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On Demand

The Brian Lehrer Show

Friday, July 27, 2007
  • Bad Rap for Pit Bulls?
    Bad Rap for Pit Bulls? (Vu Prime/flickr)

    Identity Politics

    A City Council member proposes to offer New York City ID cards to undocumented immigrants to allow them to get city services more easily. New Haven’s already doing it, but should the government be enabling people here illegally and would it make them more vulnerable to deportation? Also, your reactions to the website and TV show, “Hot Ghetto Mess;” we follow up on the Spitzer "troopergate" controversy, and ask if pit bulls are inherently vicious.

    We're counting on you! to help us get a snapshot of SUV use in the New York area. Go outside your house or building, and count the number of SUVs and total number of cars. Post the results in this comment page and we'll talk about the results next week. (Read the full instructions.)

Identity Politics

New Haven just started a controversial program to issue city I.D. cards that undocumented immigrants can use. Now, New York City council member Hiram Monserratte wants to do the same for immigrants in the city. We talk to the council member about his plan, and to WNPR's Lucy Nalpathanchil about the New Haven initiative.

The "Mess" at BET

William Jelani Cobb, associate professor of history at Spelman College, contributing writer for Essence Magazine and the author of The Devil and Dave Chappelle: And Other Essays (Avalon, 2007) and Cora Daniels, journalist and the author of Ghetto Nation: A Journey into the Land of Bling and the Home of the Shameless (Doubleday, 2007), react to the controversy over the new BET television show “We Got to Do Better” based on the website "Hot Ghetto Mess.”

William Jelani Cobb's website
Cora Daniels' website

Following Up: Investigating "Troopergate"

State Senator Tom Duane (D West Manhattan) is the ranking minority member on the Senate Investigations Committee. He explains why he has requested that the investigation of the Governor's aides be referred to the State Ethics Commission.

Following Up: The Role of the Albany Times Union in "Troopergate"

The state Ethics Commission has opened an investigation into the Spitzer administration after the attorney general found governor's aides wrongly misused state police to discredit Senator Bruno in the Albany Times Union. But how complicit is the paper in the scandal? We speak with Albany Times Union Editor, Rex Smith, and Kelly McBride, Ethics Group Leader at the Poynter Institute.

Kelly McBride's Profile
Columns by Rex Smith

Following Up: Bad Rap for Pit Bulls?

Our coverage earlier in the week of the dog fighting charges brought against Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick provoked the question: Are pit bulls inherently vicious? ASPCA senior vice president Randall Lockwood addresses the issue.

ASPCA Pit Bull Information

Following Up: Comment and Caller of the Week

A look back at some of the best contributions to the show from listeners this week in response to the following segments:

Is The Simpson's Apu a racist character?
Are Spoilers Ever OK?
Edwards v. Obama on the Inner City

30 Issues in 30 Days

The Brian Lehrer Show

Once again, 30 Issues in 30 Days is taking on the election season by going beyond the horse race and examining the real issues that are at stake for the people of New York and New Jersey in the Mayoral and Gubernatorial contest. See the schedule and help craft the segments at the 30 Issues Wiki!

Michael Moore on Brian's 20th Anniversary

The Brian Lehrer Show

Live from the Greene Space: Michael Moore talks about his new documentary, Capitalism: A Love Story and Brian celebrates the 20 year anniversary of The Brian Lehrer Show.

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.

Help us map abandoned lots, stalled construction and unsold condos.

Digesting Politics

Brian, Bob, and Andrea

WNYC's political team of Brian Lehrer, Bob Hennelly, and Andrea Bernstein talk politics and more over lunch each week. Hear the latest episode and subscribe to the podcast here!

Video Picks

The Brian Lehrer Show

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