Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - Sept. 26, 2012

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Sept. 26

4:00 – Islam, Jihad and the Tumultuous Middle East
After September 11, Americans agonized over why nineteen men hated the United States enough to kill three thousand civilians in an unprovoked assault. Analysts have offered a wide variety of explanations for the attack, but the one voice missing is that of the terrorists themselves. Dr. Mary Habeck is here to present the inner logic of al-Qa’ida and like-minded extremist groups by which they justify September 11 and the recent terrorist attacks across the Muslim world. Habeck explains that these extremist groups belong to a new movement—known as jihadism—with a specific ideology based on the thought of Muhammad ibn Abd al- Wahhab, Hasan al-Banna, and Sayyid Qutb. Jihadist ideology contains new definitions of the unity of God and of jihad, which allow members to call for the destruction of democracy and the United States and to murder innocent men, women, and children.

4:40 – Responding to Critics of “2016: Obama’s America”
In his memoir, Barack Obama omits the full name of his mentor, simply calling him “Frank.” Now, the truth is out: Never has a figure as deeply troubling and controversial as Frank Marshall Davis had such an impact on the development of an American president. Although other radical influences on Obama, from Jeremiah Wright to Bill Ayers, have been scrutinized, the public knows little about Davis, a card-carrying member of the Communist Party USA, cited by the Associated Press as an “important influence” on Obama, one whom he “looked to” not merely for “advice on living” but as a “father” figure. Author Paul Kengor recently published a book on Davis and Obama and was featured in Dinesh D’Souza’s breakout documentary “2016: Obama’s America.” Paul is here to respond to critics of his role in the documentary.

5:00 – “Support Israel. Defeat Jihad” Ads Go Up in NYC – Challenged in DC
As violent protests over an anti-Islamic film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad sweep over much of the Muslim world, a group called the American Freedom Defense Initiative has an ad in the New York subway system about jihad and Israel. The ad reads, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."The ad was also plastered on San Francisco city buses in recent weeks. Meanwhile in Washington DC, the transit authority is saying “no” to the ad and a district court has scheduled a hearing for October 4 to hear arguments on the case. Attorney Rob Muise who is trying this cast is here to discuss what he calls censorship by the Washington DC Transit Authority.

5:20 – Understanding the Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve System is the central banking system of the United States. It was created on December 23, 1913, with the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, largely in response to a series of financial panics, particularly a severe panic in 1907. Over time, the roles and responsibilities of the Federal Reserve System have expanded and its structure has evolved. The Fed is the source of much controversy and debate and holds tremendous control over the US monetary system, yet most Americans have no idea how it works. Investment manager George Schwartz is here to help us.