On Demand
The Scrapbook
Photos and Miscellany from The Brian Lehrer Show
More People Pushing Newspapers On You In The Subway?
July 29, 2005
Brit Gazillionaire Richard Branson ("the Rebel Billionaire") considers starting a free daily in New York.
Let's see...he runs a media business, loves flying planes, hangs out on an exclusive island. Can a run for mayor be far behind?
The unofficial blog of Richard Branson
Posted by leboheme at 10:29 AM
Fair Hearing For Judge Tort Blossom
July 29, 2005
Check out the results of Slate's John Roberts Nickname Contest.
Fair Hearing for Judge Roberts [email from Ken Mehlman]
Posted by leboheme at 09:33 AM
Feedback: Price Gouging
July 28, 2005
Subject: icee price gouging!!
An illustration of the current discussion:
I live and work in Washington Heights, and last week, on one of the hottest days so far this summer, I thought I'd treat myself to an icee on my way back to the office from lunch. A woman I work with had casually mentioned that there was a new cart outside of one of the local restaurants, but that it was kind of expensive--$2 for a cup that held about two spoonsful. I don't spend my pocket money lightly, but did I mention that this was a HOT day?! So I stopped, I perused the flavors, found my favorite--coconut, ordered a small and pulled out two dollars. The woman scooped my teensy-tiny icee, held it out to me with a smile and said "$3." Sure enough, there were no prices posted and I quickly
understood that I was paying a premium for the cold treat because of the oppressive heat.
They have every right to charge what they want if people will pay it, but that doesn't make it any nicer.
-LW
Posted by leboheme at 12:40 PM
Ways of Bowing Out
July 27, 2005
The news that New York Governor George Pataki would make a special announcement this afternoon got BL Blog all excited...Memories of a sweltering day, about one year ago, another governor, just across the river, also had something to get off his chest. What could it be?
And then, as the speeches started up, striking similarities-- themes of family, community, and self:
George: My Dad made me realize that, at the end of each day, the best thing you can feel is that somehow during that day you've made life a little better for your family, for your neighbors, and for your community.
Jim: As a young child, I often felt ambivalent about myself, in fact confused. By virtue of my traditions and my community, I worked hard to ensure that I was accepted as part of the traditional family of America.
OK, OK, by now we all know the Patak is leaving the governorship not because he's been sleeping with his blackmailing, unqualified, male advisor on security, but because he wants to run for President--er, because "But there is one thing I've understood from my very first day in public office: that as elected officials we are only temporary stewards of the people's trust."
Posted by leboheme at 05:07 PM
Feedback: Change to Win?
July 26, 2005
Subject: union
Bravo to the last caller John. He was right on the money. Unions are necessary for all of our protections. The teacher asks why or how can he be recognized for his good work as if he would if we did not have a union. The truth is that he should be recognized for his good work but that should not be the determiner of how he or other teachers get paid. That sets up a very political situation where one is favored over another just because of undefined reason that can be manipulated. If teachers are paid in an objective manner based on years of service and degrees you have earned that is fair and objective.
-AP
Subject: Last word on unions, Stacey the business owner
Duh!?
Stacey the business owner complained about a union guy threatening to
unionize her workers, raise the wages, so she'd have to close her shop--all
because she undercut a union shop.
Does she not realize that EVERY competitior of her shop is trying to put her
out of business all the time--that's what capitalism is all about. Only they
don't tell her to her face.
-LM
Subject: Labor unions & Auto mfrs
Non-union auto companies only pay well (competitive with union pay) because there are unions at the other plants. Without unions, there would be no pressure to pay well.
It is interesting that the new Honda plant is going to be built in Ontario, Canada (union) rather than non-union Alabama, asserting that the educational requirements are not met in the south.
-JK
Subject: Labor Unions
I am in favor of the union split that occurred this week. I am so sick and tired of centrist and inefficient groups, such as the AFL-CIO and Democratic Party, who have done nothing but get fewer members, lower political clout, and been dragged policy-wise closer to so-called free market neo-cons who are laughing all the way to the bank while they ship jobs overseas to China where they can utilize workers who work under pre-1900 conditions.
-AH
Subject: SEIU Split ...I support the split I'm in 32BJ
Good for democracy: lateralizes power, spreads horizontally and increases
numbers instead hierarchical and vertical direction of power.
Labor is in a very different situation than the "perfect" models used in
economic theory. Unions allow for labor to enter and exit the market place
more effectively. Capital can move around the globe seconds whereas labor
cannot travel so easily to say China to compete for jobs.
-TAS
Posted by leboheme at 02:43 PM
Don't Laugh!
July 26, 2005
"Random searches, for example, depending on the size of your backpack or the size of your package is a reasonable thing."
-Freddy Ferrer, The Brian Lehrer Show, 7/26/05, around 10:23 am
Click here to listen.
Posted by leboheme at 11:22 AM
other forms of terrorism preparedness
July 25, 2005
The recent discovery of a cockroach in an iced coffee in room 2715A led to the discovery of Rhema Publishing's fascinating webpage on the uses of insects as food in a crisis situation, brought on by terrorism.
Posted by leboheme at 02:50 PM
Balancing Act
July 22, 2005
Two segments of today's show dealt with the tension between security and civil liberties. Both the new policy announced yesterday of random searches of bags and packages in (or entering) NYC's subways and some of the provisions of the extension of the USA PATRIOT Act passed last night by the House force us to choose where we'll draw that line.
Here's what three of our listeners had to say...
I'm with Ben Franklin on this question . . .That's all, folks!
Those who will give up a little freedom for a little more security deserve neither. (paraphrase) -- J. in NJ
I'm an american, lived in Paris during the time after the bombings of the subway, food market, and justice building area. At some point searches of bags began not in the subway as you might expect, but at the entrances of major department stores. I personally thought it was wise. People reacted with dignity, and it wasn't much of a disruption at all. . . . -- C. from Manhattan
Even setting aside Fourth Amendment concerns, the MTA searches are absolutely ridiculous. This is not a security measure, this is just another illusion-of-security measure. If someone carrying a bomb walks away from a checkpoint at Grand Central, what prevents that same person from walking a few blocks and boarding the train at 50th St ? --G. from Greenpoint
What do you think?
Posted by leboheme at 01:38 PM
Cruise Correct?
July 21, 2005
Decades ago, psychiatrist Thomas Szasz (that's "SAHZ", it's Hungarian) proposed the crazy idea that the concept of mental illness is bunk. Unlike, say, cancer, it's difficult to definitively diagnose or prove a mental problem. What's more, the idea of mental illness has been used in the past to stigmatize and punish individuals whose behavior is frowned upon, like homosexuals.
But is America ready to dump the insanity plea?
And what would happen if everyone just went off Prozac and Zoloft?
Could Tom Cruise really be right? (Szasz did work with the Scientologists' Citizens' Commission on Human Rights).
Tune in tomorrow to hear Jeffrey Schaler, a Szasz disciple and the proprietor of the szaszblog.
In the meantime, send us your questions, suggestions, rants, and raves!
Posted by leboheme at 04:51 PM
Mcclellan still embattled
July 21, 2005
The name John Roberts has not cured the White House Press corps of its recent fixation on someone else whose name begins with an R.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there is an investigation that continues, and I think the President has made it clear that we're not going to prejudge the outcome of that investigation.
Q: You already have the truth.
MR. McCLELLAN: We're not going to prejudge the outcome of that investigation through --
Q: Does he have access to security documents?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- through media reports. And these questions came up over the last week --
Q: Did he leak the name of a CIA agent?
MR. McCLELLAN: As I was trying to tell you, these questions have been answered.
Q: No, they haven't.
Q: Let me ask --
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, David.
Q: And they most certainly haven't. I think Helen is right, and the people watching us know that. And related to that, there are now --
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me correct the record. We've said for quite some time that this was an ongoing investigation, and that we weren't going to comment on it, so let me just correct the record.
Q: If you want to make the record clear, then you also did make comments when a criminal investigation was underway, you saw fit to provide Karl Rove with a blanket statement of absolution. And that turned out to be no longer accurate --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, and there were preferences expressed by those overseeing the investigation that we refrain from commenting on it while they're continuing to look at -- investigate it.
Posted by leboheme at 04:33 PM
Labor Pains
July 20, 2005
Embattled AFL-CIO chief John Sweeney is tomorrow's headline guest. For a briefing on what's at stake when unions convene in Chicago next week, check out Harold Meyerson in the Washington Post today.
The challengers: Unite To Win
To plant a question for John Sweeney in Brian's brain, click here and send us you thoughts!
Posted by leboheme at 04:04 PM
PS: Kristol
July 20, 2005
Bill K. obviously did not call this latest one right. Anyone know of anyone who correctly guessed John Roberts?
A guide to other John Robertses.
Posted by leboheme at 03:56 PM
Invaginate
July 20, 2005
from answers.com:
1. To enclose or become enclosed in or as if in a sheath.
2. To turn or become turned inward.
3. To infold or become infolded so as to form a hollow space within a previously solid structure, as in the formation of a gastrula from a blastula.
Posted by leboheme at 03:53 PM
Bill Kristol Calls it Again?
July 19, 2005
Your blogger does not enjoy spreading rumors, especially about potential nominees for the Supreme Court (these have bitten us in the behind before). But, in the sad and admittedly unlikely case that this blog is the only one you visit today: EDITH CLEMENT IS BEING TOUTED AS THE PRESIDENT'S NOMINEE FOR SUPREME COURT! W will make the announcement tonight at nine.
Last month, Bill Kristol correctly guessed that O'Connor might resign before Rehnquist. Did he nail this one too on Fox News Sunday last Sunday?:
"I think he wants to pick a woman -- a conservative woman. There are plenty of conservative women on the federal appeals court."
Andrew Sullivan: "it would be hard for the Dems to mount a campaign against this woman"
Dailykos: "let's find out how much Judge Clement agrees or disagrees wth Scalia and Thomas"
Hugh Hewitt: "I am cheered by her vote in the Cave Bug case"
The Note: "A Southern charmer"
Supreme Court Nomination Blog has an excellent rundown of Judge Clement's cases
Find out what the bookies think at Tradesports
Posted by leboheme at 02:31 PM
Thank Goodness We Actually Still Read Primary Documents!
July 18, 2005
If you read the Washington Post today, your eyes might have widened at this item: "U.S. Says It Did Not Carry Out Plans to Back Iraqis in Election".
The Post's reporter was investigating suggestons in this week's New Yorker by muckraker Sy Hersh that the US covertly meddled in Iraq's elections last year("Get Out The Vote"). After the initial shock of learning that a plan was developed to sway the election's outcome, the reader is lulled by quotes from officials suggesting that the plan, though hatched and authorized, was never followed.
It is not until the sixth paragraph that the reader learns of Hersh's finding that "despite congressional objections, the White House went ahead with the plan to bolster the campaign of Ayad Allawi".
What kind of support does Hersh allege? Money, voter intimidation, ballot box stuffing.
Hersh on WNYC: "you needed to find votes for Allawi...what people they had told me, they heard directly was ballots were stuffed."
Click here to hear the interview.
More notable, perhaps, than the WaPo's coverage of this story, is the fact that no one in the White House press corps, now obsessed with Rove-Plame-Novak-gate, managed to ask the President or Scott McClellan about this today.
Posted by leboheme at 04:20 PM
Feedback: Gay Overload!
July 15, 2005
So many emails on our call-in today, taking up Katherine in Montville's slam yesterday against same-sex love (click here to listen to the slam in realplayer, Katherine's contribution comes at 37:10).
To listen to today's edition of "democracy wonk", click here.
your feedback:
Subject: Reaons to let bigoted opinions be heard
On the issue of whether you, as facilitator and host of a talk radio show, should cut off callers who express hateful or bigoted opinions, I believe that you have an obligation to let them express their opnions, and then respond to it in reasonable, intelligent manner. In my opinion there is no truth to the argument that you legitimize someone's opinions by letting them express them publicly - if anything it is quite the contrary.
That's the principled reason. However, from a purely callous entertainment point of view it is even more crucial that you do this. Rupert Murdoch's most talented producers could not have engineered a more dramatic and satisfying 20 minutes than what we heard on WNYC from 11:40 to Noon today.
-JC
Subject: Limp wristed liberals
Congratulations. Your last show was exciting, engaging and had all
the intellectual merit of the Geraldo show.
In the interest of having the opportunity to demonstrate your own open-minded viewpoint toward homosexuality, you have turned your excellent show into a forum for bigotry.
No matter how they attempt to dress up their arguments in the trappings of compassion, the anti-gay members of your audience fundamentally are all arguing from a biblical/religious perspective. YOU WILL NEVER CHANGE THEIR MINDS because they argue from faith and scripture rather than logic or conviction.
-ER
Subject: homosexuality, Greeks, Hebrews, Republicans, Democrats
many different cultures have had many different attitudes about sex between people of the same gender. In ancient Hawaii a propensity or inclination for a man to prefer sex with men to the exclusion of women was considered a sign of being blessed or magic or powerful.
Historically, the equation of homosexual behavior with sin comes from the interaction of Hellenistic Greek-speaking people on the coast and Hebrew-speaking people in the hills of what is today Israel/Palestine. The Greeks considered Hebrews and all non-Greek speakers Barbarians and, in return, the Hebrews considered the Greeks sinners. Those things that the Greeks did -- eat pork, have homosexual sex without shame, etc. -- were considered bad by definition, as the Greeks considered the Hebrews to be unsophisticated, uncultured, rubes.
Seems we still have Greeks and Hebrews today. Red and Blue states.
Each condemning each other on the same basis used by 2200 years ago.
-WP
Subject: homosexuality
If only people had paid better attention in their biology class at school there might not be so much bigotry towards sexual orientation. When we start out as a single cell we are both male and female. Only when genes from the sperm begin to be transcribed are female characteristics suppressed and male characteristics enhanced, in the case of making a male. The reverse happens when the sperm contains an X chromosome rather than a Y chromosome.
Evolutionarily we're attracted to the sex that will produce "fit" offspring. But how do we or any other animal know how to do this? Chemical signals and physical characteristics are how the animal kingdom typically does it and those cues are determined during development and the result of how and when genes are transcribed. Again, we don't all do it the same way. It's 100% natural. These differences have always been part of biology and always will.
-IW
Subject: That gay marriage debate
It is easy and disingenuous to mock the statement that gay marriage "threatens traditional marriage." Of course no one's marriage is actually threatened by another's definition of marriage. But should gay marriage become legal and accepted, our common definition and understanding of marriage will de facto be changed.
Some pro-choice advocates profess not to understand why anti-abortion demonstraters persist. It's a personal choice, they argue. If you don't believe in abortion, just don't have one. I often wonder whether those pro-choice folks old enough to remember Vietnam (like me) felt the same way about the war. Were they saying, "Look, all we ask for is protection for conscientious objectors? If you want to go and kill Vietnamese, that's OK." Of course not. We believed it was morally wrong to be at war. And we felt the policy to do so undermined us as a nation.
Believe it or not, there are people who have beliefs that are deep and moral even though they may differ from ours!
A current anti-abortion bumper sticker reads, "It's a child, not a choice." I am waiting for the bumper sticker that says, "It's a child, and it's a choice. What a terrible dilemma." Would both sides vandalize my car?
-TC
Subject: the caller today
I think that a radio show like yours strives to enlighten people and your dialogue with the compassionate woman who believes that she is helping people overcome a moral wrong. You handled it so well, by persistently challenging the woman's logic, rather than condemning her, as some of your listeners wanted you to do. It was fascinating to hear her try to explain her though process when faced with simple reason. Fascinating.
Dialogue! It reminded me of the Marshall Macluhan scene in Annie Hall, when Woody Allen turns to his movie audience and asks, "Wouldn't it be great if real life was like this?"
-J
Subject: Why even bothered
Why even bothered. The woman is obviously still in the closet and venting out because she can't live the normal life that other gays can.
-NX
Subject: please: no more anti-gay hate speech on your airwaves
I enjoy your show 90 % of the time, but I must ask you: please don't put any more gay-hating fundamentalist nuts on the air. I doubt that you'd give air time to some klansman who believes that blacks don't deserve equal rights, and I see no reason why this sort of anti-gay garbage gets a free pass.
-DH
Subject: re caller: Elaine
What a great caller. Thank-You for staying so personally balanced. She seems to be a seeker of the truth, looking for and sometimes finding these truths -- and sometimes not (Don't we all). That she could carry a conversation like she did for so many minutes impressed me greatly, I would've gotten tied up.
Thank-You so much for giving her those minutes.
Absolute support for allowing these calls.
What makes the difference is a person arguing without hate.
-JA
Subject: commentary slam: WOW!
i was trepidatious about the whole idea of the commentary slam, but it was really incredible radio. you delved into some really deep, important issues in today's recap. i was moved by the competing arguments and impressed once again with brian's ability to think on his feet, give competing views their space, and still find ways to rebut them, all in a spirit of comity.
i love hearing the voices of all these thoughtful, intelligent fellow new yorkers joining in the conversation.
-JN
Subject: Amazing Show
Well done....I found that final segment incredibly moving. The forum you provide for these two people to discuss their disagreements is so powerful. Kudos to the two women you had on the air discussing these things. I could hear how strongly they believe in what they were discuss yet they were able to be respectful and calm toward one another. Actually, I think this could be a good argument for men to step down from leadership roles around the world and let women take over. I think the many horrors we see around the world would diminish.
-BH
Subject: Homosexuality Discussion
historically, women were the property, first of their father and, after marriage, their husbands. Marriage, and the contract signed, was a recording of the transfer of "property". That is why it is termed a "contract of marriage". In a Brooklyn Museum exhibit I saw such a contract dating back before the birth of Christ. We continue the practice of marriage certificates not because of the transfer of property any longer, but rather for the division of property when the parties divorce or die.
It is for the convenience of the state in determining property ownership of assets as between the couple and the public. If my position is correct, gay unions/marriage of whatever name would aid in the division of property two people have shared.-PH
Subject: Debating Homosexuality
Your caller against "The Gay Agenda" was contradicting herself. You could have held her to account on that. I found 75% of every word she said hurtful and a steath-attack.
When you asked her, "why do you care?" she said, "she doesn't" in one breath, then in another, says that she's "trying to do her job."
As for her "proof" of psychiatric evidence of "damage" due to
same-sex-attraction: All of that "evidence" has been disproven and discredited by the APA. All of it.
When you try to manipulate others into doing or being what you want, regardless what they want, you are not their friend.
-JPW
Subject: it caught me today!!! -Naoko
What I'm thinking about the gay couples' issue is about what you asked to the caller "Why you care about it? What would hurt you?" or that kind of things. If I remember correctly, you mentioned that gay couples have been accepted in society, like getting the right to get married in some states. So.... so?? The reasons you raised weren't persuasive to me although I respect gay couples and hope they can get any rights to do what they want to and also hope they are accepted by society. Her voice sounded so serious and sad... She seemed to have some certain reasons to say that. Yes, I also wanted to know why she was so serious about that.
At the same time, as I listened to her, I became to think she also should have the right to say anything she believes. I imagine she might have been blamed when she addressed her belief before people. It seemed people consider she shouldn't think in that way, maybe not all people but some people? I might be wrong. It made me think about what true democracy should be.
-NM
Subject: Today's Show (7-15-05)
What happened on your show today was inspiring--a non-violent ballet in verbal action--and your choreography was stunning, in my opinion. Had your guest in question been denied or heavily shamed from airing her views, she might have missed, or closed her mind to, this important opportunity to hear truths that have been evading her consciousness.
-BB
Posted by leboheme at 02:25 PM
Glen Jenvey Links
July 15, 2005
This morning we speak with freelance terror investigator Glen Jenvey, who does most of his research from his laptop in his home in Wiltshire, England. Jenvey was instrumental in obtaining video evidence that led to the arrest last year of radical cleric Abu Hamza.
click here for a link to the video, or click here for transcripts.
Posted by leboheme at 10:34 AM
Feedback: Who Cares Who's "Classically Trained"?
July 14, 2005
subject: classically trained
What is the difference between including "classically trained" or "self taught" in a bio? If it's a fact, it is germane.
Writers lay claim to attending Oxford, politicians to graduating Harvard Law, CEOs to their MBAs from Wharton. (Not to mention journalists whose curriculum vitae announce Columbia University as alma mater.) If a pop musician actually did the classical training, should she be proud of it or not? It seems it would be false to try to hide the fact.
-TC
subject: Keith Jarrett
One reason he rejected his classical training, he said in an NPR interview years ago, was that he felt that the best performance often was the first time you ever played a piece, that after practicing, you could lose the freshness and spontaneity.
-ED
Posted by leboheme at 04:00 PM
Photo File: The Judges Deliberating
July 14, 2005
Mike Kelly and Brian Lehrer go over their notes from our first-ever commentary slam.
Posted by leboheme at 03:56 PM
Photo File: Bernard Carr
July 13, 2005
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NYSAFAH's Bernard Carr makes the case for more public money for affordable housing
Posted by leboheme at 03:18 PM
Q & A
July 13, 2005
Q: Hi --
I want to send in a 90-second contribution to the opinion SLAM tomorrow. Should I send it to this e-maill address?
-AC
A: People, people, people! Listen to Brian when he speaks to you! This is a call-in. As per usual with our show, there is no submission process. You call, we put you on the air. Even if we had the requisite staff to vet all yer crazy submissions, do you think we'd be industrious enough to get off our duffs and do so? Now: get your rant in order, and get ready to call tomorrow at 11:06!
Posted by leboheme at 03:10 PM
Feedback:
July 12, 2005
Subject: 4 SCJ = Christine Todd Whitman
After hearing her on NPR, she sounds reasonable, sane and articulate. She's a republican who has explicitly rejected a social and political order emerging out of "biblical truth." All interpretations, however attentive to textual meanings must also integrate both the context of the writer[s] as well as the context of us, the readers.
-JF
I am a militant moderate: be reasonable or else! Some elements of the militant moderate philosphy:
Liberals exist to keep the neanderthals from ruling the world. conservatives exist to keep the pointy-heads from ruling the world.
The liberals have the arts, the media, and education. The conservatives have business and the military. Sounds fair and balanced to me.
-JM
I'm a fan of the Judge Judy show and though I don't know if she has the qualifications for a supreme court position I appreciate what I observe as her common sense approach to justice and fairness. Many of the litigates I've seen on her show seem as if their efforts would've been better served by a similar use of that approach.
-NV
We live in a highly sexist society: look @ Elian Gonzales for example. If his father had taken him on that boat and left his mother in Cuba, he would have been home by the time dessert was being served on that Thanksgiving day and not Easter of the following year.
-LR
Posted by leboheme at 05:22 PM
Random Site-Ing
July 11, 2005
Uniformfreak is a cybercollector who will almost definitely never make an appearance on our show. Nevertheless, his collection of airline stewardess uniforms is well worth visiting.
Especially noteworthy: Allegheny Airlines.
Posted by leboheme at 04:00 PM
On Tomorrow's Show
July 11, 2005
WNYC's Beth Fertig and Assemblyman Richard Brodsky try to explain why the MTA has spent only about $30m of $600m allocated for improvements to public transportation security.
M.T.A. Slow to Spend Money on Transit Security (The New York Times)
Posted by leboheme at 03:55 PM
Friedman Rebutted!
July 11, 2005
On today's show NYU's Bernard Haykel refuted Tom Friedman's assertion that "to this day - no major Muslim cleric or religious body has ever issued a fatwa condemning Osama bin Laden."
In fact, says Haykel, plenty of Muslims, including Muslim clerics, have condemned terror against civilians committed in the name of Islam. Listen
What's more, a fatwa is not generally a death-sentence, as it was in the case of Salman Rushdie, but a assessment based on islamic law of a difficult or controversial issue, which then may or may not be heeded by a judge.
These days, live call-in fatwa shows on TV and radio field devout Muslims' questions on matters like erectile dysfunction, plucking eyebrows, and sex additiction. Carnival Arabia has an interesting article about the phenomenton.
Posted by leboheme at 03:19 PM
Feedback: The Facebook goes Digital
July 08, 2005
In the interest of (mostly) shameless self-promotion, I thought you might find this article I wrote for my college newspaper interesting. I think thefacebook is part of a huge shift in how young people form friendships and relationships. For instance, students now "research" their acquaintances and crushes. And that, in a weird way, has either eliminated smalltalk, or forces students to pretend to know less about people than they actually do from hours spent on facebook the night before. Besides the safety risks, this is very important culturally.
-DB
Posted by leboheme at 11:42 AM
The Extell Plan
July 08, 2005
![]()
an aerial view of the Extell plan
(courtesy of Cetra-Ruddy)
Posted by leboheme at 10:48 AM
Photo File: Fareed Zakaria and Guy Martin
July 07, 2005
![]()
Newsweek International's Fareed Zakaria
![]()
Guy Martin of New York Magazine
Posted by leboheme at 03:41 PM
Commentary Slam Cancelled
July 07, 2005
This morning we'll just keep you up to date on the London bombings.
The slam will be rescheduled for another day, stay tuned for more info.
Posted by leboheme at 10:15 AM
Feedback: Balance
July 06, 2005
Dear Brian (and the producers of the Brian Lehrer Show):
I was listening to the show today (Tues, 7/05), and a couple of callers
tried to make the point that you have moved to a more conservative
point of view on your show, one from the left, one from the right.
Those calls were sort of indicative of the times we find ourselves in,
I think. The man on the Left is feeling paranoid because of the
actions of the FCC over recent years, and the appointment of
right-wingers to head the CPB.
On the other hand, I think the guy on the Right had a
preconceived notion of the "Liberal Media that is Public Radio", when
he found your show and was pleasantly surprised. He said you gained
him as a listener. Good for you. (Maybe he'll even become a member
someday.) I guess my point is that everything, everything these days
is seen in terms of which side you fall on the political divide, and
thankfully you are one that refuses, and brings us all to a forum where
we can hear each other out. I thank you for being an increasingly lone
voice in the wilderness.
Maybe someday I'll have the nerve to even call in.
-SD
So, Brian, you were "insulted" when that right-winger complimented you(and WNYC, and NPR) on moving to the right!!! I'm so happy he said what he said.
A moment of truth, I'm afraid. As a long, loyal listener I've detected changes in attitude and content since the most recent attacks first began on CPB--remember the Ken Auletta article in the NYer over a year ago when he talked about Cheney calling in the CPB head to suggest that Lynn C. do a children's show?
The move in congress was a feint. But it worked. They're doing their damage by making you guys bend over backward to be even more fair!
-CO
Posted by leboheme at 02:05 PM
Photo File: Jonathan Trichter
July 06, 2005
The Pace Poll's Jonathan Trichter pulls meaning from numbers
Posted by leboheme at 01:43 PM
Q & A
July 06, 2005
Q: Didn't see any info on your site re: 90 second commentaries you have been talking about. How does one send one in? Thanks. PS - love your voice!
-MC
A: This is a spontaneous slam, no submissions required. Just think up a witty 90-second rap or rant, then call in this Thursday at 212 433 WNYC (433-9692) and we'll try to get you on. The slam begins at 11:06.
Posted by leboheme at 10:03 AM
Full Disclosure
July 05, 2005
A self-described liberal caller to today's Democracy Wonk segment took issue with Brian's failure to mention earlier in the show that guest Charles Krauthammer is also a contributor to Fox News Channel (he is better known as a syndicated columnist appearing in the Washington Post).
What do you think? By not mentioning Krauthammer's other job at a news outlet with a conservative slant, did he do listeners a disservice? Or do Krauthammer's conservative views speak for themselves, and don't columnists of all striped appear on TV and radio all the time?
Tell us what you think!
Click here to hear that segment
Later on, when Brian was taking calls from conservatives, a caller suggested that the recent installation of some political conservatives at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting had made this show "more balanced".
Brian replied that the first he'd heard of Ken Tomlinson at all was last month, and that any changes there were not having any effect here.
Do you hear a difference? Do you like or dislike what you're hearing?
Posted by leboheme at 03:48 PM
Painting A Picture of America
July 04, 2005
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American Gothic (Grant Wood, 1930)
American Gothic is one of the most recognized and recognizable paintings in America, and also the topic of discussion on today's show (with author and art historian Thomas Hoving). Click here for a sample of the many knockoffs, spoofs, and imitations it has begat.
Posted by leboheme at 09:35 AM
When the Cat's Away...Supreme Court Justices will Retire!
July 01, 2005
Dear Brian,
Please do not ever go on vacation again. I think by now enough vacations with missed momentous events have taken place for there to be a scientific correlation between your absence on WNYC and the 'changing of America as we know it.'
Not sure what your wife and children would have to say about this, but surely you understand it is your moral duty not to leave The Brian Lehrer show ever again, lest another Supreme Court justice gets knocked off or something similarly frightening happens.
Though to your credit you did warn us to "brace ourselves,"
-YF
Dear YF:
We spoke with Brian today and he told us that he's in Washington, D.C., and had actually made plans earlier to have lunch at the Supreme Court!
Posted by leboheme at 01:54 PM
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