The controversy over pastor Rick Warren’s role in the inauguration is now paired with the news that an openly gay bishop will give the invocation. Eboo Patel, founder of the Interfaith Youth Core, discusses the role of religion in the Obama administration, next Tuesday and beyond. Plus, who pays for all the inauguration festivities? And: why teasing may not be so bad.
Guests:
Eboo PatelBloomberg's Big Day
WNYC's Bob Hennelly recaps yesterday's crazy day: Mayor Bloomberg delivered his State of the City address (and de facto kick-off speech for his reelection campaign) mere hours before the emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River.
Inauguration Donations
Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, discusses where the money is coming from to fund the inaugural festivities.
Naturally Good
Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at University of California, Berkeley and author of Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life (Norton, January 2009), discusses why he thinks teasing is okay and why he thinks humans are hard-wired to be good.
Religion and Inauguration
Eboo Patel, founder and executive director of Interfaith Youth Core and Washington Post columnist, has been on an advisory board to the Obama administration around civic engagement issues. He talks about religion and community in the era of Obama with a particular focus on the inauguration.
Fear Not
David Kennedy, professor of history at Stanford University and author of Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945, provides historical perspective on Inauguration Day.
Service Monday
MLK Day is Monday, and since 1994 it has existed as a national day of service. This year the Obama administration is encouraging a renewed spirit of service. Nicky Goren, acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, discusses volunteer opportunities on Martin Luther ...