Robert G. Kaiser has been following Beltway politics for THE WASHINGTON POST for nearly 50 years. This week on the Journal, Bill Moyers talks with Kaiser about his new book, SO DAMN MUCH MONEY: THE TRIUMPH OF lOBBYING AND THE CORROSION OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. And, Bill Moyers sits down with Parker J. Palmer, founder and senior partner of the Center for Courage and Renewal, for a conversation about maintaining spiritual wholeness even as the economy and political order seem to come apart. Also, in an essay, Bill Moyers reflects on President Obama's recent announcement that he will send more troops to Afghanistan.

Former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), MIT Sloan School of Management professor and senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Simon Johnson examines President Obama's plan for economic recovery. And, Bill Moyers sits down with renowned poet Nikki Giovanni, whose 27 books have spanned the themes of race, politics, sex and violence.

As Abraham lincoln's bicentennial birthday approaches, Bill Moyers sits down with historian and lincoln biographer Eric Foner to discuss the legacy and the legend of America's most studied president. Having just received Illinois' highest honor, the Order of lincoln, Eric Foner is author of Our lincoln: New Perspectives on lincoln and his World and speaks to Moyers about the evolution of lincoln's image from politician to icon. And, news and analysis of this week's events with NYU journalism professor and PressThink blogger Jay Rosen and political journalist and Salon.com blogger Glenn Greenwald.

On the heels of the American drone attacks on suspected terrorist compounds in Pakistan, Bill Moyers Journal takes a closer look at America's history of and current policy on bombing, explores the ethics behind these assaults when civilians become the victims and asks: Does bombing work? Bill Moyers sits down with historian Marilyn Young, author of the forthcoming Bombing Civilians: A Twentieth Century History and former Pentagon official Pierre Sprey, who developed military planes and helped found the military reform movement. And, with state budgets strapped, President Obama's proposed economic stimulus plan directs funds to educational institutions. Bill Moyers talks with Carnegie Corporation president Vartan Gregorian on the future of public higher education and its role in our democracy.

America saw an historic moment with the inauguration of President Obama, but was it a progressive landmark? Bill Moyers sits down with Columbia law professor and Nation columnist Patricia Williams and Princeton politics and African American studies professor Melissa Harris-lacewell about the significance of this milestone and what it means for the future. Then, political columnist and blogger David Sirota and Wall Street Journal columnist Thomas Frank talk with Bill Moyers about the expectations of this administration and what must be accomplished for Obama to be considered a progressive President.

Bill Moyers speaks with historian Simon Schama, who spent months traveling across America in the run-up to an historic election to discover what events in our nation's past can tell us about how we live today and what's in store for the future. Then, find out more about the Born Again American film and project - and get back to basics by reviewing America's founding documents. And, Bill Moyers responds to viewer feedback about Gaza.

Bill Moyers sits down with United Steelworkers' International President leo Gerard to discuss seeking economic justice for workers in the middle of an economic crisis and how he sees the future of American manufacturing. Gerard shares his thoughts on how unions will fare under the Obama administration, what kind of stimulus might be needed and what the future of American industry might look like. And, get an update on the SEATTlE TIMES reporters who uncovered how members of Congress had awarded federal dollars for questionable purposes to companies in local Congressional districts - often to companies whose executives, employees or PACs have made campaign contributions to their legislators. Plus, Bill Moyers reflects on recent violence in the Middle East.

He's played heroes, villains, saints, sinners, a ballet-dancing elephant, and a space alien, now actor and children's author John lithgow - best known as Dick Solomon from NBC's hit show 3rd Rock from the Sun - reveals a new side of himself... poetry lover. The award-winning stage and screen star lithgow shares his favorite poems, insights into acting, and thoughts on the enduring power of art. lithgow currently stars in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons. He has penned several children's books, as well as compiled poems for The Poets' Corner: The One-And-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family.

As a new administration is set to take over in the White House, Bill Moyers checks in with author Sarah Chayes on the state of affairs in America's other war in Afghanistan. An author and former journalist, Chayes has lived the last 7 years in Afghanistan helping to rebuild the country. Then, as 43 states face budget shortfalls, New York Governor David Paterson talks with Bill Moyers about how states are dealing with the economic crisis. And, the Journal and ExposE: America's Investigative Reports examine a whistleblower's tale of military housing contracts gone awry.

Bill Moyers sits down with political commentator and Salon.com blogger Glenn Greenwald who asks: Are we a nation ruled by men or by laws? A former constitutional and civil rights lawyer, Greenwald looks at the legacy of the Bush Administration, the prospects for a restoration of the rule of law, as well as the possibilities for government accountability. And, Georgetown University's legal and finance scholar Emma Coleman Jordan takes Bill Moyers through recent news on the bailouts as big business begs for more.