Hamas, Fatah Agree on Document Recognizing Israel's Existence (Bloomberg)

Talks with US 'of no use to Iran' (BBC)

Pending and Resolved Supreme Court Cases (AP from Forbes.com)

MTA: Fulton Street hub won't be scaled back (Newsday)

Rats Are Swift, but Audit Finds Response to Them Is Sluggish (NY Times)

Having Older Brothers Increases a Man's Odds of Being Gay(Scientific American)

Posted by leboheme at 11:13 AM

Bringing some youthful energy to the Green Room, second graders visit WNYC on a class field trip 6/26/2006

Posted by Seamus at 01:55 PM

Studio visitors view the show from the sound engineer's desk as producer Nuala McGovern looks on. 6/26/2006

Posted by Seamus at 01:54 PM

Second graders learning the tricks of the trade while looking over Brian's shoulder. 6/26/2006

Posted by Seamus at 01:54 PM

Writer Suketu Mehta explains how Eastern and Western social customs can be misinterpreted as rude 6/26/2006

Posted by Seamus at 01:36 PM

FBI: Sears Tower targeted (Chicago Tribune)

High court eases path for workers' discrimination suits(Christian Science Monitor)

U.S. Panel Backs Data on Global Warming (LA Times)

Iraqi Government Declares State of Emergency (NY Times)

A Few Things Lawmakers Can Agree On (NY Times)

Councilman: Limit fast food places to fight fat (Newsday)

Posted by lehrer at 10:53 AM

In a jungle of microphones, Brooklyn Historical Society's Deborah Schwartz takes a turn to listen to the oral histories of Brooklynites

Posted by Seamus at 01:01 PM

A very active listener, founder of StoryCorp David Isay invites Brian Lehrer listeners to tell their stories.

Posted by Seamus at 01:01 PM

A very active listener, founder of StoryCorp David Isay invites Brian Lehrer listeners to tell their stories.

Posted by Seamus at 01:00 PM

Here are the texts of the two Democratic amendments being debated today:

First, SA 4320: Senator Levin's (D-MI) version with no fixed date for a pull-out

Followed by SA 4442: Senator Kerry's (D-MA) version which calls for withdrawal by July 2007

SA 4320. Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. Reed, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Salazar, and Mrs. Clinton) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2766, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1209. UNITED STATES POLICY ON IRAQ.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``United States Policy on Iraq Act of 2006''.

(b) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Global terrorist networks, including those that attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, continue to threaten the national security of the United States and are recruiting, planning, and developing capabilities to attack the United States and its allies throughout the world.

(2) Winning the fight against terrorist networks requires an integrated, comprehensive effort that uses all facets of power of the United States and the members of the international community who value democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

(3) The United States Armed Forces, particularly the Army and Marine Corps, are stretched thin, and many soldiers and Marines have experienced three or more deployments to combat zones.

(4) Sectarian violence has surpassed the insurgency and terrorism as the main security threat in Iraq, increasing the prospects of a broader civil war which could draw in Iraq's neighbors.

(5) United States and coalition forces have trained and equipped more than 116,000 Iraqi soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and more than 148,000 Iraqi police, highway patrol, and other Ministry of Interior forces.

(6) Of the 102 operational Iraqi Army combat battalions, 69 are either in the lead or operating independently, according to the May 2006 report of the Administration to Congress entitled ``Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq'';

(7) Congress expressed its sense in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (119 Stat. 3466) that ``calendar year 2006 should be a period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty, with Iraqi security forces taking the lead for the security of a free and sovereign Iraq, thereby creating the conditions for the phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq''.

(8) Iraq's security forces are heavily infiltrated by sectarian militia, which has greatly increased sectarian tensions and impeded the development of effective security services loyal to the Iraq Government.

(9) With the approval by the Iraqi Council of Representatives of the ministers of defense, national security, and the interior on June 7, 2006, the entire cabinet of Prime Minister Maliki is now in place.

(10) Pursuant to the Iraq Constitution, the Council of Representatives is to appoint a Panel which will have 4 months to recommend changes to the Iraq Constitution.

(11) Despite pledges of more than $8,000,000,000 in assistance for Iraq by foreign governments other than the United States at the Madrid International Donors' Conference in October 2003, only $3,500,000,000 of such assistance has been forthcoming.

(12) The current open-ended commitment of United States forces in Iraq is unsustainable and a deterrent to the Iraqis making the political compromises and personnel and resource commitments that are needed for the stability and security of Iraq.

(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that in order to change course from an open-ended commitment and to promote the assumption of security responsibilities by the Iraqis, thus advancing the chances for success in Iraq--

(1) the following actions need to be taken to help achieve the broad-based and sustainable political settlement so essential for defeating the insurgency and preventing all-out civil war--

(A) there must be a fair sharing of political power and economic resources among all the Iraqi groups so as to invest them in the formation of an Iraqi nation by either amendments to the Iraq Constitution or by legislation or other means, within the timeframe provided for in the Iraq Constitution;

(B) the President should convene an international conference so as to more actively involve the international community and Iraq's neighbors, promote a durable political settlement among Iraqis, reduce regional interference in Iraq's internal affairs, encourage more countries to contribute to Iraq's extensive needs, and ensure that pledged funds are forthcoming;

(C) the Iraq Government should promptly and decisively disarm the militias and remove those members of the Iraqi security forces whose loyalty to the Iraq Government is in doubt; and

(D) the President should--

(i) expedite the transition of United States forces in Iraq to a limited presence and mission of training Iraqi security forces, providing logistic support of Iraqi security forces, protecting United States infrastructure and personnel, and participating in targeted counterterrorism activities;

(ii) after consultation with the Government of Iraq, begin the phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq this year; and

(iii) submit to Congress a plan by the end of 2006 with estimated dates for the continued phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq, with the understanding that unexpected contingencies may arise;

(2) during and after the phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq, the United States will need to sustain a nonmilitary effort to actively support reconstruction, governance, and a durable political solution in Iraq; and

(3) the President should carefully assess the impact that ongoing United States military operations in Iraq are having on the capability of the United States Government to conduct an effective counterterrorism campaign to defeat the broader global terrorist networks that threaten the United States.

*******

SA 4442. Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mrs. BOXER, and Mr. LEAHY) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2766, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 437, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:

SEC. 1084. UNITED STATES POLICY ON IRAQ.

(a) Redeployment of Troops From Iraq.--

(1) SCHEDULE FOR REDEPLOYMENT.--For purposes of strengthening the national security of the United States, the President shall redeploy, commencing in 2006, United States forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007, in accordance with a schedule coordinated with the Government of Iraq, leaving only the minimal number of forces that are critical to completing the mission of standing up Iraqi security forces, conducting targeted and specialized counterterrorism operations, and protecting United States facilities and personnel.

(2) CONSULTATION WITH CONGRESS REQUIRED.--The President shall consult with Congress regarding the schedule for redeployment and shall submit such schedule to Congress as part of the report required under subsection (c).

(3) MAINTENANCE OF OVER-THE-HORIZON TROOP PRESENCE.--The President should maintain an over-the-horizon troop presence to prosecute the war on terror and protect regional security interests.

(b) Iraq Summit.--The President should work with the leaders of the Government of Iraq to convene a summit as soon as possible that includes those leaders, leaders of the governments of each country bordering Iraq, representatives of the Arab League, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, representatives of the European Union, and leaders of the governments of each permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, for the purpose of reaching a comprehensive political agreement for Iraq that engenders the support of Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds by ensuring the equitable distribution of oil revenues, disbanding the militias, strengthening internal security, reviving reconstruction efforts and fulfilling related international economic aid commitments, securing Iraq's borders, and providing for a sustainable federalist structure in Iraq.

(c) Report on Redeployment.--

(1) REPORT REQUIRED.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, submit to Congress a report that sets forth the strategy for the redeployment of United States forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007.

(2) STRATEGY ELEMENTS.--The strategy required in the report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) The schedule for redeploying United States forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007, developed pursuant to subsection (a)(1).

(B) A schedule for returning the majority of such redeployed forces home to the United States.

(C) The number, size, and character of United States military units needed in Iraq after July 1, 2007, for purposes of counterterrorism activities, training Iraqi security forces, and protecting United States infrastructure and personnel.

(D) A strategy for addressing the regional implications for diplomacy, politics, and development of redeploying United States forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007.

(E) A strategy for ensuring the safety and security of United States forces in Iraq during and after the July 1, 2007, redeployment, and a contingency plan for addressing dramatic changes in security conditions that may require a limited number of United States forces to remain in Iraq after that date.

(F) A strategy for redeploying United States forces to effectively engage and defeat global terrorist networks that threaten the United States.

Posted by leboheme at 11:39 AM

G.O.P. Decides to Embrace War as Issue

House Republicans Stall Voting Rights Act Extension

U.S. Says Missile-Defense System Limited

Spitzer becoming Albany's 4th man in the room

Pataki selections draw criticism

Wallace Laments Rather's Departure

Study Shows a Dwindling Middle Class

Posted by leboheme at 10:41 AM

New York is the world's most polite city . . . really!

and getting healthier

but ranks near the bottom in High School graduation rates

Albany round-up

The president meets with the European Union today:

North Korea and the missile test

Miami Heat win their first NBA championship

Posted by leboheme at 09:05 AM

World Cup Losses Undermine Stock Markets in Home Countries (AP)

N. Korea Launch Concerns Mount (LA Times)

Ahmadinejad 'has 70% approval rating (Guardian)

Justices Rein In Clean Water Act (Washington Post)

7 World Trade Center Gets a Major Tenant (NY Times)

Posted by Seamus at 10:00 AM

Ben Dattner of Dattner Consulting showing some personality as he discusses the trend of employment testing 6/19/2006

Posted by Seamus at 12:43 PM

WBGO's David Cruz beams a triumphant smile after guest hosting The Brian Lehrer Show on June 16, 2006.

Posted by Seamus at 01:26 PM

(Housing Edition)

Affordable Apartments Down 17% (NY Times)

House Readies for Vote on Iraq (Washington Post)

Craigslist to Charge for Rental Listing (Gothamist)

Brooklyn Man Puts Tree House Up For Rent (WNBC)

Posted by leboheme at 11:17 AM

Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini, documentary filmmakers whose new work-in-progress, "My American Dreams: How Democracy Works Now," is premiering at the Human Rights Film Festival.

Posted by Seamus at 12:41 PM

Author of Terrorist and 21 other novels

Posted by Seamus at 12:41 PM

From Jack, Manhattan:

Every single person in this country is descended from immigratns, which people seem to forget. There are many in this country who would like to prevent immigrants from coming in when they are just one or two or three generaations removed from b eing immigrants themselves. It smacks of "I got here first, the rest of you go away."

From Marcus, White Plains:

I disagree with the speaker on her point that immigrants are fhosen over African American workers due to "enduring racism." The motivation is purely economic. Since many workers don't speak English and don't have anyone to compain to, they just have to accept it. If racism were the motivation, it would equally affect the immigrants who are also for the most part non-white.

From Sean, Manhattan:

One should be allowed to live wherever one wishes provided that he has the means to move and live there, with the understanding that he will acccept the cultural, economic, and political standards that exist in that place.

From Jon, Manhattan:

Pretend that you come home and ahomeless guy is on your sofa. He won't leave, but in return for staying on your sofa he is willing to wash your dishes. Somehow I don't think anyone, no matter how liberal they are, would be cool with that. And what if you want your kids to wash the dishes to teach them responsibility? Instead will you upgrade their chores to more white-collar work, like doing your taxes? Come on. It's not migration that is a right. It is the right of individuals to live well in their own homes.

From Tom, Queens:

Of course illegal immigrants bring down wages. It is only because the labor movement is no l0onger a large vital rorce in ours coeity today that illegals are getting away with coming here in such large numbers.

From Ronald, parts unknown:

To steal is wrong.
A father who steals bread to feed his children does no wrong.
To enter a country illegally is wrong.
To enter a county to be able to live is not wrong.

Posted by Seamus at 12:25 PM

Small Cities Hit Hard in Crime Report (NY Times)

Judge Rules That U.S. Has Broad Powers to Detain Noncitizens Indefinitely (NY Times)

Council Bids to Ring Out School Cell Ban (NY Post)

“Fat Nick” Wants to be a Cop After Hate Crime Conviction (NY Post)

Mayor Seeks Democratic Convention (NY Times)

Posted by Seamus at 09:41 AM

Posted by Seamus at 01:04 PM

Co-Executive Director Mithra Ramalev and Corps member Vanessa Washington displaying their City Year colors 6/13/2006.

Posted by Seamus at 01:44 PM

Guillermo Lineras, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, on the Dominican immigrant community 6/13/2006.

Posted by Seamus at 01:43 PM

Bush Makes Surprise Trip to Iraq (BBC)

Jordan Details Role in Zarqawi Hunt (LA Times)

Rove Won't Be Charged in Leak Case (NY Times)

President Bloomberg? (AP)

New York Ranks Second-To-Last for Volunteering (Daily News)

Posted by Seamus at 09:47 AM

Novelist Coe Booth on writing about the Bronx in her BRIO award-winning novel, Tyrell. 6/12/2006

Posted by Seamus at 01:35 PM

Novelist and Young Lions Fiction Award winner, Uzodinma Iweala reading from Beasts of No Nation: A Novel. 6/12/2006

Posted by Seamus at 01:34 PM

Black Leaders Fear Loss of Brooklyn House Seat (NY Times)

A Ring Tone Meant to Fall on Deaf Ears (NY Times)

Details on Detainee Suicides Emerging (LA Times)

Wal-Mart Adopts Fair Trade Coffee (Washington Post)

Jersey Boys Wins 4 Tonys (Washington Post)

Posted by Seamus at 09:44 AM

During today's summer reading discussion a woman caller, who is embarking on a cross-country road trip with her family asked for some “on the road" reading suggestions. Here are some of your email responses:

PrairyErth by William Least Heat-Moon is a great book about Kansas. It would be wonderful on tape/cd as one makes the drive through the Mid-West.
-P.D.

Book for the road suggestion: Jack Kerouac's On The Road "the ultimate road trip novel"
-S.P.

I read a great book years ago called The Magic Bus. It was an account of a summer college course inspired by Kerouac's On the Road. The course required extensive reading about American history based on the itinerary of the drive. I loved it, and think that it would be great to listen to (if it's on tape) while driving cross country. It's a great resource for reading material about American regional history.
-A.J.

road-trip reading...Mark Twain!!
-F.D.R.

Advice for roadtrippin' readers driving along I-90: read Travels with Charley by Steinbeck; or get it on tape. He took a similar route.
-V.P.

Posted by Seamus at 03:26 PM

Martin Horn, New York City Correction Commissioner, 6/9/06. Commissioner Horn discussing the merits of the NYC prison system.

Posted by Seamus at 02:45 PM

Michael Jacobson, Director of the Vera Institute of Justice, 6/9/06. Michael Jacobson examining his talking points during the "Correcting Corrections" segment.

Posted by Seamus at 02:43 PM

William Eskridge, John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence at Yale and co-author of "Gay Marriage: For Better or for Worse?". William Eskridge weighing in on gay marriage, and its role in politics, June 9, 2006.

Posted by Seamus at 02:42 PM

How U.S. Forces Found Iraq's Most-Wanted Man (Washington Post)

$25 million bounty will be honored, Iraqi leader says (AP)

Defeat for Net Neutrality Backers (BBC)

ABC News' Raddatz was first on TV to report Zarqawi's death (USA Today)

Judge Resorts to 'Rock Paper Scissors' (NY Times)

Posted by lehrer at 10:26 AM

Posted by Seamus at 01:32 PM

C.I.A. Knew Where Eichmann Was Hiding, Documents Show (NY Times)

Europe colluded with CIA flights (CBC)

Program to give Houses to Homeless (NY Times)

Rentals Scarcer than ever (Daily News)

Ohio Criticized for Curbing Voter Registration (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Posted by Seamus at 09:44 AM

WNYC reporter Beth Fertig on her three-part series "Disabling Diplomas: How NYC is Failing Its Special Education Students". 6/6/2006

Posted by Seamus at 01:30 PM

Google Takes On Microsoft With Web Spreadsheet (NYT)

Parties For 666 Fears (NY Times)

Supreme Court to take on Affirmative Action in High School (LA Times)

Islamic Militia Taking Over Somalia’s Capital – US backs wrong side? (NY Times)

Inflation Fears Cause Stock Market Tumble (CNN/Money)

Mafia Cops Get Life Sentence (AM NY)

Posted by Seamus at 09:52 AM

Peter Beinart on Monday morning politics and why liberals can make America great again 6/5/2006

Posted by Seamus at 03:10 PM

Canadian Police Delivered Explosives to Terrorists (AP)

Russia Pressured to Shut Down Illegal MP3 Sites (NY Times)

Movie for “Wrong Guy" Coma? (Independent)

Anatomy of a Cannes Boo (Variety)

Chavez Opens Movie Studios to Counter Hollywood “Cultural Dictatorship" (Yahoo News)

211 Help Line Will Cover State (Daily News)

Posted by Seamus at 09:15 AM

City Has Itself to Blame for Terror Cuts, U.S. Says (NY Times)

Chertoff Defiant Over NY Barbs (Daily News)

U.S. to Cooperate With Iraqis on Haditha Inquiry (NY Times)

Haditha Investigators May Exhume Bodies (Washington Post)

Net, Phone Companies Preparing for Privacy Fight (LA Times)

US probes new Iraq massacre claim – New Video (BBC)

Posted by Seamus at 12:57 PM

Posted by Seamus at 01:14 PM