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On Demand

The Brian Lehrer Show

Thursday, September 14, 2006
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    Murder by Numbers

    The Justice Department says that violent crime is beginning to go up, after years of decline nationwide. But is it also true in the New York area? We’ll crunch numbers and take your calls. Also: We talk with the creators behind the new graphic adaptation of the 9/11 Report, discuss legislation that would fine bike riders who shun helmets, and meet the creator of presidential hopeful Mark Warner's avatar.

Murder by Numbers

Al Blumstein, professor of Criminology and Operations research at the Heinz School of Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon
and
Bob Hennelly, WNYC reporter
-discuss the cause and effect behind the recent crime statistics released by the Justice Department

Redrawing Disaster

Sid Jacobson former editor-in-chief of Harvey Comics
and
Ernie Colon comic artist at Harvey, Marvel, and DC Comics
co-creators of The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation (Hill and Wang 2006)
- discuss the challenges of putting images to the words of the 9/11 Report.

» The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation at Slate
» The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Wheeling and Dealing

Noah Budnick, programs director of transportation alternatives
- on alternative means of transport in New York
and
Iris Weinshall , New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner
- on the city's effort to make biking in New York safe

» NYC Department of Transportation website
» Transportation Alternatives website

Virtual Politicking

Reuben Steiger, CEO/Founder of the company Millions of US, who produced the Mark Warner avatar
-explains how politics is moving into virtual reality

» Second Life website
» New World Notes about the Warner Second Life appearance
» Millions of US youtube video about Warner Second Life appearance

Uncommon Indicators

The Brian Lehrer Show

The Brian Lehrer Show wants to hear how the economy is affecting the little things in your daily life. Share your stories and photos of the downturn.

Just Launched! The Uncommon Economic Indicators Video Contest. All the details here!

The Rocky Road Ahead

The Brian Lehrer Show

Ray Young, the chief financial officer of General Motors, talks about GM’s bankruptcy.

Then, Damon Lester, president of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, and Greg Williams, former owner of the recently closed Huntington Chevrolet in Huntington Station, NY., discusses the effect GM’s bankruptcy has had on dealerships and their employees.

Tweet If You Use Twitter

The Brian Lehrer Show

Farhad Manjoo, Slate's technology columnist and the author of True Enough: Learning To Live in a Post-Fact Society talks about what Twitter means and how different groups use it.

What's your take on Twitter? How do you use it? Comment below!

Don't Say That, Literally

The Brian Lehrer Show

John Flansburgh of the band They Might Be Giants discusses the running list the band keeps of "things we can no longer say." (a few examples: "my bad" "don't go there" "one hundred and ten percent" and "voted off the island")

What would be on your list of banned words or phrases? Comment below!

From Denmark with Love

The Brian Lehrer Show

Jesper Grunwald, senior managing editor with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, talks about the Danish economy, biking to work, and why the Danes are allegedly the happiest people in the world.

Squatting, Then and Now

The Brian Lehrer Show

As former squats in the East Village make the transition to coops, making homes from abandoned housing is again an issue. Andrew Reicher executive director of Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, Frank Morales an Episcopal priest involved in East Village/Lower East Side squatting and homelessness activism since the late '70s, and Rob Robinson, a leader of the Housing Campaign of Picture the Homeless, discuss the return of squatting.

Video Picks

The Brian Lehrer Show

Check out some recent video clips of interviews with guests and Brian Lehrer's weekly Web video picks.