>> BETTER LATE THAN NEVER-- NEW YORK HAS A BUDGET.

A WORLD IN CRISIS--- DOES TRUMP HAVE A FOREIGN POLICY?

AND FROM CHICAGO TO THE VATICAN--WHAT DOES AMERICAN POPE MEAN FOR THE U.S.?

STAY TUNED FOR IVORY TOWER.

TBHL.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO IVORY TOWER.

I'M DAVID CHANATRY FROM UTICA UNIVERSITY.

I'M JOINED AROUND THE TABLE TONIGHT BY NINA MOORE FROM COLGATE UNIVERSITY, TY SEIDULE FROM HAMILTON COLLEGE, AARON STRONG FROM HAMILTON COLLEGE, AND LUKE PERRY FROM UTICA UNIVERSITY.

IT TOOK AN EXTRA 38 DAYS, BUT NEW YORK STATE FINALLY HAS A BUDGET.

THIS FOURTH BUDGET OF THE KATHY HOCHUL ERA INCLUDES MUCH OF WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTED--CRIMINAL JUSTICE CHANGES, A "BELL TO BELL" BAN ON CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS, AND INFLATION REBATE CHECKS, AMONG OTHER PROVISIONS.

LUKE, WHAT DO YOU LIKE, WHAT DON'T YOU LIKE ABOUT NEW YORK'S 254 BLED BUDGET?

>> THE ONE THING THAT STOOD OUT TO ME IS EDUCATION.

THIS HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR GOVERNOR HOCHUL THROUGHOUT HER TENURE.

WE SAW AN INCREASE IN EDUCATION FUNDING OVERALL AND WITH FORMULA AID, AND WE SAW CHANGES TO HOW THAT AID IS CALCULATED, WHICH, IF YOU SPENT TIME IN SCHOOLS OR WORKING IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, YOU KNOW IT'S A BIG MESS, A COMPLICATED SYSTEM AND USING DATA THAT IS 20 YEARS OLD FROM THE 2000 CENSUS.

THEY CHANGED THAT AND WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO CAPTURE WHAT DISTRICTS NEED THE MOST AID.

ONE THING I DON'T LIKE ARE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATIONS ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

WE HAD 10 YEARS OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT, PARTICULARLY NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS, THE RELIGIOUS NATURE, WERE FULFILLING STATE COMPETENCY AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT IMPLEMENTATION DELAYED SEVERAL MORE YEARS AND THAT WILL HURT KIDS.

>> THE EQUIVALENCY STANDARDS OF CURRICULUM ACROSS THE SCHOOLS?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD SAY IN ADDITION TO LUKE'S COMMENT IS THAT IF YOU STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THIS BUDGET AS A WHOLE, IT'S VERY MUCH A COMMONSENSE BUDGET.

THAT'S OR DEALING WITH THE KINDS OF ISSUES THAT ARE CONCERNING TO THE VOTERS, OF NEW YORK, IN ADDITION TO THE DAYCARES-- IN ADDITION TO THE EDUCATION.

IT'S PUTTING MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF TAXPAYERS.

IT'S NOT A LOT BUT ESSENTIALLY SENDING THE SIGNAL THAT GOVERNMENT IS THERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT STRUCK ME WERE SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TO PRISON REFORM.

THAT'S BEEN A HOT BUTTON ISSUE IN NEW YORK STATE AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THE REQUIREMENT THAT PRISON GUARDS NOT JUST WEAR BODY CAMERAS BUT THAT THEY HAVE THEM ON AT ALL TIMES WHILE THEY'RE ON DUTY.

THEN IN ADDITION TO THAT, I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF CLOSING MORE PRISONS BECAUSE CRIME IS DOWN AND THEN FINALLY, ENSURING THAT THERE ARE INSPECTIONS OF FACILITIES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, THEY GOT IT RIGHT IN TERMS OF THEIR FOCUS.

WHAT'S NOT THERE IS SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANTS.

WE DIDN'T SEE A RENEWAL OF THE $1 BILLION FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND THAT'S SENDING I THINK, ALSO A SIGNAL.

>> AARON, WE SAW A BILLION DOLLARS FOR A CLIMATE FUND.

>> WE SAW ONE BILLION FOR CLIMATE FUND BUT I WILL SAY I WAS PRETTY DISAPPOINTED AND IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT GOVERNOR HOCHUL HAS MOVED BACK FROM SOME OF HER PROMISES AND AGGRESSIVE ACTION ON THIS DEFINING CRISIS OF OUR TIME.

THERE IS A BILLION-DOLLAR IN THERE, THERE 250 MILLION GOING TO NEIGHBORHOOD HEATING NEW YORK CITIES SOME OF IT FOR SHOVEL READY PROJECTS AND WHAT YOU DON'T SEE IS THE SUPPORT FOR THE NEW YORK HEAT ACT TO MOVE AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS AND YOU DON'T SEE PROGRESS ON THE CAP AND INVEST SYSTEM PROMISED AND PROMISES AND IS BEING SLOW WALKED.

I AGREE WITH NINA THERE IS A COMMONSENSE ATTITUDE TOWARD THIS BUDGET BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS A MISREAD OF THIS PERSONALLY IS THAT SHE'S WALKING BACK FROM HER COMMITMENTS ON CLIMATE AND ULTIMATELY THAT'S GOING TO HURT OUR STATE'S ENERGY TRANSITION.

>> HE HAS POSITIONED HERSELF AS A MODERATE LOOKING AHEAD.

>> I THINK ON EDUCATION, THERE IS THE BELL TO BELL OF GETTING RID OF CELL PHONES.

I THINK WE ARE STARTING TO SEE IN THE COUNTRY GUARD RAILS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA AT THAT TIME WILL CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT PROBABLY 10, 20 YEARS AS WE ARE DOING THAT.

I LIKE THAT.

I LIKE THE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH, WHICH I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR KIDS.

WHAT YOU DON'T LIKE AND I DON'T SEE COMING IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PROBLEMS IN NEW YORK STATE IS HOUSING.

WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO BUILD MORE HOUSING OR WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOSE POPULATION.

RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING LOSE FOUR SEATS IN THE 2030 CENSUS AND UNTIL WE FIX HOUSING, THAT'S JUST GOING TO CONTINUE.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING MAJOR THAT'S IS GOING TO DO THAT, PARTICULARLY ZONING REFORM THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE BILL.

>> SHE HAS PROPOSED A WAY TO DEAL WITH HOUSING IN THE PAST, AND THE NIMBY ISSUE COMES UP.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT IT... >> LONG ISLAND NIMBY ISSUE.

IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME.

IF NEW YORK DOESN'T GET THIS RIGHT, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO HEMORRHAGE POPULATION.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY ON TOP OF THAT, ARE THE LOOMING FEDERAL CUTS TO SOCIAL SERVICES, WHICH I THINK ARE GOING TO HIT THE HOUSING INDUSTRY PARTICULARLY HARD.

WHAT I WOULD SAY THOUGH IN DEFENSE OF BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE IS THAT THEY DID GIVE THE GOVERNOR AUTHORITY TO MAKE OTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO SPENDING SHOULD THAT BECOME NECESSARY.

>> AND THAT'S WITH AN EYE ON THE FEDERAL BUDGET AND CHANGES TO MEDICAID AND THE WAY MEDICAID IS FUNDED, RIGHT?

WE PAY END UP HAVING TO SHOVEL A LOT MORE MONEY IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> AND AFFORDABILITY IS CLEARLY A FOCUS FOR HOCHUL AS SHE PURSUES REELECTION WHICH YOU LISTENS REFERENCED.

I DIDN'T THINK THE REBATE CHECKS WERE A GREAT IDEA.

THAT SEEMED KIND OF GIMMICKY TO ME.

A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS, HOW IS THAT GOING TO HELP PEOPLE LONG-TERM?

I DON'T SEE THAT MOVING THE NEEDLE.

I WOULD RATHER SEE MORE SUBSTANTIVE POLICY.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE BUDGET DONE.

IT USED TO BE CALLED THREE MEN IN A ROOM.

IT'S NOT CALLED THAT THREE MEN IN A ROOM ANYMORE BUT SEEMS TO BE THREE PEOPLE IN A ROOM.

>> I WOULD SAY ONE WOMAN IN A ROOM THIS TIME AROUND.

IT'S VERY MUCH EXECUTIVE CENTRIC BUDGET PROCESS IN THAT THE LEGISLATURE WANTS THE GOVERNOR AND HER PROPOSALS CAN ONLY MAKE SO MANY CHANGES BUT THE WORST PART IS THAT LAWMAKERS ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS TO POUR THROUGH HUNDREDS OF PAGES AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> WHAT ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

YOU ALLUDED OR YOU MENTIONED, NINA THE CHANGES IN THE PRISON SYSTEM, CORRECTIONS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME WAS CORRECTIONS OFFICERS NOW CAN BE 18 YEARS OLD, WHICH JUST SEEMS AWFULLY YOUNG TO BE IN THAT POSITION BUT THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES TO THE DISCOVERY PROCESS AS WELL.

AND THAT WAS A BIG DEAL FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> YEAH, IT WAS A BIG DEAL FOR THE GOVERNOR AND IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY TO HER PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET THAT WAS ADOPTED, YOU WOULD THINK SHE WON ON THAT.

BUT IN FACT, THERE WERE COMPROMISES BY WAY OF EXPANDING WHAT'S THE DEFINITION OF DUE DILL AGAINST,-- DILIGENCE MEANING IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR PROSECUTORS TO SAY WE DID DUE DILIGENCE TO TURN OVER THE INFORMATION BUT JUDGES CAN LOOK AT THAT AND SPECIFICALLY AT THE VOLUME OF EVIDENCE THAT MAY BE COMING LATER AND THEN POTENTIALLY START THE SPEEDY TRIAL CLOCK ALL OVER AGAIN.

>> TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS HAVE THAT SAME INFORMATION AND KNOW WHAT THE EVIDENCE IS.

>> AND ANNOUNCING BUSINESS DEALS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

SO TY, WHAT IS OUR OVERARCHING GOAL.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS ADMINISTRATION ON FOREIGN POLICY?

>> I THINK YOU SAID THERE IS NO WAY TO LINK ALL THAT IN 30 SECONDS.

HE IS A DISRUPTER.

SOME OF THE THINGS ARE TERRIBLE, THE IDEA THAT AMERICA IS LOSING ITS MORAL WAY GOING AFTER CANADA AND MEXICO AND OTHER PLACES.

MAKING NATO, THE GREATEST MILITARY ALLIANCE IN MILITARY HISTORY, GOING AWAY FROM THAT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME THINGS THAT ARE MORE POSITIVE.

I THINK THE IDEA THAT HE IS NOT MEETING WITH BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AS HE GOES TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND SAYING THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISRAELI POLICY AND AMERICAN POLICY IS GOOD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO COME WITH IRAN.

BUT WILL RAIN CONTINUE TO-- WILL IRAN CONTINUE TO GO WITH THE HOUTHIS.

AND HE IS DOING GOOD IN AFRICA.

RUBIO ORCHESTRATED A DEAL BETWEEN RWANDA AND THE DEMAND REPUBLIC OF-- THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT.

THERE ARE POSITIVES IN THERE BUT IT'S AMERICA'S MORAL CENTER, I THINK, THAT HAS TAKEN THE HIT.

>> THE IDEA OF BEING A DISRUPTER, I MEAN, WE HAVE SOMETIMES A CERTAIN STASIS IN OUR FOREIGN POLICY APPROACH AND HE IS CHANGING THINGS.

>> THIS IS WHAT I THINK HIS FOREIGN POLICY IS.

PEACE WITHOUT PRINCIPLES.

AND HERE'S WHAT I MEAN BY THAT.

>> PUT THAT ON A BUMPER STICKER.

>> HERE IS WHAT I MEAN BY THAT.

RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT STRATEGIC PEACE IN THE UNITED STATES BEST INTEREST.

IT'S PEACE FOR THE SAKE OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.

HE IS OUT THERE SEARCHING TO BE THIS GRAND INFLUENCER AND TO BE THE DISRUPTER THAT DOESN'T DO WHAT EVERYONE THINKS YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

HE WAS DESPERATE IN CASHMERE TO CLAIM CREDIT FOR THE WALKING BACK OF HOSTILITIES TO NUCLEAR ARMED POWERS STARTING TO GO AT IT IN A LONG RUNNING CONFLICT AND TRIED TO BASICALLY CLAIM BY A TRUTH SOCIAL POST THAT HE BROKERED THIS DEAL.

NOW HE IS SHAKING HEADS WITH AMET, THE PRESIDENT OF SYRIA AND FOR AL-QAEDA IN IRAQ.

HE IS SHAIBING HANDS WITH THEM, LIFTING SANCTIONS, TRYING TO SHOW THAT HE CAN DO THESE NEW AND NOVEL THINGS.

HE IS TRYING TO PUT IT OUT THERE SO THAT HE CAN LOOK GOOD AND WE HAVE NO WAY WHAT THIS ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IN TERMS OF FOREIGN POLICY AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT COUNTRIES LIKE RUSSIA ARE IN A POSITION TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF US WHEN WE DO THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I'M GOING TO COME AT THIS FROM A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, OKAY?

AND NOT TO SORT OF BE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE HERE BUT TO JUST SORT OF OFFER A DIFFERENT ANGLE, WHICH IS THAT NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER HAD A SINGULAR FOREIGN POLICY FOCUS; THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS MULTIPLE GOALS.

THERE IS THE, YOU KNOW, THE HUMANITARIAN INTEREST, THE NATIONAL SECURITY, THE PROMOTING DEMOCRACY, THE NATIONAL WELFARE AND PROSPERITY, AND SO IT'S A QUESTION OF TIME, PLACE AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT DICTATE WHAT SHOULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT.

NOW WHETHER OR NOT TRUMP SHOULD PRIORITIZE PROSPERITY, NOT SO MUCH PEACE, IS, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT I THINK HISTORY WILL JUDGE.

BUT WE ARE CLEAR THAT HIS OVERARCHING GOAL, HIS OVERARCHING FRAMEWORK IS TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND DOES THAT REALLY SURPRISE ANY OF US IN THAT WE HAVE HIRED A REAL ESTATE MOGUL TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

AND HE PRETTY MUCH SAID AS MUCH THROUGHOUT HIS SPEECHES.

JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE.

HE SAID HIS LOOK AT THE MIDDLE EAST RIGHT NOW IS TO FORGE A FUTURE WHERE THE MIDDLE EAST IS DEFINED BY COMMERCE, NOT CHAOS, IN TALKING ABOUT THE INDIA AND PAKISTAN CONFLICT.

HE SAID I TOLD THEM HEY, FOLKS, LET'S MAKE A DEAL.

SOUNDS LIKE DONALD TRUMP RIGHT?

AND THEN IN TERMS OF BOMBING THE HUTIS AND PULLING BACK ON THAT, IT'S ONLY WHERE AMERICAN COMMERCIAL SHIPS ARE CONCERNED, NOT OUR ALLIES.

AND NOT ISRAEL.

AND SO IT FITS WITH WHAT TRUMP IS WHO HE IS BUT ALSO THE PRESIDENT THAT WE COLLECTIVELY VOTED FOR.

>> AND HE IS IN THE MIDDLE EAST RIGHT NOW ANNOUNCING MANY DEALS.

>> AND HE TRAVELED WITH ALL THE COUNTRY'S MOST POWERFUL AND WEALTHY C.E.O.S, WHICH WAS QUITE EXTRAORDINARY.

SO I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

HE IS THINKING ABOUT THIS THROUGH A PERSPECTIVE OF HIS OWN EXPERIENCE, WHICH IS WHAT PRESIDENTS DO.

HE DOESN'T HAVE 20, 30 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO RELY ON WHERE HE HAS CARVED OUT POLICY AREAS THAT HE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT AND PRINCIPLES, TO AARON'S POINT.

INSTEAD HE IS THINKING ABOUT INVESTMENT, A LOT OF HIS FOREIGN POLICY TRIPS, I THINK, ARE ABOUT NETWORKING, RIGHT?

HE WILL TALK A BIG GAME WHEN IT COMES TO REASON AND OTHER COUNTRIES BUT HE WANTS TO GET IN THE ROOM WITH THE LEADERS.

GET TO KNOW THEM.

HE HAS NO PROBLEM DOING BUSINESS WITH RUSSIA AND SAUDI AND ADD ADD AND THESE-- SAUDI ARABIA AND THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

HIS LEGACY WILL BE DEFINED BY HIS TARIFFS.

THAT'S THE ONE CONSISTENT POLITICAL INFORMATION HE HAS HAD FOR 30 YEARS.

I DON'T SEE HIM CHANGING THAT AND I THINK HISTORY WILL REMEMBER THAT PART OF HIS PRESIDENCY IN TERMS OF FOREIGN POLICY THE MOST.

>> AND TARIFFS ARE FOREIGN POLICY.

IT IS CREATING PROBLEMS WITH OUR FOREIGN POLICY THAT WON'T GO AWAY ANY TIME SOON.

>> SPEAKING OF TARIFFS AND CHINA AND THERE HAVE BEEN BIG CHANGES THIS PAST WEEK, IS HE BACKING OFF?

IS THAT JUST ADJUSTING TO REAL POLICE DETECTIVES?

>> IT'S SO HIGH.

30% IS A CRAZY HIGH AMOUNT.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO-- MAYBE HE WILL GO LOWER.

THIS IS THE THING.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE A BUSINESS DECISION KNOWING THAT HE IS GOING TO CHANGE HIS MIND AND THERE IS NOBODY ELSE IN THE ROOM TO MAKE HIM CHANGE HIS MIND.

SO I THINK JUST THE UNCERTAINTY, DISRUPTER IS ONE THING.

CHAOS IS ANOTHER AND HE BRINGS KAY-- HE BRINGS CHAOS.

>> I WONDER WHETHER HE HAS A STRATEGY OR WHETHER IT'S JUST REACTING TO OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME UP.

>> YEAH, I THINK, AND AGAIN, GIVING THIS THE MOST SORT OF GENEROUS INTERPRETATION THAT I CAN, IS THAT HE SEEMS TO HAVE FINALLY SETTLED UPON SOMETHING LIKE A STRATEGY THAT CENTERED AROUND THE INTEREST OF HIS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

THERE WERE A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, FALSE STARTS, A LOT OF SPUTTERING AND FIGURING HIS WAY OUT BUT NOW HE SEEMS TO BE SETTLING IN.

I WILL SAY ONE OTHER THING THAT HE SETTLED IN ON AND THAT HE HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT IS THAT HIS VERSION OF AMERICA FIRST MEANS AMERICA WILL NO LONGER BE THE WORLD POLICE.

NOW WE'VE SEEN OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION.

HE HAS BEEN VERY EXPLICIT.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, HE HAS ALSO NOT BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS.

THERE IS NO TALK ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS EXCEPT FOR THE RIGHTS OF WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS AND ALSO VERY LITTLE CONCERN ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS AS HE IS BUDDYING UP TO SYRIA.

>> WE'LL WILL HAVE TO, IN ANOTHER PROGRAM, GET BACK TO THAT POINT ABOUT THE AFRIKANERS COMING TO THE U.S. AS REFUGEES.

RIGHT NOW TRUMP MAY NO LONGER BE THE WORLD'S MOST PROMINENT AMERICAN.

THAT DISTINCTION COULD NOW BELONG TO POPE LEO THE 14TH, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS BOB PREVOST FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.

THE "SECOND POPE FROM THE AMERICAS", AS THE VATICAN NEWS CALLED HIM, LEO SAYS HE'LL PURSUE THE REFORMS OF HIS PREDECESSOR POPE FRANCIS.

HIS SELECTION HAD LITTLE OR NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS NATIONALITY, BUT EVEN SO, HE LEADS WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION•.MIGHT THE CULTURAL WIND IN AMERICA SHIFTING JUST A BIT?

>> HERE'S WHAT IS KIND OF EXCITING, I THINK ABOUT POPE LEO FOR THE UNITED STATES, AND HE IS, YOU KNOW, HE IS POPE.

IN THE VAT KIN.

MOST-- HIVE VAT VATICAN, BUT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW, LOOK, HE IS FOCUSED ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND UPLIFTING THE POOR BASED ON HIS YEARS AND DECADES AND EXPERIENCE IN PERU.

HE IS FOCUSED ON LOVING EVERYONE, NOT CONCENTRIC CIRCLES OF LOVE AS J.D.

VANCE LIKES TO LAY OUT N. FACT THE NOW POPE TWEETED AGAINST J.D.

VANCE'S STANCE ON LOVING ONLY AMERICANS FIRST AND EVERYONE ELSE AFTER.

HE WANTS TO LOVE EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE WHITESOX APPARENTLY.

HE IS A MATH MAJOR FROMVILLE NOVA WHICH FOR ME AS A CELTICS FANS MEANS HE IS VOTING FOR THE KNICKS.

HE HAS CREOLE ROOTS.

BOTH OF HIS GRANDPARENTS WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

HAITI AND THE DOMINICAN.

HE REPRESENTS A REALLY GLOBAL WORLDLY, BUT ALSO DISTINCTLY AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE.

AND I THINK THE THING THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY NOW FOR THE UNITED STATES IS THAT HE GOING TO APPEAR TO BE A POPE OF CONTRADICTIONS IN OUR CURRENT POLITICS.

HE'S STAUNCHLY PRO-LIFE.

CONSERVATIVE VIEWS AND ESPOUSING THOSE FROM THE VATICAN BUT PROGRESSIVE ON MANY OTHERS.

HE STICKS TO PRINCIPLE WHICH RIGHT NOW AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH FOREIGN POLICY MIGHT BE A RELATIVELY UNIQUE THING COMING OUT FROM AN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE.

AND SO I THINK IT'S A REALLY HEALTHY THING FOR THIS COUNTRY RIGHT MOW TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO MAY NOT FIT NEATLY INTO OUR POLARIZED POLITICAL BOXES AND HAS A VERY BIG STAGE ON WHICH TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE WORLD.

>> THAT COULD BE BRIDGE BUILDING.

>> FOR SURE.

AND I THINK HE IS SUCH A CONTRAST.

HE COMES FROM AN AUGUSTINE ORDER AND HAS TO DEVOTE HIS WHOLE LIFE TO THE CHURCH.

HE HAS NO WEALTH, HE HAS NO PROPERTY.

THAT'S A REMARKABLE TYPE OF SERVICE TO CONTRAST PRESIDENT TRUMP AS WE TALKED ABOUT PREVIOUSLY.

I ALSO THINK HIS SELECTION IS THE RESULT OF POLITICS, RIGHT, HE WAS ABLE TO APPEAL TO MANY DIFFERENT FACTIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TERMS OF THOSE WANTING TO ERADICATE POVERTY, ADVOCATING FOR GLOBAL PEACE, THOSE WHO WANT A YOUNGER LEADER.

HE IS A RELATIVELY YOUNG POPE SO THEY CAN APPEAL TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

HE WAS ABLE TO CHECK ALL THOSE BOXES AND SYMBOLICALLY AND RHETORICALLY AS AARON REFERENCED, HE HAS BEEN GIVING NODS TO TO BOTH CONSERVATIVE CATHOLICS AND LIBERAL CONTEMPORARIES WHO WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND OTHER THINGS.

>> HE IS DEFEND IT INNEDLY GOING TO SPEAK AS A STRONGER MORAL AUTHORITY THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN AMERICAN POLITICS SEEM TO HAVE THE BACKBONE TO DO AT THIS POINT.

BUT WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE OUR VERY DIVISIVE POLITICS I'M NOT SO SURE BECAUSE I'M THINKING ABOUT THE CRITICISM THAT POPE FRANCIS TOOK BECAUSE OF HIS POSITION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, BECAUSE OF HIS POSITION ON IMMIGRATION AND INCOME INEQUALITY AND ALREADY WE ARE SEEING CONSERVATIVES JUST EXCORE YAIT POPE LEO THE 14th.

HE WAS QUOTED AS ANOTHER MARXIST PUPPET IN THE VATICAN AND STEVE BANNON PREDICTS THERE IS GOING TO BE FRICTION BETWEEN THIS NEW POPE AND ALSO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND I THINK PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE IN AMERICA, IT'S NOT SO MUCH THAT RELIGION LEADS POLITICS AS MUCH AS POLITICS LEADS RELIGION.

I MEAN AND WE'VE GOT A HISTORY OF THAT BEING THE CASE.

AND AS IT TURNS OUT, IN THE U.S., CATHOLICS LEAN REPUBLICAN.

NOW IF I COULD JUST SAY ONE OTHER POINT, I THINK THE WINDS ARE CHANGING.

SO THAT MORE AND MORE OF THE CATHOLIC POP SIGNIFICANTS-- POPULATION IS COMPOSED OF HISPANICS AND IMMIGRANTS AND PERHAPS THE DEMOGRAPHIC WINDS WILL CHANGE.

>> IT CAN BE A MORAL FORCE FOR BAD LIKE POPE PIUS DURING WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II WITH FASCISM OR IT COULD BE A POSITIVE LIKE JOHN PAUL II AND HELP END COMICH.

HAVING A MORAL FORCE THERE, PARTICULARLY SOMEONE LIKE LEO, WHO TOOK HIS NAME FROM A POPE WHO TRIED TO STRADDLE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARXISM AND THE WORKERS RIGHTS AND LAISSEZ-FAIRE CAPITALISM MEANS THAT WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT CAN BE A MORAL FORCE.

THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE WORLD.

AND TO HAVE IT AS AN AMERICAN MAKES ME PROUD EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT CATHOLIC, TO HAVE SOMEONE THERE WHO IS GOING TO BE A MORAL FORCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN MANY WAYS THAT SPEAKS TO US AS AMERICANS AND TO THE WORLD.

>> LET'S COMBINE WITH OUR AS AND FS NINA.

>> NEARLY 278 MILLION PEOPLE ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT, WHICH IS ABOUT ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE THERE ARE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HUNGER OR STARVATION.

A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR IS ARMED CONFLICT, BUT ALSO DROUGHT, FLOODS, POVERTY, POPULATION DENSITY.

UNLESS THE REST OF THE WORLD PAYS ATTENTION AND DOES SOMETHING, IT'S PROJECTED TO GET WORSE AND TO DOUBLE BY THE YEAR 2030.

>> TY.

>> MY F TO THE QATARI-TRUMP DEAL TO GIVE THE UNITED STATES A BOEING 747 FOR TRUMP'S PERSONAL USE.

THIS BEGS A DESCRIPTION THAT WOULD EMBARRASS ANY DICTATOR BUT TRUMP'S AVARICE, ON AMERICA'S REPUTATION HAS NO LIMITS AND THE GRIFT HAS TURNED INTO A DRIPPING FUNNEL INTO A GAPING MALL.

>> AARON.

>> SO MY F GOES TO THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE FOR CONTINUING TO REFUSE TO LET THE HAD YOU HAD SHOWN'-- HAWED, THE NATIONALS AN IJ DISIJ LEWIS LACROSSE TEAM THAT REPRESENT THE CONFEDERACY HERE IN NEW YORK.

THEY'RE CURRENTLY RANKED THIRD IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION, COMPETING IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR YEARS BUT STILL BEING BANNED FROM THE OLYMPICS DESPITE ENTREATIES FROM THE UNITED STATES AND THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TO LET THEM IN.

DO BETTER.

>> MY F GOES TO THE NEW YORK CITY PRISON SYSTEM.

THIS WEEK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TOOK CONTROL OF RIKERS ISLAND AFTER YEARS OF MISMANAGEMENT AND VIOLATION OF INMATES CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

>> AND NOW TO OUR AS.

NINA.

>> OKAY.

I AM NOT CATHOLIC BUT I AM VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THE NEW POPE IS FROM MY HOMETOWN, CHICAGO AND WITH THAT, I BELIEVE HE DESERVES THE VERY GREATEST OF CHICAGO INTRODUCTIONS, DRUM ROLL, PLEASE.

>> DRUM ROLL FOR THE POPE FROM CHICAGO.

AND TY.

>> MY A GOES TO BURKE LIBRARY AND THE STAFF IN HAMILTON COLLEGE.

LIBRARIES WITH LABORATORY OF HISTORY, THEY'RE ALSO THE CUTTING EDGE OF TECH.

I NEEDED 18th CENTURY DUELING PISTOL FOR A CLASS AND THEY MADE THEM OUT OF 3D PRINTERS IN BLUFF AND BLUE, OUR COLORS.

I WANTED CHAT BOTS OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS AND I FINISHED USE IS THEM.

LIBRARIES EVERYWHERE ARE A GREAT RESOURCE.

>> I SPENT HOURS IN THAT LIBRARY.

>> MY A GOES TO THE MOHAWK VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

THEIR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCY WITHIN THE MOHAWK VALLEY.

THE WORKERS DO AN INCREDIBLE JOB WORKING WITH MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES TO CHANNEL STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT MONEY TO PROMOTE BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

I HAVE WORK DIRECTLY WITH A LOT OF THERE STAFF TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES BETTER PREPARED FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND THEY DO AN INCREDIBLE JOB.

>> LUKE.

>> MY A GOES TO ALL OF OUR COLLEGE GRADUATES THIS SPRING AND THEIR FAMILIES.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS TREMENDOUS AND LIFE CHANGING ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> TERRIFIC.

WE SHOULD ALL CONGRATULATE THOSE GRADUATES, A LOT OF HARD WORK LIKE WE USED TO DO IN THE BURKE LIBRARY.

THE POPE FROM CHICAGO APPARENTLY NOW THE HOTTEST TEAM IN AMERICA IS GROWING TO BE THE CHICAGO WHITESOX.

HE IS A FAN-- I CHECKED THE RECORD.

>> THAT WILL TAKE A LOT OF PRAYER.

>> 12 LF 29 BUT, YOU KNOW, A MIRACLE COULD BE IN THE OFFING.

>> YES.

>> NOW THERE IS ONE FINAL NOTE ON SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS US ALL.

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I'M DAVID CHANATRY, FOR ALL OF US AT IVORY TOWER, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.