Face The Nation: Real World CBS

Earlier in the week we had a chance to see a live web cast (Washington Unplugged) in the control room of the CBS Washington Bureau. Today we had a chance to see the real deal—Face the Nation. The most compelling aspects of the morning were not the live broadcast, interviews and discussion, but what occurred behind the scenes and preceding live air time.
I was impressed by Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) quick back-and-forth discussion before the show with author Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea, Stones Into Schools) about the concepts of Islamic and regional justice systems within Afghanistan, tribalism and the basic needs of regional governance and structure within Afghanistan. Although these men had never met, there was instant connection, further initiated by Sen. Graham’s offer to have coffee or lunch with Mortenson to further discuss very specific aspects of Afghan issues.
As Mr. Schieffer noted that his wife felt nervous in control rooms, it became obvious that there was a certain aspect of addiction to the impromptu and chaotic nature of this business. Mr. Schieffer said he secretly wished things would go wrong on the set, even if it was just a way to prepare him for when things did go awry— but why? Because, as Mr. Schieffer put it, he and his colleagues are paid to fly the plane when the wing falls off, and he likes to demonstrate that. Things did go wrong on the set of Face the Nation, behind the scenes obscenities were heard, certain pieces were adjusted timing wise and everything ended up just find; it was clear that the calm after the storm was more rewarding as opposed to there being no storm at all.
Mortenson proved to be a fascinating individual, especially in meeting with him on the set after the show. He truly understands the complexity of tribal and Islamic cultural relativism, the importance of how tribalism has been infused within every aspect of Afghan life and how he can use this delicate system to capitalize on the building of relationships and hospitality once he has gained credibility and trust within certain villages and communities. It sounds similar to having a beat well covered in my eyes…
It is not small feat to pacify the Taliban, especially when it comes to education, but Mortenson figured out the generational discrepancies between the founders of the Taliban and their more gang-like grandchildren. He is more an expert on what needs to be done to truly defeat extremist ideology, which would seem to include the empowerment and improvement of the lives of Afghans at the most basic levels of education, health care and infrastructure.
If there was regret to the day, it would be not following Mr. Schieffer’s advice when speaking with Mortenson: “Is there any question that I should have asked that I have not?”