The Brian Lehrer Show

The Meaningful Hum of the Lawn Sprinkler

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Is there some deep significance behind the bland, contended sameness of American bedroom communities? Suburbologist (and New York Times columnist) David Brooks believes the Olive Garden and the well-kept lawn are powerful emblems of American aspirations. Also, teachers, firefighters, police, and home health aides strike, the Mayor’s new noise initiative, the philosophy of The Sopranos, and your calls on when it’s OK to criticize President Reagan again.

Listen to the whole show

Teachers' Bet

Randi Weingarten President of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and chair of the Municipal Labor Committee

Strike One

Jennifer Cunningham Executive Director of SEIU, New York State Council

Strike Two

Sheryl McCarthy Columnist for Newsday

and
Alyssa Katz Editor of City Limits
and
Greg David Editor of Crains New York Business on the home health care workers' strike and the city's labor negotiations with the police, firefighters and teachers

Open Phones

whether candidate Kerry should criticize President Reagan's policies

American Life

David Brooks New York Times columnist and author, On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense (Simon & Schuster, 2004)

Philosophy

William Irwin Associate Professor of Philosophy, Kings College, and series editor of Open Court Publishing's "Popular Culture and Philosophy" books, including The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real (Popular Culture and Philosophy Vol. 3), Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy (Popular Culture and Philosophy Series): Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale, on the "Popular Culture and Philosophy" series