wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

Program Schedule

Topics

The Brian Lehrer Show Archive


March 2007

Beyond Iraq

Friday, March 30, 2007

The Democrats are making waves by opposing the war in Iraq. But do they have a coherent foreign policy aside from that war? Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright answers the question and talks about her book, The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs. Also: Radio Rookie Rocky Tayeh explains why he opted for weight loss surgery; "burning" questions about garbage; and the downfall of American Idol?


Pushing and Pulling

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Even as Congress sets deadlines for troop withdrawals from Iraq, the new surge is on. We will look at how to measure success in the new military push. Also, the design and psychology of contemporary lighting; a “sound map” of New York; the Jazz producer, Nobuko Narita; and are we becoming a Ghetto Nation?


Another Story

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The StoryCorps project captures the nation’s history through individual stories. Hear excerpts from StoryCorps Griot, a new initiative gathering the stories of African Americans. Plus: New York's new budget agreement; the People's Hall of Fame; following up on the NYPD surveillance; and why is DirecTV upsetting out-of-town fans of Major League Baseball -- like Senator John Kerry?


The Baby Borough

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

There’s a baby boom in Manhattan. According to the latest census figures, white families earning more than $300,000 a year are driving that growth. But the median income of black and Hispanic families is just $25,000. What do these figures say about the makeup of the city and why is the boom happening now? Plus: Rebecca Walker on choosing motherhood after a lifetime of ambivalence.


Taking History Personally

Monday, March 26, 2007

In his new book, Cultural Amnesia: Necessary Memories from History and the Arts, culture critic Clive James recalls how 20th century totalitarianism threatened the creative mind. Also, it appears that John McCain is abandoning his support for a path to citizenship – we’ll look at illegal immigration as a force in the 2008 Republican presidential primaries.


Civil Wars

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Democratic Congress has been in session for nearly three months, and is still deeply divided over what to do about Iraq. On our next program, your calls about Congress and the war. Also: New Yorkers who fought in the Spanish Civil War.


Leave No Trace

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Colin Beavan of Manhattan is trying to leave no net impact on the environment. For one full year, Beavan and his family are trying to live environmentally neutral lives. Which means things like no television, no takeout, no laundry detergent…and no elevators. He explains his experiment on our next program—when he catches his breath after walking up 25 flights to the WNYC studios. Also: is race less of a factor for the so-called "Millennial Generation?"


G.I. Jane

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The effects of post traumatic stress syndrome on men are well-known. Now doctors are trying to understand how women vets deal with the psychological impact of fighting in Iraq. New York Times Magazine writer Sarah Corbett looks at the problems of women returning from war. Also: what the Sean Bell shooting says about the state of police community relations; and what it's like to grow up with Down syndrome.


Consumption Taxes

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The problem with our consumer culture is not just money and materialism -- Benjamin Barber argues that U.S.-style consumerism weakens our democracy. Also, writer Anne Lamott on her new book, Grace (Eventually); a discussion on police procedure and we look to debunk some urban legends.


The Grand Jury Says…

Monday, March 19, 2007

The grand jury has reached its decision in the Sean Bell case. The New York Times' Bob Herbert, the Daily News' Michael Goodwin and others offer analysis of the decision to indict some of the police officers involved in the November shooting, plus live coverage of the Queens District Attorney's press conference. Also, Connecticut Senator and presidential hopeful Christopher Dodd; and the week's politics with Michael Isikoff.

Ongoing coverage of the Sean Bell shooting


Get Your Irish Up

Friday, March 16, 2007

Charles Schumer is leading the charge among Democrats for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign over the US attorney scandal. Hear the senior senator from New York make his case. Plus: the pros and cons of marrying someone with similar status to you in the workplace and why trouble with sub-prime mortgages is dangerous for the housing market.


Deliberations

Thursday, March 15, 2007

A decision from the Queens grand jury looking into the police shooting of Sean Bell could come at any time. We'll get the latest on the case--including reports that a new witness allegedly stepped forward to say he saw a man with a gun fleeing the scene. Also: the author of From Hire to Liar on the (often positive) role of deception in the workplace.

For more on the Sean Bell case, visit here.


Tough Love

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Dubai Ports World was blocked from major operations here. Now, Halliburton is moving one of its headquarters to Dubai. Guest host Dean Meminger looks into what the latest move by one of America’s most controversial companies says about the firm, the oil industry and the global marketplace in the War on Terror world. Also, former Bronx Congressman Herman Badillo argues for more assimilation among Hispanic-Americans; restaurant inspections; and more on the federal prosecutors' firings.


Vitamin Statistics

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Vitamins are always good for you, right? Well, the recent women’s heart study findings indicate vitamin supplements are irrelevant to cardiac care, while other studies find too much of certain vitamins can pose a health risk. Hear two views on whether it’s worth buying vitamin pills. Also, the belief that many black children think studying is “acting white” – truth or urban legend?


Justice Talking

Monday, March 12, 2007

Chief Judge of the State of New York Judith Kaye has just been reconfirmed by the State Senate after 14 years on the job, and she’s about to launch a pilot program to make divorce cheaper and less acrimonious, at least in court. Kaye joins us to discuss this program and some of her other proposed judicial reforms. Also, Eduardo Geraldo from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Queens speaks about immigrant entrepreneurship in the 21st century.


Favorite Sun

Friday, March 09, 2007

Is Rudy Giuliani the favorite son of New York’s top Republicans? Newsday reports that Giuliani’s home state may be one of the stingiest in terms of support for the Republican presidential nomination. Two of his leading New York supporters, Congressmen Vito Fossella and Peter King, make their case for the former Mayor. Also, a call-in for immigrants on navigating the green card bureaucracy; and springing forward to save daylight – early.


Growing Pains

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Columbia University wants to expand into the Manhattanville section of West Harlem, but the plan is running into opposition. Lee Bollinger, the president of Columbia, makes his case. Also: Why polar bears might become the first endangered species due to global warming.


Sunnyside Up?

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Heads have rolled over the treatment of U.S. war casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq, but how will the treatment itself improve? On our next program, we’ll ask Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) of the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees. Also: the pros and cons of giving one Queens neighborhood landmark status; a preview of President Bush's trip to Latin America; the agreement on dealing with sex offenders; and what's next for Scooter Libby.


Where Art and Journalism Collide

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

News happens fast, but art usually takes longer. In P.S.1's "Emergency Room" 30 artists react to the news of each day. The organizer and two of the participants share their views on the artist's role in politics. Plus: Why U.S. attorneys are resigning prematurely.


Taxing Questions

Monday, March 05, 2007

Now that it’s March, it’s time to get serious about doing your taxes. On our next program, two tax experts will update us on what’s new in the tax law this year that might help you out or take a bigger bite. Also, how the Chinese Revolution changed Chinese cuisine, and Monday Morning Politics with Newsweek’s Richard Wolffe.


Counting Calories, Counting Lobbyists

Friday, March 02, 2007

Under pressure from the restaurant industry, the New York City Council may overturn the new Health Department rule that fast food chains must post the number of calories in their dishes. We get both sides. Also, immigration and domestic work in New York City; training NYPD undercover officers; tracking taxicabs; and lobbyists on your coffee table.

Watch our videos of Democratic Presidential candidate, John Edwards on YouTube


To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate

Thursday, March 01, 2007

States are debating whether to require girls be vaccinated against the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer. In the meantime, families have to decide whether to give the new vaccine to their daughters and even sons. We’ll go to a pediatrician for advice and take your calls. Also: the future of New York’s water, and freshman Congressman John Hall’s first proposed legislation is a call for tougher inspections of the Indian Point nuclear power plant; and a call in on plans to track taxis by satellite and to film clubgoers.