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The Brian Lehrer Show Archive


April 2008

Renter's Remorse

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

A new survey shows that more and more New Yorkers spend half their income on rent. With a looming economic downturn, what’s the future of apartment prices in the city? But speaking of an economic downturn, there may be a silver lining: your health may improve. Also, Kelly McMasters reflects on the environmental and social cost of a nuclear laboratory near her Long Island home-town. Plus, you’ve heard of live blogging, but what about live “poet-ing”?


We Need to See Some ID

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Supreme Court just upheld Indiana’s voter ID law. Will verified voting curb voter fraud, or will it discourage voter participation? Also: a look at Sustainable Streets, the city’s new strategic transportation plan, and writer/philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy on Darfur and the role of the artist in political advocacy.

What have you heard?
Tomorrow the Brian Lehrer Show observes the conclusion of National Poetry Month with a poet-in-residence-in-studio who’ll riff on what he hears on the air. Here’s how you can join in: email us a short poem about something you’ve heard discussed on the show in the last month, or so. Start each poem with the words “I heard” and email it to brianlehrershow@wnyc.org. Include your contact information as we might ask you to read it on air during tomorrow’s show.


Global Power

Monday, April 28, 2008

Can independent film change the world? On May 10th, the world will play host to Pangea Day: a collection of live music, lectures, and 24 indy short films. The creators of the event will be at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York this week. Plus "real local news" from Staten Island and Union Square.


Share the Real Local News: Tell us about the local story from your neighborhood that you think we should cover.


Not Guilty

Friday, April 25, 2008

The Not Guilty verdict in the trial of the three New York City police officers charged in the shooting death of Sean Bell was announced this morning. We take your calls, and hear from the courthouse, the classroom and the community. Also, Colson Whitehead, food remittances to Africa, and listener calls on race and voting.

More on the "Not Guilty" verdict in the Sean Bell case
Archive of WNYC's Sean Bell Coverage


Leave No Trace Behind

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Frank Abagnale got his fame from being a total fraud. Leonardo di Caprio portrayed him in the hit film Catch Me if You Can. He joins us to discuss ShredFest NYC and the importance of shredding unwanted documents. Plus: John Soloman is back to talk about emergency preparedness; and an inside look at Teach for America.

Add a picture of your Go Bag's comfort item to the WNYC Flickr Pool!

Share the Real Local News: Tell us about the local story from your neighborhood that you think we should cover.


Key(stone) to Victory?

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Pennsylvania has been dubbed the make or break state in the democratic bid for the White House. Was it worth the hype? WNYC's political director Andrea Bernstein breaks down Hillary Clinton's win in last night's Keystone State primary with Michael Hagen, associate professor of political science at Temple University, and Melissa Harris-Lacewell, associate professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton. They forecast what the results could mean for the candidates.

Bonus: Tomorrow, John Solomon will be back for one more discussion about emergency preparedness. We're opening the phones and the comments page for any and all questions you may have for him. Click here to post your questions for John in advance!

Share the Real Local News: Tell us about the local story from your neighborhood that you think we should cover.


City Living

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The various candidates have not made any sweeping proposals with regards to urban policy, but WNYC’s Andrea Bernstein has looked closely at their opinions nevertheless. She reports on her findings. Plus, our “How Do They Do It?” series continues with a look at how other cities try to be environmentally friendly. And, Jimmy Carter has met with Hamas - we get an update and reflect on the implications of the historic visit. Also John Dean and Barry Goldwater, Jr. on conservatism today.

Add a picture of your Go Bag's comfort item to the WNYC Flickr Pool!

Share the Real Local News: Tell us about the local story from your neighborhood that you think we should cover.


Character

Monday, April 21, 2008

Veteran politican journalist Michael Kinsley talks about politics, creating Slate.com, and his new book, Please Don't Remain Calm. And: we take a look at one New Jersey town trying to restrict the construction of McMansions.

Add a picture of your Go Bag's comfort item to the WNYC Flickr Pool!

Share the Real Local News: Tell us about the local story from your neighborhood that you think we should cover.


Hillary’s Wave

Friday, April 18, 2008

First wave feminists marched for the vote, the second wave went to the office, the third wave took back the night – has Hillary Clinton’s candidacy set off a fourth wave? Amanda Fortini writes in this week’s New York that young women watching Hillary Clinton’s reception on the campaign trail are reawakening to feminism. Also: Morgan Spurlock hunts Osama bin Laden; checking in on the Mayor’s anti-poverty campaign; and is kosher food cool?

Add a picture of your Go Bag's comfort item to the WNYC Flickr Pool!

Share the Real Local News: Tell us about the local story from your neighborhood that you think we should cover.


Kinky Gazpacho

Thursday, April 17, 2008

How is it that a black woman from Milwaukee, Wisconsin becomes obsessed with Spanish culture? And what happens when she finally travels the country and lives with a host family? Lori Tharps, author of the new memoir, Kinky Gazpacho, discusses her adventures and what she’s learned about Iberian attitudes towards race. Plus, can technology read your mind? And the Democrats are back at it: recaps and analysis of the latest debate.

Add a picture of your Go Bag's comfort item to the WNYC Flickr Pool!

Share the News in Your 'Hood: Tell us about the local story from your neighborhood that you think we should cover.


Riding the Green Line

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is considering several new eco-friendly initiatives, from growing grass on top of bus depots to using more hybrid vehicles. MTA chief Lee Sander discusses how he hopes to make public transportation greener and greener. Plus, the fortune cookie is Japanese? Jennifer 8. Lee recounts her adventures in American Chinese food.

Add a picture of your Go Bag's comfort item to the WNYC Flickr Pool!


Kernels of Truth

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Douglas Feith was one of the architects of the Iraq War. He talks to Brian about his role in the war and his new book, War and Decision: Inside the Pentagon at the Dawn of the War on Terrorism. And: a new documentary takes a look at how some industrialized nations provide universal health care. And what happens when two urbanites move to Iowa to grow an acre of corn?


Papal Issues

Monday, April 14, 2008

Pope Benedict visits the United States for the first time this week. Peter Steinfels, who writes the “Beliefs” column for the New York Times, previews the trip and takes stock of Catholicism in the United States. Plus, new cell phones with GPS can tell your friends your location – but what kind of privacy are you giving up in return?


Celebrating Immigrants

Friday, April 11, 2008

Next week, New York celebrates its 5th annual Immigrant Heritage Week. Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Guillermo Linares talks about the services New York offers immigrants and the issues they face. Plus, a single dad writes struggles to maintain family life and a love life; and will trade dispute over wire hangers mean more expensive dry cleaning?

Add a picture of your Go Bag's comfort item to the WNYC Flickr Pool!


Rice Riots

Thursday, April 10, 2008

The price of food— especially rice —is soaring globally, while deadly food riots are breaking out in several countries. We take a look at what countries are affected—and why. Also: our next installment with our emergency preparedness guru takes a look at what to put in your “go bag.”


Nap Strategies Project - Wraps Up Today!
The benefits of sleep are widely touted, but how to catch up during the workday? Today's your last chance to take part in the latest Brian Lehrer Show crowd-sourcing project and send us your "nap strategy"!


Where There's Smoke...

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

The Olympics are meant to bring the world together. And so, as the Summer Games approach, the world unites… in protest against China. We go live to San Francisco for the Olympic torch’s bumpy journey through the Bay Area. And writers Lee Siegel and Nicholson Baker preview their debate at the New York Public Library over whether the internet offers more freedom--or just more surveillance.


Nap Strategies Project
The benefits of sleep are widely touted, but how to catch up during the workday? Take part in the latest Brian Lehrer Show crowd-sourcing project and send us your "nap strategy"!


Going Hungry

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

In his latest column, Paul Krugman highlights what he considers to be the biggest global crisis: food shortage. He examines the causes for high food prices around the world, and the effect it’s having at home and abroad. Also, up-to-the-minute analysis on the testimony of David Petraeus before the U.S. Senate.


Nap Strategies Project
The benefits of sleep are widely touted, but how to catch up during the workday? Take part in the latest Brian Lehrer Show crowd-sourcing project and send us your "nap strategy"!


Do or Die

Monday, April 07, 2008

If the State Legislature approves congestion pricing by midnight tonight, the city will be eligible for $350 million in federal assistance. We’ll go live to Albany for the latest. Plus: Talking Points Memo blogger Josh Marshall on how he--and his readers—uncovered the politically motivated firings of U.S. attorneys, and I Was Told There’d Be Cake author Sloane Crosley.


Nap Strategies Project
The benefits of sleep are widely touted, but how to catch up during the workday? Take part in the latest Brian Lehrer Show crowd-sourcing project and send us your "nap strategy"!


Truth-Force

Friday, April 04, 2008

On the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Michael Eric Dyson explores the enduring legacy of King’s life, and his death. His new book is April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Death and How It Changed America. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the death of a man whose life and work influenced King -- Mohandas Gandhi. His legacy is explored in the “Satya Graha Forum” events this month. Also: an “experiential” travel guide to New York.


Nap Strategies Project
The benefits of sleep are widely touted, but how to catch up during the workday? Take part in the latest Brian Lehrer Show crowd-sourcing project and send us your "nap strategy"!


Are You Ready?

Thursday, April 03, 2008

John Solomon has been training himself in the art of emergency preparedness. He joins us every Thursday in April to discuss how New Yorkers can best plan for and react to unexpected crises. Plus, legal experts weigh in on what we can expect next from the Sean Bell police trial. And: what’s so wrong with napping at work?


Weighty Issues

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

A new Vanity Fair article says that the origins of the torture at Guantánamo and Abu Ghraib came from the very highest levels of the Bush administration. Will these senior advisers face legal action? We talk to the reporter who broke the story. Also: the benefits of conformity, a look at legal protection for overweight people, and what role—if any—will the GOP play in the fate of Florida and Michigan delegates to this summer’s Democratic National Convention?


The Ten-Year Nap

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

In her new novel, Meg Wolitzer tracks the lives of a group of educated New York mothers who opt out of the workforce to raise their children. Also, Councilmember Tony Avella discusses the approval of the congestion pricing bill and the start of his campaign for the 2009 Mayoral race. Plus: urban debate leagues give a voice to inner city youth.