. >>> he is the architect of the controversial plan to balalance america's budget, cut debt, and raise taxes. my conversation with alan simpson. >>> one on one with basketball legend kareem abdul-jabbar. the secret of his sky hook and a lot re. "the wall street journal report" begins right now. >>his is america's number one financial news progm. "the wall street journal report." now, maria bartiromo. >> here's a look at what's making news. america's economy slowed to the weakst pace of growth in about a year. the gdp for the second quarter coming in at an annualized rate of 1.5%, slightly better than economists' expectations actually. but about half of what it had been late last year. consumer spending was weak, helpg push the numbedown. the economy has grown, however, for straight ququarters. >>> the head of the ropean central bank vowed to save the eurozone from collapse and said it will do what is needed to support the currency. the e comments coming from mari droghy in a speech from london. >> we meet our mandate, ecb is ready to do whatatever it takeso preserve the euro. >> those