The Brian Lehrer Show Archive
January 2007
Wholly Moses
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
We revisit the legacy of Robert Moses as three New York City museums are collaborating to remember New York’s 20th Century Master Builder. We ask what lessons we can learn from Moses’ successes and failures with guests ranging from critical biographer Robert Caro to activist Majora Carter. Plus, congressman Gregory Meeks talks race and we hear a preview of the New York State budget.
Blood Ties
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
You know how Amadou Diallo died after coming to this country, but did you know about the death of Jesse Thyne, an American killed in Diallo’s home country, Guinea? On our next program, Kadiatou Diallo, mother of Amadou— and like a mother to Jesse Thyne —talks about her two sons. Also, Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich, and author Barbara Ehrenreich on the history of collective joy.
Food for Thought
Monday, January 29, 2007
Mayor Bloomberg proposed to reform the juvenile justice system in his State of the City address. Today, thousands of non-violent juvenile delinquents from the city are being housed in detention facilities upstate. We’ll discuss what’s wrong with the system—and how to change it. Also, the latest from Washington on Monday Morning Politics, and writer Michael Pollan explains how science has ruined the way we eat.
A Greener New York?
Friday, January 26, 2007
Today we're joined by guest host Mario Murillo. New York Magazine this week says New York is way behind Chicago and other cities at preventing global warming. Writer Chris Smith will challenge Mayor Bloomberg to do better. Also, writer David Valdes Greenwood, author of Homo Domesticus: Notes from a Same-Sex Marriage.
Chuck and Balance
Thursday, January 25, 2007
In his new book, New York Senator Chuck Schumer challenges his own Democratic Party to reconnect with America’s middle class. Also, how Money Changes Everything – for better or for worse.
Houses on the Hill
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi talks about her new HBO documentary on American evangelicals—and on having her mom become Speaker of the House. Also: reaction to President Bush’s State of the Union address from guests, including linguist George Lakoff; former governor Christie Todd Whitman; and you, our listeners. Also a call-in for Muslims on Thomas Friedman's call for an Islamic M.L.K.
Redistribution of Health
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
In his State of the Union speech, President Bush will reportedly propose a new tax on the best health insurance benefits to help cover the uninsured. Good idea? We’ll have a debate. And, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. talks about his new book and PBS special on finding Oprah’s roots, and finding your own.
Divestment for Darfur
Monday, January 22, 2007
While genocide is taking place in Darfur, should American pension funds and endowments stop investing in companies that do business in Sudan? A divestment movement is gaining steam, but some in the business lobby oppose it. Plus, Monday Morning Politics with the Washington Post’s Thomas Ricks and Eoin Callan from the Financial Times, and the crackdown on mixtapes.
Up and Down the Hill
Friday, January 19, 2007
On our next program, the second “Hundred Hours” of the Democratic Congress: Nancy Pelosi and the House of Representatives have passed all six bills in the first “100 Hours” agenda – what comes next? Village Voice gossip columnist Michael Musto discusses his new book. A discussion about under secretary of defense Charles Stimson's criticism of pro bono work on behalf of Guantanamo detainees. Also, listener calls about Stephen Colbert selling out, and cheerleaders rooting on female sports teams.
Cities and Nations
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Author and satirist P.J. O’Rourke takes a fresh look at a book that changed the world—Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations.” Also, your reactions to Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City address, and former Israeli government spokesman Zev Chafets on the relationship between Jews and evangelicals.
Train of Thought
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
We’ll take listeners’ calls and talk about our mass transit past and our mass transit future and Lee Sander, Governor Spitzer’s new appointee to head the MTA. Also, find out about “Under the Radar” theater, before it gets big. Plus, listener's choice for the Democratic presidential candidate, and what do Ahmadinejad and Chavez really have in common?
The First 100 Hours: Oil Company Subsidies
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The House resumes its “First 100 Hours” agenda after the Martin Luther King holiday and still to come is a rollback of subsidies to the major oil companies. We debate that bill and continue to follow the drama of the new Democratic Congress and the Bush Administration.
Annual Martin Luther King Tribute
Monday, January 15, 2007
For Martin Luther King Day, it’s our annual one-minute readings about any ethnic group other than your own. This is one way we pay tribute to Dr. King, with a minute of a poem, a novel, a history book, a memoir, a website, a magazine--anything at all—as long as it’s a one-minute reading about any ethnic group other than your own. And we hope you’ll take part! Also: NPR correspondent Juan Williams and Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer David Garrow.
Getting In
Friday, January 12, 2007
A look at the college admissions sweepstakes from both sides: we hear admissions counselors from two local high schools, public and private, and admissions officers from City College and M.I.T., to see if kids are getting the advice they need. Also, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) reacts to President Bush's new Iraq strategy; and writer and activist Kevin Powell on manhood, nationalism and Martin Luther King.
Iraq My Brains
Thursday, January 11, 2007
In his prime time speech, President Bush called for an increase in US troops in Iraq. We'll get military analysis of the new strategy and get a response from local members of Congress. Also: a call-in for parents who adopted as a first choice.
Governors Galore
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
After Governor Corzine’s State of the State address we’ll ask what do New Jerseyans get for their property taxes? Would they live with fewer services for fewer dollars? Or do they want the state to pick up more of the tab? Also, outgoing Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, now considering a run at the Republican presidential nomination and New Jersey’s Governor-for-a-day, Kris Kolluri. Plus, ABC News' Mark Halperin previews the President's speech.
Commission Accomplished?
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Democratic-controlled House plans to adopt the final 9/11 Commission proposals. The proposals would change the formula for Homeland Security funding, but what will it mean for New York? Also: neocon scholar Robert Kagan makes the case for a troop surge in Iraq.
Police Practices
Monday, January 08, 2007
The NYPD has hired the RAND Corporation to look at the phenomenon of “contagious shooting”. in light of the death of Sean Bell. We’ll look at the phenomenon and how it may have contributed to his death. Also: Monday morning politics with NY Times guest columnist, Thomas Edsall.
More coverage of the Sean Bell case from the Brian Lehrer Show
First Days
Friday, January 05, 2007
It’s day two of the Democratic Congress and the party is trying to implement an ambitious agenda. Find out how the first 100 hours program is going. Also, Eliot Spitzer continues to unveil his plans for reform as he enters his fifth day in office. We’ll break down some of the new proposals. Plus: the causes of our winterless winter.
Starting Big
Thursday, January 04, 2007
From a $6 billion property tax cut to a constitutional amendment for stem cell research, Gov. Spitzer’s State of the State address was long on big ideas. We’ll look at the details and get listeners’ reactions. Also, the state of New York real estate prices; obsolescence and electronic waste: Where do your old computers and cell phones go to die and what does it mean for the environment?
Race and Space
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
We’ll explore a question raised by the Sean Bell shooting: Can black police officers be racist? Two of the shooters on the Bell case were black and two others were also non-white, leading to a different kind of debate about the role of race. Also, astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson, on his new book Death by Black Hole and why he thinks science and religion can get along; plus, a survey of Republican presidential hopefuls, and Eugene Robinson on the execution of Saddam Hussein.
Tuesday Morning Politics
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
It’s a new year, New York has a new governor and nationally, the 110th Congress convenes on Thursday. Analysis of Eliot Spitzer’s first day on the job and a preview of the new session on Capitol Hill with freshman Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand.
In With The New
Monday, January 01, 2007
For the new year, we begin in the married couple’s home with Esther Perel, author of “Mating in Captivity,” then move on to the movie theater with legendary indie film producer Christine Vachon, then live coverage of Eliot Spitzer’s inaugural address.
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