The Brian Lehrer Show Archive
April 2005
The Big Three: Can China, India and the United States All Be Middle Class?
Friday, April 29, 2005
If this is indeed the “Asian Century,” as some have predicted, what will that mean for America, which currently holds the position of the world’s only superpower? And what are the implications of the expanding middle class in China, India and the United States on politics, the economy, trade and the environment?
Asian in New York: From Asia From Queens
Thursday, April 28, 2005
South Asians have a reputation of being one of the most prosperous of the newest immigrant groups. But community advocates say this "model" status ignores pressing social ills, including poverty and post-9/11 discrimination. We discuss some of the challenges facing South Asians in New York, as well as a look at the younger generation's artistic and cultural response.
Ode to Casual Clothing
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
There just may be
A t-shirt for you
If you call in a poem
Drop us a line
We may just decide
To grant you a divine
Lime Green Brian Lehrer Show T-shirt
The Golden Age of Piracy
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
According to Wikipedia the term filibuster comes from an early 17th century word dervived from the Spanish or Portuguese labuage for pirates. "Filibusteros" or, "one who held ships hostage for ransom." At the US Senate website the following definition for a filibuster is posted: informal term for any attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions. Today on the Brian Lehrer Show, we look into the history of the filibuster and we weigh its murky future on the floor of the US Senate.
Faith-Based Initiative
Monday, April 25, 2005
Journalist Chris Hedges attended the annual convention of National Religious Broadcasters and writes about the political theology of “Dominionism” that unites different groups on the Religious Right in the new issue of Harper’s Magazine. He’ll discuss the weekend’s news, including the national simulcast of the Justice Sunday: the Filibuster Against People Of Faith event organized by the Family Research Council in support of the use of the “nuclear option” in Senate judicial confirmation hearings.
Also: Historian Scott Sandage on the changing definition of failure in America.
Self-Service
Friday, April 22, 2005
Do-it-yourself radio with the Brian Lehrer Show "open phones" extravaganza. Brian will supply the questions, listeners supply the content.
Indy Indy
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Much talked about, but seldom seen, “Indiana Jones: the Adaptation” makes its New York debut as part of the Brooklyn Underground Film Festival this weekend. Filmmaker Chris Strompolos and his friends recreated, shot for shot, the blockbuster movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark” over the course of their adolescence and into adulthood. Also on the bill, New York Press film critic Matt Zoller Seitz’s made-in-Brooklyn independent feature “Home.”
Courting Foreigners
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
When the Supreme Court banned the death penalty for juveniles last month, the opinion noted our country was one of the few countries still to have such a punishment. The US often looks abroad for inspiration, but a debate is running over whether other countries should influence our courts. Also, democratizing music: A lexicon of Rock knowledge.
Home Grown
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Are today’s politics laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s “Timothy McVeighs”? On the 10th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center looks at the continuing threat of home-grown terrorism. Also: the latest from the Vatican.
Floats Like A Butterfly, Stings Like A Bee
Monday, April 18, 2005
Airs weekdays at 10AM
Filmmaker Dan Klores’ new documentary Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story focuses on the welterweight boxer who in 1962 threw a series of hard blows to the standing champion, Benny "Kid" Paret that ultimately killed him.
The Mighty Pen
Friday, April 15, 2005
"The Power of the Pen: Does Writing Change Anything?" is the title of a reading by world-renowned authors during the PEN World Voices festival that starts Saturday. Three of the readers, Salman Rushdie, Antonio Muoz Molina and Ha Jin, explore that question and offer their views on the interplay of politics and literature.
Reading Project: Who Defended the Country?
Thursday, April 14, 2005
In her essay, “Who Defended the Country?” Harvard professor Elaine Scarry looks at how we were, and weren’t able to defend ourselves from the 9/11 hijackers. She compares the group of citizens aboard United Airlines flight 93 who, at the cost of their lives, defended those on the ground with the U.S. Military which was unable to defend its headquarters against the attackers aboard Flight 77. Read the essay (under Readings) and join in the discussion during the show. Email us your response
The Tax Man Cometh
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Just in time for the April 15th tax deadline, former commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and author Charles Rossotti gives his insider’s view of the agency everyone loves to hate, including the effects of the anti-tax movement on the IRS and the controversial alternative minimum tax.
Lady Jane
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Tuesday on the Brian Lehrer Show, actress, activist and workout guru Jane Fonda discusses her life so far, including her controversial trip to Vietnam at the height of the war which inflamed many returning veterans, and her current work surrounding adolescent reproductive health.
In My Backyard
Monday, April 11, 2005
"Desperate Housewives" is just the latest to offer up a depiction of the "seamy" side of suburban life. Writer D.J. Waldie takes issue with that view in his memoir of the California working class tract development where he grew up, and lives to this day.
Black and Red
Friday, April 08, 2005
The movie, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" got drubbed by the critics, who then got drubbed by the fans of the film in turn. Guest host Marty Goldensohn will speak with a Boston film critic on the backlash over the hit movie's bad reviews. Also: Bernard Henri-Levy, a modern-day Tocqueville and William Grimes offers his "taxonomy" of memoirs.
Religious Evolution
Thursday, April 07, 2005
On the next Brian Lehrer Show, the history and future of Islam. Reza Aslan, scholar of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies discusses his book No god but God and why he thinks we are in the midst of the Islamic Reformation. Also: 16-year-olds who want to vote in City elections.
Mommy Maddest
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Author Judith Warner follows up on Betty Friedan’s “Feminine Mystique” with a wake-up call for modern mothers in “Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety.” She joins guest host Sarah Crichton to talk about how society’s overwhelming expectations and underwhelming support are enough to drive a mother mad.
Flat is the New Round
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
With the end of the Cold War and the rapid advancement in software capabilities, national borders and long distances aren’t the impediments to globalization they once were. Pulitzer-prize winning New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman joins guest host Mario Murillo to talk about his new book, "The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century."
Righting Human Rights
Monday, April 04, 2005
With Libya, Cuba and Sudan among the countries having served on the U.N. Human Rights Commission, critics have called the panel a mockery. Former High Commissioner Mary Robinson joins guest host Errol Louis to talk about international human rights and Kofi Annan’s plans to reform the U.N.
Principled
Friday, April 01, 2005
11 years ago PENCIL (Public Education Needs Civic Involvement in Learning) started the Principal For A Day program creating a partnership between the business community and public schools. The program pairs the specific resources of business leaders with specific needs of public schools. Today how a nonprofit and a businessman have affected Truman High School in the Bronx.
Windows 
Windows 
Windows 
Search current and archival WNYC broadcasts. More
Start your Amazon shopping on WNYC.org and a portion of your total purchase goes to WNYC.
- The Brian Lehrer Show: How to Go to College for Almost Free (July 15, 2008)
- The Brian Lehrer Show: The Color of Satire (July 15, 2008)
- The Brian Lehrer Show: Making green in green markets? (July 18, 2008)
- The Leonard Lopate Show: Drink Tips for Summer Grilling (July 18, 2008)
- The Leonard Lopate Show: Please Explain: Hamburgers (July 11, 2008)