The Brian Lehrer Show Archive
July 2005
Two People Shorten the Road
Friday, July 29, 2005
After 30 years of violence the Irish Republican Army has decided to lay down its arms. As of yesterday afternoon the IRA formally ordered an end to its armed campaign to pursue "exclusively peaceful means". Former US Senator George Mitchell helped broker the 1998 Peace agreement in Northern Ireland and discusses the motivations behind this dramatic act.
Paper Trail
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Recently released documents have shed light on John Robert’s legal history. Among the cases he worked on as a young lawyer, Roberts pushed for a limited role for the Supreme Court on hot button issues, like death penalty cases. What do the documents reveal about what kind of justice he would become, and what documents are not being released? the New Yorker’s Jeffrey Toobin explains.
The View from One Police Plaza
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
When the NYPD announced random bag checks in the subways, it timed the new policy to coincide with increased fear of terrorist attacks. Police spokesman Paul Browne says the checks are not only necessary, but also consistent with the Fourth Amendment.
De-Metaphoring a Metaphor
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
General Richard Myers has called for the dumping of the term “war on terror”, and in recent speeches, administration officials have spoken instead of a “global struggle against violent extremism”. Could the semantic change make a real difference in the way we fight terrorism?
Citizen Aguilar
Monday, July 25, 2005
On November 25th 2002 the Department of Homeland Security was established. Integrated within the organization are various government agencies including immigration. Monday on the Brian Lehrer Show Alfonso Aguilar, the first head of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services speaks about civic responsibilities of new citizens and the organization's New Immigrant Orientation Guide.
Questioning Mental Illness
Friday, July 22, 2005
Decades ago, psychiatrist Thomas Szasz shocked the mental health establishment by suggesting that mental illness is a myth devised to stigmatize individuals for their unacceptable behavior. Despite the advent of Prozac and Zoloft, the idea still has its supporters.
Hard Labor
Thursday, July 21, 2005
When John Sweeney was elected head of the AFL-CIO a decade ago, labor activists had high hopes that he could rejuvenate American Unions. But heading into a convention in Chicago next week, Sweeney faces an insurrection from old friends at SEIU who say he hasn’t done enough.
Slamming Part Deux
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Get your voice heard on the Brian Lehrer Show! After the success of last week’s commentary slam, Brian and columnist Errol Louis listen to and evaluate your ninety second commentaries on any subject whatsoever. Also: John Roberts, Supreme Court nominee.
Ailing Health Care
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Medicaid fraud and empty beds are two reasons health care is so expensive in New York. The new state committee charged with making hospitals and nursing homes more efficient is expected to close some of them. What created the hospital crisis, what can be done to fix them and why might New York City hospitals get the short end of the reform stick?
Believe the Hype
Monday, July 18, 2005
Children mobbed bookstores this weekend, determined to get their hands on J. K. Rowling’s latest creation. Sure, Harry is hyped, says writer Bill Virgin, but the phenomenon is how little work the marketers had to do. Are there lessons in that for other products?
Anatomy of a Bombing
Friday, July 15, 2005
Last week’s bombing in the London tube station left at least 52 people dead. Over the weekend at least 23 people were killed in Baghdad while waiting to volunteer in the army. While we have analyzed the bombings in London the countless deaths in Iraq don’t get much notice.
Slam!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Get your voice heard on the Brian Lehrer Show. Today the second hour of the show will be dedicated to our listeners and their opinions. Call in with your ninety second op-ed on anything, prizes will be awarded to those who reflect original thinking, creative writing and persuasiveness. Also, Doug Forrester Republican candidate for Governor in New Jersey.
Hot for Housing
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Last week's Pace Poll of likely Democratic voters showed that they are almost 9 times more worried about housing costs than taxes. Everyone wants affordable housing, but what policies will bring it about?
Subways and Sub Woes
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
In 2002 the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority completed an assessment of potential threats to the city’s transportation infrastructure. Over two years later only about $30 million of the $600 million dollars committed to the project has actually been spent. Less than a week after the attacks on the London transportation system New Yorkers are questioning whether their subway system is next.
Triumph and Tragedy
Monday, July 11, 2005
It has been said that the only thing assured in life is change. In the last week Britons went from celebrating the Live 8 concert, hosting the G 8 Summit, to winning the 2012 bid for the Olympics, to being hit with multiple bombings in the London transportation system. Monday on the Brian Lehrer Show The Economist’s Adrian Wooldridge examines the results of the G 8 Summit, the effects of terrorism on George Bush’s allies and the potential of Chief Rehnquist’s resignation.
Another Vision for the Atlantic Yards
Friday, July 08, 2005
A dark horse proposal has emerged as a bidder for the Atlantic Rail Yards site in Brooklyn. Rather than the 60-story high rises and a basketball arena proposed by Forrest City Ratner, Extell wants to build 28-story apartment buildings and no stadium.
London Attacks: A Global Perspective
Thursday, July 07, 2005
With today’s bomb blasts, London has joined the company of New York, Madrid and Istanbul and other cities that are the recent sites of terror attacks. Newsweek International’s Fareed Zakaria and others analyze the rapidly developing situation.
Polling New York Democrats
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
The results of a Pace University Poll conducted in cooperation with WNYC are in. They reveal high favorable numbers for Mayor Bloomberg among likely Democratic voters, but unease about the state of the city’s economy.
Bigger Fish to Fry
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Iraqis have five weeks to write their constitution if they hope to get it done on time. But Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer says the country is too fractured to write permanent laws, and should put off the drafting process indefinitely.
Americana the Beautiful
Monday, July 04, 2005
American Gothic, the Grant Wood painting of a farm couple and their pitchfork has become a classic image of Americana. Former Metropolitan Museum of Art Director Thomas Hoving has written a "biography" of the painting.
Howard Beach Revisited
Friday, July 01, 2005
Brooklyn D.A. Charles Hynes came to prominence as the special prosecutor in the 1986 racially motivated attack of three black men by a gang of white youths. He’ll discuss the latest hate crime in Howard Beach and how the first one changed the city. Plus, the best and worst of summer movies.
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