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The Brian Lehrer Show

Thursday, July 17, 2008
  • (<a herf="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cleverclaire1983/1404808036/" target="_blank">cleverclaire1983</a>/flickr)
    Kids at a summer session in Japan (cleverclaire1983/flickr)

    The Summer of Forgetting

    After a summer of all play and no work, kids are at risk of losing two months’ worth of learning. YMCA’s Marty Forth and CUNY professor of education Ken Gold explain why – and how kids can use their academic skills during summer break. Plus, is your online identity really anonymous? Ben Smith talks about the recent gag order on his blog, Room 8.

    July Is Photo Month: See The Change Pictures!
    On Monday we'll talk with some of the participants of our "Change for the Better, Change for the Worse" photo challenge, but you can see all the great submissions we received here.

A Taxing Debate

Should New Yorkers be taxed for making purchases from Amazon.com, even though the online retailer has no physical presence in the state? Governor Paterson is fighting Senator Schumer and other New York lawmakers on Capitol Hill over the issue. Tax counsel Joseph Henchman joins us to sort through online taxes. We also discussed this in April.

Bullying the Blogs

Ben Smith, co-founder of Room Eight, discusses a grand jury subpoena issued to silence his blog, where he writes about New York politics. Attorney Paul Alan Levy also joins us to talk about bloggers' First Amendment rights.

Ben Smith's blog about New York politics, Room Eight

Summer Learning Loss

When kids don't use it, they lose it, according to the YMCA Center for Summer Learning. The YMCA's Marty Forth explains why kids lose math and reading skills over the summer, and what can be done to prevent it. College of Staten Island professor of education Ken Gold chimes in to talk about summer's place in American public education.

Do you think kids would be better off with year-round schooling? Comment below!

Counterfeit Culture

You’ve seen them down on Canal Street, but do you know how they got here? Counterfeit goods are everywhere, but who’s behind the fake goods industry? Dana Thomas, European Editor of Portfolio and author of Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, and Susan Scafidi, author of the blog counterfeitchic.com and visiting professor at Fordham Law School, join us to talk about the business and law of counterfeits both here in New York City and online.

The Diversity Vote

Are the presidential candidates recent efforts to reach out to voters of color actually working? Christopher Smitherman, Cincinnati chapter president of the NAACP, and Pilar Marerro from La Opinion, weigh in on the issue.

Far Away, At Home

Staying home for vacation is one thing, but recreating an out-of-country experienece takes it to a whole new level. Wall Street Journal Reporter Mary Pilon wrote about Karen Ash and others who are experiencing the far away from home, right at home.

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.