wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Brian,

One thing in your account of what you missed jumped out at me. You seemed to suggest that it is ridiculous to think that there are any sorts of activities that are technically illegal but should not be considered criminal. I agree that if you take the terms literally, there is no way to do something illegal that is not a crime. However, you suggested in an earlier segment that at least some cases of illegal immigration should not be treated as crimes. I agree that those who were involved in the illegal hiring practices at the Justice Dept. should be prosecuted and illegal immigrants who are productive members of society and commit no crimes other than being in this country illegally should be left alone. However, I found it interesting that you could present a general idea as preposterous when you had seemingly endorsed that same idea earlier in the show.

Love the show and welcome back!

Welcome back, Brian! (I really missed you on 8/12.)

You missed penny-size hail in Queens and hail the size of quarters in New Jersey on 8/11. Ouch.

CATCHUP

You've had your summertime in the sun,
Turned blazing, crimson red,
Applied the recommended wet
Washcloth and taken to bed.

You've listened to Beethoven and Bach
And John Zorn on the lawn
And gotten bitten by hungry bugs
And look like a savaged fawn.

You've driven winding country roads
That always leave you a mess
And having failed to learn a thing
Still have no G.P.S.

But now you're home, it's catchup day,
A bloody collection of thrills!
A hundred messages and a pile
Of magazines and bills.

Oh, you just missed your guests, the wack jobs that debunked acupuncture and basically all holistic medicinal practices. I found the whole interview frustrating (to describe it lightly), and I need follow up to one of the questions your substitute asked. She asked if they were working for the pharmaceutical industry or the homeopathic/holistic healing industry. The authors insisted that they were not, nor had they received any donations of any kind for their work. However, she did not ask them if the 100s of studies they were using to validate their claims were supported or linked to either side of the medical industry. Can you follow-up? Thanks! Welcome back, Brian.

Brian,
FYI on the summer streets closure: there is one more week of it, this Saturday the 23rd (3 Saturdays in August). It is a great experience. I would recommend getting out very early on the bicycle. And then maybe later wandering around by foot...

The woman calling in about the first recorded tornado in Brooklyn was mistaken -- that happened last year! In fact, for a second, I thought I might be listening to a year-old show! That tornado touched down in and around Kensington, where my baby sitter lives. She reported huge trees ripped out by their roots, breaking up sidewalks and streets, and crushing several cars.
Best,
Kate
p.s. LOVE the show, as always.

Correction: Donald Trumps purchase of Ed McMann's home. As reported on the news, Donald purchased the home because McMann could not make the mortgage payments. McMann will be allowed to live out his days in peace and he WILL NOT have to pay The Donald rent.

Summer streets is next weekend too.....

I was amused by the woman who called in about the Chinese gymnasts -- She said there was an article with one girl's age as ar but it hadn't been reported anywhere. I wonder how she knew about it if it wasn't reported anywhere.
Amd besodes -- who cares!

Phoenix Spacecraft Confirms Suspicion By Scooping Up Ice In Soil, Melting It Into Water
Comments 86
LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2008

Bob Dylan played at Convention Hall in Asbury Park on Wednesday and he wouldn't let Bruce Springsteen play along with him although that is what originally was planned. Guess Dylan didn't want to share the spotlight.

On Monday - there was a call-in about The Edwards Affair and, in theory, about whether or not the media, in specific NPR, should be covering it. I'm still sick to my stomach about what one commentor said - and that the host actually read aloud his comment: "Maybe she wasn't fullfilling his needs." I'm still in awe that 1) someone would think something that ridiculously cruel 2) that person would think it's a good idea to write that down for other people to read 3) the Brian Leher show screener thought it would be a good idea to pass on to the host 4) the guest host thought it would be a good idea to read aloud on the air. I know that you (Brian) never would have passed on such a heartless and idiotic quote like that without pooh-poohing it. But the guest host (sorry I don't remember his name) actually then said "well, that's just men and sex." Please don't let this happen again. If we have to listen to reruns while you're away next time - that's fine with me. (And p.s. - if someone isn't "fullfilling your needs" you get a divorce. You do not cheat. That's just cowardice. but that's just my humble opinion)

Brian,
See - after hearing your list, you really did not miss anything, it's all the same. And apparently you REALLY did not miss anything. You must have read the paper, scanned the internet, browsed the blackberry, listened to the radio and/or watched the TV when you were on vacation. Only reading the paper is permissible.

Too bad Musharraf didn't resign last week. You would've hit the news trifecta... a war, a sex scandal and a resignation.

-a tornado warning in manhattan and lots of rain, and
-two sunshine-y summer streets (yay!)

the AMAZING michael phelps!

Barack lost some mojo.

Hi Bryon,

I predict when you go on your vacation, Russia will invade Georgia, the country.

Let me know what I win at your convenience.

Mike

And of course, the gunman in Arkansas last week that shot the Arkansas Chairman in Little Rock because he lost his job.

John Edwards admitted to an affair with another woman while Elizabeth was sick.

Russia and Georgia conflict, wnyc got back their old phone number, Bush criticized China for their human right's activities and China told Bush to take the plank out of the US before looking at China's actions.

Hilary Clinton was announced to be on the nomination list for the Democrat convention next week in Denver.

Bernie Mac passed away.:(