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The Brian Lehrer Show Archive


March 2006

O’Connor’s Eisenhower Moment?

Friday, March 31, 2006

In a speech this month, ex-Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor warned that “dictatorship” could eventually result if Republican attacks on the judiciary intensify. Bloggers instantly hailed her remarks as suggestive of President Eisenhower’s “Beware the Military/Industrial Complex” speech. Also,


Fueling a Movement

Thursday, March 30, 2006

As the movement for alternative energy sources gains traction, economies in the heartland are bracing for a windfall. How will ethanol change Middle America and bring progressive politics to the region? Plus: Eliot Spitzer’s running mate for Lt. Governor, State Senator David Paterson.


Share and Share Alike

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Last month, shareholder pressure almost caused the breaking up of the Time Warner Corporation. We’ve seen the imperial CEO for some time, but is increased corporate democracy leading to the rise of the imperial shareholder? Plus Israeli consul general, Arye Mekel on the outcome of the Israeli elections and what it means in a post-Sharon era.


Bird Brain

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Remember Pale Male, the red-tailed hawk who nearly lost his nest atop of a swanky Fifth Avenue apartment building? Hawks are just one of the scores of bird species that call Central Park home. The biggest patch of green for miles around, the park is considered one of the premier bird-watching sites on the East Coast. Also: Andy Card resigns, Karen Armstrong on world religions, and a proposal for a new Yankee Stadium.


Monday Morning Politics

Monday, March 27, 2006

The Senate will weigh in on competing immigration measures this week bringing the issue to a boil in an election year. Brian talks Monday Morning Politics with NPR’s Juan Williams and The Christian Science Monitor's Dante Chinni and later asks two State lawmakers if they can pass an on-time budget. Plus: Tom Tomorrow with a new collection of anti-Republican cartoons, the New York state budget, and your calls


The Straight Dope

Friday, March 24, 2006

Giants left fielder Barry Bonds holds the record for the most home runs in a single season, but his reputation is in tatters. In 2004, two reporters published an account of how Bonds relied on a complicated program of performance-enhancing steroids. Now they’ve published a book on doping in sports. Also: Florida's merit-pay initiative, Freud and antidepressants, and your calls.


Wireless and Clueless?

Thursday, March 23, 2006

The more internet users opt for the convenience of wireless net access, the more questions there are about security. Just how safe is it to send credit card information over a wi-fi connection and is it okay to use a neighbor’s access? Find out how to practice safe wi-fi. As some municipalities turn their whole cities into wireless hotspots these concerns are expected to increase. Plus: Why Mark Green thinks he should take Elliot Spitzer’s job.


Shanley’s Moral Maze

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Bronx-born playwright John Patrick Shanley is back. In the 2004 hit “Doubt”, he imagined a conflict between a priest and a nun over allegations of sexual abuse. In his new play, “Defiance”, Shanley examines an argument between marine officers at a North Carolina base in 1971.


The $75 Solution

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Albany has a reputation as an arena for no-holds-barred lobbying. So when the head of the New York Lobbying Commission recently decided to interpret a $75 cap on gifts to apply on a yearly basis, rather than on a per-gift basis, he threw the state capitol’s political culture into tailspin.


It’s a Man’s World

Monday, March 20, 2006

Margaret Thatcher has it, as does Humphrey Bogart. On the next Brian Lehrer Show: A look at the importance of manliness, as one author sees it. How it differs from masculinity and why he thinks manly qualities are dismissed in society. Plus: Monday morning politics, self help and your calls.


They're Not Called Green Cards For Nothing

Friday, March 17, 2006

In the debate on immigration reform, most people think of Asians and Latin Americans. But recent rallies held by an Irish lobby group are getting major media attention and drawing appearances by prominent US Senators. 78% of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the US are from Latin America so why is an older generation of immigrants getting so much attention? Plus: a look at the city’s most diverse stretch of land – Queens Boulevard, the planned US-Iran summit on Iraq's political future, and your weekend plans.

Today's Guest Host:
» Daljit Dhaliwal


Witless for the Prosecution?

Thursday, March 16, 2006

The judge overseeing the Zacarias Moussaoui case has said "in all my years on the bench, I've never seen a more egregious violation of the rule about witnesses." When a federal lawyer broke protocol in talking with a witness, did she doom the high-profile prosecution?

Today's Guest Host: Daljit Dhaliwal


Culture Club

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Economists often argue that the richer a society gets, the more secular it becomes. New York Times columnist David Brooks says this view is growing out of fashion as cultural differences become more pronounced the more educated and wealthier people become. Plus: Two views on Silverstein's plans for Ground Zero, NJ lawmaker's bid to curb online anonymity, and calls on whether homosexuality runs in the family.


Pride Goeth Before A Fall?

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

After September 11, 2001, neocon philosopher Francis Fukuyama signed his name to a letter urging President Bush to overthrow Saddam Hussein. But with Iraq now teetering on the brink of civil war, Fukuyama says the neoconservative movement was fundamentally mistaken about what America could achieve in the Middle East. Plus: Michael Gordon on damning claims about military decision before the Iraq war; a neocon reconsiders his views; and a call-in about Pi day


Inch by Inch

Monday, March 13, 2006

A union manufacturing job used to guarantee entry to the middle class. Now as Caterpillar and other profitable companies pay new employees less than the current ones for the same work that piece of the social contract is being rewritten. Also, Garry Wills on his new book What Jesus Meant and why religion and politics don’t mix. Plus: "Monday Morning Politics."


Depleted Vets

Friday, March 10, 2006

Some Iraqi war veterans are suing the Pentagon over health problems they say are caused by depleted uranium. A scientist, a politician and a military man all weigh in on what some are calling the new Agent Orange. Plus, Debra Galant, the former Suburban Life columnist for The New York Times, will talk about her new novel set in the New Jersey suburbs; former New Jersey governor Jim Florio and Forbes.com editor David Andelman the latest on the Dubai Ports World deal; and listener calls on television: the good, the bad and why bad is sometimes better.


Sada on Saddam

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Georges Sada, a spokesman for the Prime Minister of Iraq, is a former general in Saddam Hussein's air force. He talks about surviving the old regime, his hopes for Iraq’s future and his claims that Saddam shipped WMD to Syria prior to the invasion. Also, The Atlantic Monthly's language maven Barbara Wallraff on words that don't exist, but should; the Civilian Complaint Review Board report on the RNC; and the new system for assigning schools to kindergarteners.


When Big Is Bad

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Law professor, Glenn Reynolds decided to brew his own beer when he was unhappy with the major companies’ offerings. He applied that sense of individualism to journalism and started his own blog, Instapundit. Now he’s one of the most well-known "citizen journalists." He says this David versus Goliath model is having a lasting impact on society. Plus: the inventor of the flash mobs reveals his identity and the results of a pointless social experiment; new legislation to require employers to provide health insurance in New York; South Dakota tests the new balance on the Supreme Court by outlawing abortions; and should steroids and other "enhancements" for athletes be allowed?


Got Ideas?

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Bob Dole (R-KS) and George McGovern (D-SD) have joined forces to help fight hunger in the nation's schools with the "Got Breakfast?" campaign. We'll get their take on that and other top issues, including Senator Dole's role as a lobbyist for Dubai Ports World. Plus, allegations of bid-rigging involving New York City Central Labor Council president Brian McLaughlin, an appreciation of newspaper obituaries, and listeners call in about the politics of anger.


Monday Morning Politics

Monday, March 06, 2006

As the Dubai ports world deal continues to rankle Washington, politicians are still picking sides. We talk Monday morning politics with with Knight Ridder’s Jonathan Landay and Newsweek’s Nisid Hajari. We’ll also look at the President's nuclear deal with India. Plus: highlights and lowlights of this year’s Oscar speeches; and look at whether more choices mean more freedom with Orlando Patterson and Barry Schwartz.


Detention Tension

Friday, March 03, 2006

Detainees at Guantanamo Bay who went on hunger strike recently claim the tactics the Government used to keep them alive amounted to torture. Two lawyers for some of the detainees recently came back from the detention center and report on their conditions. Plus: the case for impeaching the president; stories from the StoryCorps mobile booth; and listener calls on experiences in the Peace Corps.


Here and There

Thursday, March 02, 2006

The Whitney Biennial is back, this year with a more international perspective on contemporary American Art. Co-curators Chrissie Iles and Philippe Vergne talk about what “American art” means in a global age and what the common threads they see in today’s diverse forms of artistic expression. Also: an update on the Dubai Ports World deal; does New York need an independent child advocate; and a call-in on how Pakistanis view President Bush.


Exit Interview

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Farnaz Fassihi has covered the Iraq war from Bagdhad for the Wall Street Journal for the past three years and is now stationed in Beirut. She’ll offer her take on the recent outbreak of sectarian violence in Iraq and on covering the Middle East as an Iranian-American. Plus: the creators of the website » Overheard in New York have compiled some of the best of New Yorkers’ eavesdroppings in a new book and is that new ipod you just bought designed to only last two years? And a call in on Bush's popularity in India.