a firmer on the militant groups in Pakistan. That the Obama administration seems to be focusing on more and more. -- spent two years in the region including making trips into the most violent regions when we come back. We'll ask him about the violence and about the duel that led to the recent spate of violence in the country. For attacks in nine days including one and the country's military headquarters that's. When we come back later today a couple struggles through the recession keep their dairy farm. -- it for you as well second limit here and now."

" Funding for here and now comes from the math works creators of Matt -- and simulate technical computing software. Dedicated to accelerating the pace of discovery in engineering and science worldwide. On the web at math works dot com."

" Welcome back to our conversation with -- middle author of to live or perish forever to tumultuous years in Pakistan. And -- is giving as a who's who Pakistan militants including the various Taliban leaders and nick this past summer of Pakistan military missile attack. Killed a charismatic Taliban leader for two in the suit. Afterwards there was some calm this reports of a dramatic duel for succession. And we've recently seen a spate of violence so what's going on."

" Did do you mentioned. Was reported to be between two repeated successors hockey mullah Massoud. And -- Iraq month. Hockey -- has emerged as as the leader of the Pakistani Taliban but the problem. That the Pakistani Taliban have now is that they eight are returning to their pre date to the -- to -- that's really just. A collection of gangs."

" Well and I'm just thinking that this is astonishing that. All of these in major powers the US Pakistan. Are dealing with fighters who are having duels you know it just says so much about. The -- of -- of its okay. Gangs and we -- summer considered by the Pakistan government better than others I mean. You have the tribal leader is evolving -- year. Right who's a darling of the Pakistani military establishment. Because he fights US and NATO forces in Afghanistan."

" That's exactly right there are cases actually in the spring of 2007. There was that. And land in South Waziristan more than -- here it was a Pakistani Taliban leader who pointed guns to the west to Afghanistan. And there were all of these uzbeks foreign militants that were taken up residence in his area and then -- meters scuffle. And Nazir wanted to purge -- respect out of his area it would who he says they were making trouble -- not tribal elders. And the Pakistani army. Took off their uniforms. Put on local close. And armed the Pakistani Taliban as they were fighting against these Ford -- so this is really reasonable and adhere to to legendary status as. Like you said if friendly good Taliban who's willing to sort of pursue Pakistan's national security interest."

" Even though he's also willing to fight US and NATO forces in Afghanistan and exactly so this extent how complicated this is. But on top of this. Do we also have other militant groups in Pakistan that are not Taliban but we understand if the price is right are willing to fight with the Taliban."

" But I didn't the price is right in fact I mean you could make your argument that the Punjabi militants."

" Which predated. The Pakistani Taliban's emergency in Pakistan in -- that and I did not -- I'm thinking of blush very -- about. The group that was responsible for the -- attacks in Mumbai last year. I'm thinking of generation on the -- group that's been responsible for a number of attacks in India including an attack on the parliament December of 2001."

" I don't these groups by the way is supported by some of Pakistan's secret agencies because they do attack Indians."

" They have been for sure harsher picture and into what happens is if we look at. The point which these groups sort of began to collapse of the Pakistani -- revealed dates back to. The red mosque incident in July of 2007 in which the Pakistani army stormed this mosque in Islamabad. Hundreds of people were killed. And in the aftermath of that is is when the suicide bomb the spate of suicide bombings began. But so many of these and other militant groups that were kind of not really sure what they're you know what they're sort of reason to be wise. -- many years after nine elevenths all of a sudden now these groups decided they're very welcoming Taliban camps and al-Qaeda camps in the co habitation. Between -- Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaeda is becoming closer and closer."

" Well is -- sense. We're reading stories about the Taliban in Afghanistan. Time magazine for instance saying that some 70% of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan are working for a ten dollar day paycheck. Two out of three can be bought half. And -- you read these numbers you know right now it's costing the US 165. Million dollars a day to fight in Afghanistan and by. Time magazine's estimates it could cost of 300000 dollars a day if he just paid the Taliban. Militants. It is that transferable to Pakistan -- Pakistan. Taliban fighters also fighters that can be paid to switch sides."

" I would say that is that it's that applies less to the Pakistani Taliban and that's again getting back to this notion of -- close cooperation with al-Qaeda."

" The Afghan Taliban are largely I think you could generalized Afghan Taliban as being."

" You know is being -- to have AK forty sevens and that you know or just trying to sort of fight for to protect their Stanley in a tribe in their home in their village. Whereas the Pakistani Taliban their ambitions -- gotten greater ultimately these key. Steve power in Pakistan it is much more appealing to get these states are Afghanistan."

" So you think happens now when there was as you -- a brief respite in the Swat Valley over the summer but in the last couple of weeks CC in this. Incredible uptick in violence in Pakistan we understand that the Pakistani military may be on the verge of launching a major operation in South Waziristan. Where many of these groups are. But what do you think is the chance. Of Pakistan taking on. This range. Of militant groups."

" The Pakistani army is already stretched very it part of the negotiations part of the discussion with the US over the past several years has been trying to. Assure the pakistanis that Indian no longer poses an existential threat and that he can -- it's several 100000 troops that are stationed permanently along Indian border and it can reposition them in the tribal areas to fight the Pakistani Taliban. Pakistani security establishment hasn't patents are there condensed. As long as they're strategic mindset remains focused -- India poses the most existential threat to Pakistan not to militants."

" It's it's going to be very difficult -- to achieve. The objectives of eliminating the Taliban and al-Qaeda."

" But you also say that the Taliban is its own worst enemy we mean by that."

" Well they are 88 PR disaster and as we -- slot you give them enough time and enough space and people realize that the idea and the noble like abstraction of what the Taliban say they represent is very different from what the Taliban actually brain when -- coming govern."

" And they the myth is Robin Hood but the reality is this harsh Sharia law."

" Very much I mean essentially. You give them enough time and space and the Taliban will begin to defeat themselves in the public opinion you've taken on militarily and he breathed life into that with every. Every bomb every missile every gun."

" Clinton dilemma. Nicholas Middleton a fellow at the New America Foundation he's also author of to live or perish forever to tumultuous years in Pakistan. Nicholas thank you so much for your time today. I'm -- Young it's here and now."

" This is the kind of stuff they have been trying to make sure didn't happen all the stuff is the main streaming to work winnable from. All that's our right wing fringe they tried to put me here on him -- just keep tiptoeing. Into the mainstream image you're typically."

" That kind of stuff Rush Limbaugh's talking about in his today show interview is his attempt to buy an NFL team. World that this popular talk show host is part of a group trying to by the St. Louis Rams has sparked a lot of protests especially from African American players. The mine has had supporters Chicago Bears receiver Rashied Davis says the game as a business if Limbaugh -- he will play. But others cite his controversial and they -- racist remarks. Roman -- won a Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his twelve year career today he helps other athletes make the transition from sports to the workforce. He contributes to the Washington Post NFL blonde the league and is also chair of the local Democratic Party in kennel on New Jersey. So Romans stepped up make your case why are you against Rush Limbaugh having any ownership of an NFL team."

" We know that sports in general football sports in general. Offers offers divergent from religion politics race and distrust of life. But when you have to -- what rush limbo. Who represented a polarized and point of view I just don't think you want that kind of a polarizing figure to be part of an ownership because. NFL ownership has changed the face sort of appreciating its its business group it's the biggest -- if not from -- the -- of football that all the teams now. And you say well maybe it's the guy who would be a point guard I don't really think -- vote viewpoint guy if you will be able to be a partnership programs. He would assure himself on from these committees that make policy that ultimately affect gonna fall football players that the biggest fear I think I hear a lot of people who built like these show the same."

" Well is it that he's a polarizing figure or that his politics are different from your aegis and you -- the local democratic. Chair. This and he's obviously. Republican was so is it does is that may -- a little unfairly just has a different political point of view than you do."

" Let's go back to 2003. What he says about Donovan McNabb."

" This is what Rush Limbaugh was an ESPN commentator very briefly in 2003 and he said. The media. Overrated. Philly Eagles cornerback Donovan McNabb because the media. Once and you know playing the liberal media wants a black quarterback to succeed. And McNabb is sent by the way that he wouldn't play for the rams if -- on the team."

" If he is an owner would -- better top forty opens up his -- again it's just something. Now as represented about the rams organization and reputable ownership as a holding -- well these are just my -- these are democratic views versus Republican views. I know a lot of people are Republicans that don't like plus football and what's he gonna say next as a representative of the rams and represented a bit of -- and I think that's the biggest fear."

" Well some of the of the comments he referred to one game as looking like the crips and the bloods without weapons but it looks to another former NFL player this is Mercury Morris also African American. And not opposed to involve owning a portion of an NFL team here's what he told CNN."

" I think the guy should be given an opportunity you say you wanna go out there and you want to own a football team okay go out there and see what that actually means to own a football team."

" What it would not connected to let him sink or swim."

" We're not cardinal what are not get the right to auditorium it's what you get with that ownership. That would just be a matter of time to -- a walking time bomb."

" Well that may be Ryan NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has called. Limbaugh's comments divisive in Indianapolis Colts owner Jim -- saying says he would vote against Limbaugh. It seems like that thinking may be. Why would the NFL want that much attention it's it's an organization that sometimes you know. Maybe maybe wants to conduct its business not. On the commercial --"

" You'll have to think about where the NFL has gone. In the last justice save a lot. Five centimeters are in minority coaches are we -- we've we've elected the first African American president and it's not just affected -- what an African Americans from what -- American it is just what country is --"

" Former NFL player Roman Oben now vice president of development for the corporate playbook and share the local Democratic Party in -- on New Jersey. Roman thanks so much for weighing in on the Rush Limbaugh intensive. Pardon them here."

" We'll be back in thirty seconds with a visit to a Massachusetts dairy farm left him there. Trying to hold on their cows and their cash. As milk prices rise and fall in this roller coaster economy -- thirty seconds. Here and now."

" Welcome back here and now and our. Legal series five farms pro -- profiles of farm families across the country. Today they -- there's an extended family of dairy farmers in cold rain Massachusetts. Dare challenge how to survive in the short term. Despite subsidies and sometimes pricing dairy farmers often make just a few -- profit from a gallon of milk at the supermarket. Since 1970 on average 15000. Of the country's dairy farms have gone out of business every year. Massachusetts has fewer than 200 dairy farms left at the depth of the recession earlier this year the haters were losing money would each milking."

" You can only do that so far and I really question this time around how many guys are gonna stick -- it in your brain is still. -- Massachusetts's. Pretty dedicated and -- along time and -- on to write out the storm on the other hand. With the whole economy look in -- and -- that's gonna -- so people stick with it. Longer because they know there's nothing else they can do or whether they're just gonna say things are looking bad and bail."

" It's hard to tell. That's tip he -- he has wife Sherri on -- produce farm. Tip the third generation of -- to farm the land on steep hills near the Vermont border. If they make it to the current crisis the -- plan on the future farm that involves their kids but to get there. They have to have outside employment most farm families do. So at age 52 Cheri Hager is a student at Greenfield community college. Working towards a nursing degree our story is produced by John BUN and seasonally."

" You're seeing now my Spanish one of one teacher says it the only time you roll the ours is planning to double our -- payroll. Meetings but that's me -- know means dialogue. -- and a and era in its eighth air undertaking and it means you can do both -- business partners. I just went back to school. There's no way then I'm going to be able to let -- old. Of the fine I mean parity haven't in my head that you know I'm going to work my. Twelve hour shifts three days a week and I'm gonna arm four days. --"

" Raising six children was not a very easy thing to do we raised her. -- four that we also raise money we cemented so. When they were in school I have and the chairman of the board of registrars I have worked alongside the town clerk as her assistant in our town I have been a waitress. I have been. I have and you substitute that our local high school. I worked pouring concrete. When summer. I made cookies and donuts and sold them to get the kids' bicycles one year. Some. -- numerous things."

" You know this most any job that he's out there. It is more. Financially beneficial than working on the fire. And definitely fewer hours. Our oldest son was here it left it is a dollars and."

" Censorship. Many older brother used to work here and decided it was really for him he's a security guard at a nuclear plant."

" So -- is compensated well. And -- there not the greatest but better than firemen. Youngest daughter my younger sister. Really he's never been into the council human nature and you're so she's in there and works in. Intensive care unit."

" Local hospital. And and really only -- from the get go into college for and I can decide if that's what they wanted."

" Kim is our oldest daughter. And Todd is the youngest son. Both of them are very interesting course Kim's husband is here. Odds wife is a registered nurse works and nursing home."

" Last I checked my wife's still okay let me being here so. Every day get to work excellent father and me can be tapped my sister my brother LaMont. Not yet my mother's launch camped -- there. It can get that restaurant. Every gets along and we're family we don't always get along but. 99% of the time we're friends it's not just them myself. I'm not going anywhere as long as I can and a."

" Stanley transfers tricky business as it is especially when you have. There's six of us kids so."

" I've made my feelings known right and again and at the farm is gonna stay units and anybody that's here. Work NN wanting yet. We'll have. It's that choose to leave the farm and I'm not gonna right arm up so they can get. --"

" Trillion to my parents and we'll see we'll see how it goes and they're very committed to keeping the -- together and my siblings. Are very committed to keeping. The firemen here and intact. They just wanna see here and running so I think they're very. Open maybe in more than to another sometimes other families are because there's some real. Huge emotional attachment keeping this -- together for all of us."

" I estimate my head confidence and him. Lower because -- diversified. It gives us the ability to stick with it a little bit easier. The young folks are really. Dedicated to follow through. All we're here for the long haul."

" Because nothingness and mode this year -- And coming down alongside the road is just -- telephone pole there that's partly from you them that he dipped down."

" The information that's in that man's head. The farm would not function. If he just left tomorrow. I don't care what anybody says and it's nothing against him and -- or anybody else here. By then he's a walking owner's manual and reference that every single thing that hear everything that goes on. From the business send to the animals to the machinery."

" There's Iraq great on the home visit pitches over there in the sticks out he looked more like first second time around. I haven't had found real hit and question lives every time okay."

" And so hopefully. Before he decides to retire and move to Florida or something. I work within -- so that I've got at least a portion of an in my head. I mean it is not only does he have his knowledge but he's got all the knowledge it. His volley game to amend and so that's the scary thought of trying to run farm without him being here. Yeah it's beside them instantly and forever. And -- that it. --"

" Brothers farming pulling -- it's our series five farms as a production of Wesley Clark productions and the center for documentary studies at Duke University. But not about another family today radio host Tom join succeeded in getting a pardon for two great uncles who executed in the early nineteen hundreds. For the death of the confederate veteran. At the time more than a hundred people including a sheriff's signed a petition defending them today Joyner said. This won't bring them back. But it will bring closure in this is a very good yankees. You're listening to here now."

" Support for here and now comes in part from the Rockefeller Foundation and its campaign for American workers. More at rock found dot org."

" Great happily is back he's the scrawny kid with a concave tested just a few strands of hair who has intimate thoughts are dutifully recorded. In the wildly popular diary of a wimpy kid series he used the first entry in the latest installment."

" For many summer vacation is basically a three month guilt trip. Just because the weather's nice everyone expects it to be outside all day for all -- elaborate. And if you don't spend every second outdoors people think there's something wrong with you but the truth is -- and -- indoor person. The way out spend my summer vacation is in front of the TV playing video games with the curtains closed and the lights turned."

" Are once tomorrow were pulled into the life of this preteen -- moral backbone is about as thin as his cartoon stick figure. In Jeff -- wimpy kid books the latest the fourth installment is called dog days. Referring both to Greg have -- summer and the new puppy who makes wet spot on his pillow. Gary a little wimpy kid dog days is already the best selling book on Amazon.com. -- that Da Vinci code guy. And author Jeff Kinney joins us from the studios of WR and nine Providence, Rhode Island welcome. -- Robin thank you so much for having -- what at what a delight anyone who got advance copies of this book was immediately the most popular adult on earth. For people who haven't read the books you described -- Hefley."

" Hefley it is an in middle school kids he is and he can be a crummy friend he could be a bad person you can also be a good person. I think the latest just shining on him at the wrong moment in middle school he sort of half formed. Person I don't think any of us would have liked to have had their lives documented in the middle school years and that's what's happening in -- carefully how you describe his moral code I would say his moral code is whatever is the most convenient for him. He is a bit of a narcissistic but I think that at times you'd you'd get to see glimpses of the person he's going to become."

" Well in the kidney is will be familiar to lot of people. He wants to -- his birthday cards and -- her money out he racks up a bill that his friends country club for a little you know blender drinks. And -- to get a summer job to pay for it and he isn't just a really bad job both of mowing lawns and confesses to lose data just briefly trying to find out how to make money without doing anything."

" He's is he sort of a -- currency just can't."

" I think he's just a kid you know I think -- Hefley is what I did in writing this characteristic tries to. Remember the way it was to think like a kitten to rationalize everything. And you know I I sort of brought out the ugliness parts of a person and maybe you know maybe if and as an adult mindless parts now and just amplified them. I think a lot of kids can read about Craig's story and -- themselves in it and have a laugh at how much he acts like them or thinks like them at times."

" also is -- you're hoping they'll do you know make you laugh at him but in some way seeing and that mere. So when they really know they don't wanna be."

" Parade I think that you know the moral of the story if there is one is to not act like Greg. But I think that kids skip day and that he's not a role model it was a little bit tricky running for -- character because. And you that you and he Kabila a bit of a jerk somebody once said he's like Larry David as a kid and I thought that was a pretty good analogy."

" He Larry David -- just blows on the for a reason her from Curb Your Enthusiasm many plays kind of a -- curmudgeon."

" Right I think that Larry David is you know somehow he walks this tightrope of being. A bit of a jerk but he you root for him anyway so had he pulled that off I was a little bit worried that people wouldn't like the book because how can you latch on to this Carriker who doesn't always do the right thing that. I think Larry David's uprooted and Curb Your Enthusiasm and I'm trying to prevent and print."

" Well and critics wildly popular sales but then the New York Times tells us about a posting on Amazon. This person writes the words moron jerk -- and hot girls are you this is the first five pages currently and -- this is a port choice for good character building in your kits."

" The adults who are writing that and it is always that that you know only adults who were right those kinds of comments. I think they're missing the joke actually is that all of the humor in the books comes from Greg's our shortcomings. And so I think the kids knows that and I feel comfortable that kids are are in on the joke."

" Will the times also close child's ecologists from Harvard who say. This is capturing the struggle as a child trying to figure out what it means to be a person they could that is a good person. To what you're saying about kids in reading. All breaking athlete wants to do is make definitely contend with his blanket keep the curtains down watch TV his mom says he's not reading enough. You know there are so many millions of people at this point who credit these books with getting their kitrey."

" Prayed and I I wish I could have set out upon that path I wish I could claim that I set -- upon that path but. I didn't come I was trying to write books for adults actually went to write one big fat book -- that was installed repeat."

" she started this online this is on fun brain dot com at one point -- twenty million unique readers so you were riding sort of about -- dollar to two adults. He posted turns it into book for kids but along the way it sounds like he discovered that adults recognize. Their childhood in --"

" Yes that was one of life's great surprise is when my mighty nostalgia piece for adults -- became the children's series. But what I love is that com the book is making its way into. People's homes and then kids and their parents are reading it and so that's been a big treat for me to hear about that and I it was a big reader as a kid actually and I love Shel Silverstein spokes and CS Lewis's books JR tolkien's books and so I think that if anything my book -- end up being a gateway to more legitimate reading. We do influenced by Dennis the Menace when -- I was influenced by Dennis the Menace and other comics because one thing that I really like about cartoon characters is that they never age. And there's something about the character being stuck in time that that makes the reader feel that there are more accessible and that that you can run have a handle on that character and."

" It's not like you're gonna get to the end of the story in this going to be this big moral -- and great to have we learned his -- can already say that I have and that's."

" Part of the fun of the books I think the readers expecting an -- come in any second kind of set things right but an -- never steps then. And I think that's like his respond to its that they can't smell the adult behind the -- and by the way is critical wimp or a future you know sub prime mortgage salesman or -- it. I think Greg will grow to be a very average person he might not described himself as a win but. You know by calling it the wimpy kid on the cover I was trying to send a message to kids that you're better than this kid or or at least that this -- better than you. Because I think a lot of talents and children's -- the protagonist as heroic but. From the outset you know that this kid is not perfect."

" Attention one other thing you -- his class issues to dog days it's again about grades summer vacation. Which they can have mom calls -- meeting money's tight to the kicker to the beach we turn to say there are about classes -- or even the economy."

" It was fun to actually we've the current economic crisis in tune into my books and have critics Stanley be affected by it. You know he can't go on a summer vacation and and that results and forward momentum of the book is set Craig's mom is trying to create this ideal summer vacation despite not having the resources that the families had in the past. So yes this is -- shout out to all the people who are struggling a little bit."

" Well and you have been tremendously successful you worked as a computer game designer you still do. You've got these incredible books two boys and your wife in southeastern -- but only when the boys think."

" You know my boys -- like the books say in my wife reads and to them. I worry a little bit because my six year old kind of a absorbs the books that at face value in fact recently my -- fast my older son to go outside and ride bikes with her and my younger son. And my older son announce that he is more of an indoor person. -- it's. Which he certainly picked up from Greg have played so maybe you'll put the books away for a few years until he -- that filter that you know -- some other parents feel red Indians have. Says Kenny thanks so much well thank you."