CBS News
Transcript: Rep. Jim Himes on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Sept. 8, 2024
The following is a transcript of an interview with Rep. Jim Himes, Democrat of Connecticut, on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that aired on Sept. 8, 2024.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Joining us now is the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, Democrat Jim Himes of Connecticut. Congressman, good morning to you.
REP. JIM HIMES (D-CT): Thanks for having me, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: A lot I want to get to with you, but I did want to offer you a chance to respond, if you care to, to Congressman McCaul. I know you and most Democrats supported President Biden’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, although I think you’d agree the exit was one of the darkest days of- of his presidency to date. What do you make of the Republican argument that this reflects on Vice President Harris’s abilities to serve as commander-in-chief?
REP. HIMES: Well, you’re right, Margaret, when you say that that was a very dark day. Any time we lose service members, it’s a very dark day, and the 13 that we lost at Abbey Gate are- are rightly remembered. And you know how you remember them best? You remember, as you pointed out in your interview with- with Chairman McCaul, that there were also almost 2500 others killed in Afghanistan over a 20 year period. What Chairman McCaul is going to offer to the American people, though, is, and- and you said it right. It’s going to be about Vice President Harris. It is a politicized, cherry picked report designed to do one thing, not shed light on a tragedy, which, by the way, I would support 100%. And- and by the way, let’s also look at the 20 years and the four presidents that doubled down on Afghanistan policy. It is going to be a nakedly partisan campaign thing. Chairman McCaul said it at the end there. You know- what- the military issues that he was raising? You know, he didn’t mention the fact that- when he said that President Biden came with an agenda to withdraw from Afghanistan, President Biden did not come with an agenda. He came with a binding agreement negotiated by President Trump, who also released 5000 Taliban. And by the way- and here’s the key point that didn’t come up, who also left President Biden with 2500 troops in Afghanistan. Margaret, when we were attacked on January 6, on the Capitol, in the days after we had more than 2500 National Guardsmen guarding the Capitol. That’s the tools, and that’s the agreement that Donald Trump left President Biden with.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And there were thousands more NATO troops as well. So the 2500 is a little bit misleading, but let’s put that aside, just to honor our allies there. And I’m sure, surely you know about. I want to ask you about the ISIS threat. On Friday, it was disclosed that a 20-year-old ISIS supporter was apprehended 12 miles from the U.S.-Canada border. The FBI said the individual was a Pakistani citizen residing in Canada who was planning a mass shooting attack in New York City on or around October 7 to kill as many Jews as possible. Do you have any insight into whether this individual was self radicalized? Was he directed? What is the threat picture here?
REP. HIMES: Yeah, you know, we’ve been out of session for some time, so it’s been a little while since I’ve had a classified briefing. So I probably can’t specifically answer the question about that individual. What I can tell you is two things. Number one, ISIS is dedicated, as is, by the way, Iran and any number of other groups, to trying to strike the United States. That is a fact, and that is why it is so important the- the work of the intelligence community and the FBI to stop that stuff. And they’re pretty good at that. You saw the arrests, of course, of the eight people who were affiliated with- with terrorist groups. They’re very good at what they do. It’s very hard for them to be perfect, but it’s also important that we not over exaggerate the threat here. We have come a very long way, I’m actually just back from a 9/11 ceremony on the 23rd anniversary celebrating- or memorializing that hideous attack. The intelligence community, the military, the FBI, have come a long way since 9/11 and as a consequence, we learn about these things, and hopefully we’ll be in a position to obstruct as many of them as possible.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Fair point. I want to switch gears if I can. And you are right to remind us all that we are coming up on that 9/11 anniversary, a memorial to all of those. On the question of election interference, we got these disclosures from the intelligence community this week and the Justice Department. This was a sophisticated scheme to interfere in the election by setting up fake news sites, paying $10 million to a Tennessee based company to launder Moscow’s propaganda. They use podcasters, they use well known personalities on YouTube to trick American voters in swing states, according to the DOJ. How effective has this campaign been?
REP. HIMES: Well, that’s a really hard question to answer Margaret, because that gets into the question of, you know, gosh, are these crazy right wing websites and right wing journalists who, evidently, their money came from Russia, are they actually having an im- an impact on the election? It’s sort of hard to believe in a 50/50 election that’s going to be played out in sort of four or five states, that it’s not going to have some impact on the margin, which is why two things are really important. Number one, back to the FBI, back to our intelligence community. They need to double down on identifying, naming and shaming those countries that are doing this. And Chairman McCaul was right. It’s primarily Russia, Russia has really pulled out all the stops, but it’s also China. It’s also Iran. There’s even some other countries that are thinking about it. But Margaret, I feel very passionately about this. They can only succeed if American citizens hand over their autonomy, their sovereignty, their critical thinking abilities, to the Russians or to the Chinese. And so what I always tell my constituents, if you’re looking at some random social media site and you are getting hotter and hotter and angrier and angrier, and people who disagree with you are not just the opposition, but they’re traitors? You know what you’re doing, you are being manipulated. And it may just be by Facebook’s algorithms, but there’s some chance it might actually be the Kremlin or the Chinese or the Iranians who are manipulating you. And if you’re going to be manipulated that easily, guess what? This country is going to get the democracy that we deserve.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Vladimir Putin publicly said he was endorsing Vice President Harris this past week. U.S. intelligence, though, assesses that it is Donald Trump that is, in fact, Moscow’s preferred candidate. Do you know whether Putin is directing this particular campaign?
REP. HIMES: Well, I will tell you that super sensitive things like meddling in U.S. elections, you know, the nature of the Kremlin and of Putin and of his autocracy, nothing serious happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin signing off on it. So precisely how he- involved he is, is an open question, but believe me, yes. He would- and look, you know, the whole, you know, I’m endorsing Harris thing, all you need to do is listen to the way the two candidates talk about Russia and Ukraine, and you can develop a pretty independent sense of what Putin would like to see happen on election day.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You said earlier this week that banks are required to research their clients, when you were being asked about this case of a Tennessee based company that CBS is reporting is- is Tenet Media, that was being manipulated by the Russians. What is the principle you’re asking to be applied here?
REP. HIMES: Well, I guess, and- and I’m not talking about legal compulsion necessarily here, although banks are required to know their customers, it’s nice to imagine that, you know, massive social media platforms, or massive media platforms like Tenet might actually do a little research to try to figure out where their money is coming from. Frankly, the people who look at their media have a right to know where that money comes from. So, you know, at a minimum, check this stuff out, because you may not want to be complicit in a Kremlin operation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Congressman Himes, thank you for your insight. We’ll be right back.
Epson
The latest photo scanners transform your favorite memories into high-resolution digital images that can be archived or shared online. Some of these scanners accommodate a wide range of print, slide and negative sizes and create digital files in your choice of format. If you have old photo albums you want to digitize, prints you’d like to share on social media, or images you want to securely store in the cloud, one of these photo scanners can handle the job. And these scanners will work beautifully with your Windows or Mac desktop or laptop computer.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to scan photos simply to share online via email or social media, the scanner’s resolution isn’t too important. However, if you’re scanning photos for archival purposes, you want to scan those prints in the highest resolution possible, so seek out a scanner than can accommodate this.
The best photos scanners for digitizing your prints
Our in-house tech experts have curated this roundup of the best photo scanners currently available. Some offer a compact design, while others can help you scan large quantities of images quickly, especially if the prints are all the same size.
So, whether you’re looking to create a digital backup or archive of your most cherished printed photos, want to be able to create larger prints from digital image files, or share the scanned images online, a photo scanner is what you need. For photos, these stand-alone scanners work far better than scanner apps available for smartphones. And in many cases, they offer higher resolution and more options for scanning photos than the scanners built into the latest all-in-one printers.
Best photo scanner: Epson FastFoto FF-680W
Amazon
For amateur, semi-pro and professional photographers alike, the Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a high-end, dedicated photo scanner that can process prints at up to 1,200 by 1,200 dpi. The built-in document feeder can hold up to 36 prints and then scan one image per second at 300 dpi. When set at a higher resolution, the scanner functions a bit slower.
Use the FF-680W to scan prints of almost any size, like Polaroid photos, panoramas, postcard-size images or anything up to 8 by 10 inches. The scanner comes with the free Perfect Picture Imaging software. It allows you to quickly edit and enhance scanned images and handle tasks like restoring color to old photos or fixing red-eye.
Use the Epson ScanSmart software (also included), to scan and store traditional documents, too. Documents can be up to 8.5 by 24 inches and the software’s OCR feature can transform scanned text into editable documents.
Photos or documents scanned by the FF-680W can be stored locally or automatically uploaded to the cloud. The scanner supports Dropbox and Google Drive. Use a USB cable or a wireless connection between the scanner and your computer.
Best budget photo scanner: Canon CanoScan LiDE 300 Slim
Amazon
This is a dedicated, flat-bed scanner that connects to a Windows or Mac computer via a USB cable. It’s then able to scan photos or documents, one at a time, at up to 2,400 by 2,400 dots per inch. The unit measures 14.5 by 9.9 by 1.7 inches and weighs just 3.6 pounds, so you can set it up when it’s needed, but easily store it away when it’s not being used.
The scanner’s Z-lid can be elevated parallel up to 21 millimeters from the platen surface, making quality scans possible when working with photo albums, bulky books, magazines or document stacks. The scanner is able to scan a single photo or document at 300 dpi, that’s up to 8.5 by 11 inches, in under 10 seconds.
For photos, the 300 Slim is a basic, budget-friendly scanner that’s great for occasional use, especially if you’re working with larger size prints.
Best flatbed photo scanner: Epson Perfection V850 Pro
Amazon
Designed more for semi- and pro-level photographers, but usable by anyone, the V850 Pro is a desktop photo scanner that offers up to 6,400 by 6,400 dots-per-inch resolution. This means you can create extremely high-resolution digital images from your photo prints that are up to 8.5 by 11.7 inches.
During the scanning process, the software that comes with the scanner will automatically remove dust and scratches as it scans. Another key feature is that the scanner can also digitize one or more 35mm slides or negatives at the same time.
The V850 works with either a Windows or MacOS computer via a USB cable connection. Between the scanner itself and the supplied Epson scanning software, you’ll wind up with high-resolution scans that showcase impressive shadow detail and smooth gradations within each digital image.
Best photo scanner for prints, slides and negatives: ClearClick QuickConvert 2.0
Amazon
If you have a collection of 4-by-6 inch prints, 35mm slides or negatives from 35mm, 110 or 126 film, the QuickConvert 2.0 photo scanner creates digital images from that content with no computer needed during the scanning process.
The unit is able to scan photos at up to 7,200 by 7,200 dots per inch. The unit measures just 8 by 7 by 6 inches, so it’s easy to set up almost anywhere. Since the scanner does not have an auto-feeder, you need to feed one image or negative at a time to be scanned, but the scanning process takes less than three seconds per image.
As photos are scanned, they’re stored on an SD memory card, while can be removed from the scanner and inserted into the memory card slot of your computer when you want to work with the images or upload them to the cloud for storage. Keep in mind, this scanner works with 4-by- 6 inch prints (as well as slides and negatives), but not 5-by-7 inch prints.
The built in, five inch display shows you exactly what will be scanned, before the scanning process begins. The unit runs on a rechargeable battery. A 32GB SD memory card that can hold up to 8,000 scanned images is included.
Best high-resolution photo scanner: Canon CanoScan CS9000F Mark II
Amazon
This dedicated flatbed photo scanner from Canon offers 9,600 by 9,600 dots per inch resolution for film, or 4,800 by 4,800 dots per inch resolution for printed photos and documents. It’s compatible with Windows PCs only and connects to a computer using a USB cable. Based on almost 1,000 user reviews on Amazon, the CS9000F Mark II has earned a 4.4-star rating out of five.
It takes this scanner about 18 seconds to scan a 35mm negative at 1,200 dots-per-inch resolution, or just seven seconds to scan a photo at 300 dots-per-inch resolution. In addition to prints and slides, the scanner works with a variety of negative formats. During the scanning process, dust and scratches are automatically removed and the scanner compensates for image fading.
Scanned images can be stored on your computer or uploaded directly to your Dropbox account. One thing we like about this scanner is that it delivers detailed digital images that are ideal for enlargement and high resolution printing, while 48-bit color depth ensures accurate color reproduction. The scanner comes with the My Image Garden and Scanning Utility software that allows for easy, one-touch operation.
CBS News
A metal detectorist inspired by Indiana Jones discovered a hoard of ancient coins. They just sold for $176,000.
A British man who found a massive cache of ancient Roman gold and silver coins while hunting with a metal detector has a lot more modern currency in his pocket after the treasure was auctioned off for $176,000.
George Ridgway, a trained archaeologist, investigated an unusual marking in a recently harvested field in Suffolk, England in September 2019, according to a news release from Noonans Auctions. He knew that a Roman road had once run close to the field, and thought there might be something to find.
Hours scouring the area turned up nothing, he said, but when he shifted his position by just 30 yards, he found two Roman brooches that dated back to the 1st century. Shortly after, he found a silver coin issued by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. Another three hours of searching turned up 160 more silver coins and some pottery fragments.
Noonans Auctions
“I knew I had made an important archaeological discovery and called my dad to guard the site overnight while we waited for an archaeological team to arrive and excavate the site,” the 34-year-old said. “It took three months to recover the hoard.”
During that excavation, researchers found even more coins, including gold pieces. In total, 748 coins, dated from as early as 206 B.C., were recovered. Alice Cullen, a coin specialist at the auction house, said it was one of the largest hoards of Iron Age and Roman coins found in the United Kingdom. The coins may have been buried by a long-serving soldier in Rome’s XX Legion, who were once stationed in what would later be known as Colchester, England, Cullen said. There was a “fierce battle” in the area around 47 A.D., Cullen said, and a victim of the conflict may have been the person who buried the coins.
Sixty-three of the coins were claimed by the British Museum and the Colchester & Ipswich Museum, to be displayed in their collections, and the rest were auctioned. While the auction house expected the sale to garner about $100,000, it actually brought in more than $176,000, according to CBS News partner the BBC.
Noonans Auctions
A coin issued by Gaius Caesar – also known as Caligula – decorated with a portrait of the Empress Agrippina and dated to A.D. 37-38 sold for about $9,295, according to the BBC. Another coin, issued by Claudius and dated to A.D. 41-42, sold for about $6,640.
Ridgway said the proceeds of the sale will be split between himself and the landowner of the site where the coins were found. He said that such a find has been like a dream come true.
“I was inspired by my childhood hero Indiana Jones to start history hunting when I was 4 years old, and I dreamed of finding a Roman hoard since my grandmother bought me a metal detector for my 12th birthday,” Ridgway said. “It was an awe-inspiring moment when I realised that I had found one!”
Noonans Auctions
CBS News
YouTube star MrBeast sued by contestants, claiming “toxic and hostile” environment and unfair wages
One of the world’s best-known online personalities is facing a lawsuit.
Jimmy Donaldson, better known as “MrBeast,” is a 26-year-old YouTube star with more than 300 million subscribers. He’s built an empire offering huge prizes to viewers on his videos.
The proposed class action lawsuit accuses MrBeast’s production company and Amazon Studios of “chronic mistreatment” and sexual harassment of contestants in an upcoming reality show. The plaintiffs also claim to be considered employees, not contestants, and dispute wages in the lawsuit.
Legal battle details
Five unnamed contestants in the upcoming Amazon reality show “Beast Games” are alleging MrBeast’s production company and Amazon Studios created a “toxic and hostile” environment, that “laid the groundwork” for sexual harassment, according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs cite an alleged production guide called “How to succeed in MrBeast Production,” which they say encourages obscenities and directs staff to “do everything” to “help” the talent “be idiots.”
The contestants also claim they were forced to endure “unsafe” conditions with a lack of access to medical care, food and water, and say they weren’t paid a fair wage.
“You can call them whatever you want to, but if they meet the definition of an employee, it doesn’t matter what you title them,” Lizelle Brandt, the plaintiffs’ attorney, said. “Our argument is that they are employees under California law.”
Amazon Studios and MrBeast’s production company declined to comment.
“The hope, dream and expectation that you will get a payment is not the same thing as being an employee,” said CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson. “There’s a real legal battle here that the plaintiffs will have to convince a judge that this group who signed on to be part of a show should be considered as employees, not contestants.”
Previous allegations
The accusations come after YouTuber Jake Weddle, who claims to be a former MrBeast employee, alleged mental abuse during a 100-day isolation challenge.
“It got to the point where they weren’t turning the lights off,” Weddle said. “You know I asked them. I said, ‘Could we have like nighttime hours, you know?’ They said ‘No.'”
Donaldson, 26, has previously faced allegations of racism and inappropriate comments.
“When Jimmy was a teenager he acted like many kids and used inappropriate language while trying to be funny,” a spokesperson for the YouTuber said in a statement to The Associated Press when the allegations surfaced. “Over the years, he has repeatedly apologized and has learned that increasing influence comes with increased responsibility to be more aware and more sensitive to the power of language. After making some bad jokes and other mistakes when he was younger, as an adult he has focused on engaging with the MrBeast community to work together on making a positive impact around the world.”
The 5 best photo scanners in 2024: Save your favorite prints, share in a snap
A metal detectorist inspired by Indiana Jones discovered a hoard of ancient coins. They just sold for $176,000.
YouTube star MrBeast sued by contestants, claiming “toxic and hostile” environment and unfair wages
The 5 best photo scanners in 2024: Save your favorite prints, share in a snap
A metal detectorist inspired by Indiana Jones discovered a hoard of ancient coins. They just sold for $176,000.