Tonight:

We'll talk briefly about part II of today's Senate hearings with The Big Three automakers and then we're covering a story that's made us feel all warm and happy about the holiday season... Yes, I might be an atheist but I do look forward to Christmas, and I was struck by this fact, the Episcopalians are fighting, for real this time: According to to the NYT today, "Conservatives alienated from the Episcopal Church announced on Wednesday that they were founding their own rival denomination, the biggest challenge yet to the authority of the Episcopal Church since it ordained an openly gay bishop five years ago." I'll be speaking with Bishops John-David Schofield and Jerry Lamb, both from the same region in California, both on very different sides of this issue. What is so important to them, that it's driven them to split apart?

And later, your calls.

866 – 303 – 2270 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL-IN FOR YOU LISTENERS OUT THERE.

Tonight:

In these harsh economic times, we're looking at the cost of healthcare when you're really ill. Gardiner Harris, Public Health reporter for The New York Times, joins me on the line from DC to talk about his latest article. Followed by Dr. Oliver Fein, President of Physicians for a National Health Program (an organization of 15,000 doctors who support single-payer national health insurance as the solution to our country’s health care woes) -- Fein is also professor of Clinical Medicine and Clinical Public Health at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and will share a physician's perspective on these issues: If it's the case that our insurance companies “triage” the sick, what will happen when/if the US adopts universal healthcare? Why are some drugs prohibitively expensive? Why is Viagra so cheap while life-saving drugs are so costly?

And later, your calls.

866 – 303 – 2270 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL-IN FOR YOU LISTENERS OUT THERE.

Tonight:

Automakers submitted their turnaround plans to Congress today with hopes of a bailout. Tonight's topic - might a Big Three merger be a good plan? That's Douglas McIntyre's idea and I'll take it up with him. McIntyre's Editor of 24/7 Wall St, covering financial news.

And, your excellent calls

866 – 303 – 2270 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL-IN FOR YOU LISTENERS OUT THERE.

Tonight:

The latest on our economy, and our outgoing presidente's latest musings, and what to hanker for this holiday season, followed by:

how Obama's cabinet is shaping up, in terms of foreign policy and diplomacy: Lawrence J. Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and Senior Advisor to the Center for Defense Information at the Center of American Progress

and who probably conducted the Mumbai attacks last week: Paul Cruickshank, Fellow at the NYU Center on Law and Security and the author of "Al Qaeda: The Current Threat," published this past October by Pocket Issue.

& your calls.

866 – 303 – 2270 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL-IN FOR YOU LISTENERS OUT THERE.

Tonight: David Bender hosts the show, talking about the tragedy in Mumbai, India and later with Gov. Don Siegelman about his legal travails and his hopes for the new, post-Bush Justice Department. Visit contemptforrove.com to learn more about his case.

Thanksgiving: have a laugh with my pal and Simpson's funny man, Harry Shearer. And later, filmmaker Eugene Jarecki will tell you why he thinks Americans love war

Friday: Scientist Irene Pepperberg is back with her amazing insights into the animal mind

And I'll be here to talk with you Monday, a few pounds heavier and well-rested, for sure.

Have a great Thanksgiving!