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The Brian Lehrer Show

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
  • Billions of Green

    Governor Paterson’s new budget proposal looks to cut over one billion dollars in state expenses. Which programs are safe and which will lose out? Also, how to find what really works when it comes to alternative medicine. And – organic farms are all the rage among New Yorkers, but can they really be built on the sides of skyscrapers?

    Check out our contribution from the recent Slideluck Potshow, an event where folks share their love of food and photos! Last weekend, the Slideluck Potshow was held at McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg.

New York's Budget Quandary

Governor Paterson announced a budget plan that could dramatically cut funding for Medicaid spending and other state programs. Now the Legislature must decide which programs will make the cut. Assemblyman James Brennan (D-44) and Senator Charles Fuschillo (R-8), talk about the budget proposal.

All Aboard!

The number of people riding Amtrak is steadily increasing. But the surge in ridership is leading to overcrowding. Robert Paaswell, Director of the University Transportation Research Center at City College, discusses what's being done about the crowded trains.

Urban Farmers

Running your own small farm is no easy venture, especially for low-income families or recent immigrants. Kate Granger, the project director of the New Farmer Development Program, and Sergio Nolasco, owner of Nolasco’s Farm in New Jersey, offer a way to live the dream of becoming an urban farmer. Plus, Dickson Despommier, professor of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University, talks about his revolutionary plan to turn agriculture on its head with his concept of the vertical farm.

See Renderings of Some Vertical Farming Ideas!
Find out more about the New Farmer Development Program

Trick or Treatment

Distinguishing between effective alternative medicine and pure quackery can be tough. Authors Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst of Trick or Treatment explain how the road to wellness is paved with science.

Diner Dash

John and Cindy McCain were in New Jersey yesterday, visiting a diner and holding a closed-door fundraiser; WNYC Senior Reporter Bob Hennelly talks about the visit.

Synch or Swim

It is now known that organizers used doctored graphics and had a young girl lip-synch during the Olympics opening ceremony. But how much of that can be explained by "cultural differences?" Jeff Yang, columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle weighs in on whether it's particularly Chinese to try and keep up appearances.

Your Fab Cab

The Brian Lehrer Show

Who is in your fantasy Obama cabinet? Pick anyone!

Word from Abroad

The Brian Lehrer Show

John Burns, London bureau chief for the New York Times, reflects on his work in China, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, and Iraq.

Chief of Technology

The Brian Lehrer Show

Andrew Rasiej, founder of Personal Democracy Forum, talks about the potential presidential cabinet position of Chief Technology Officer. Who's in your fantasy cabinet? Visit our Fab Cab page and let us know.

Digesting Politics

A weekly podcast with Brian Lehrer and Andrea Bernstein

New Episode Posted November 13
Eavesdrop on Andrea Bernstein and Brian Lehrer, two of the most political savvy minds around, as they eat lunch and break down the week’s political activities.

Video Picks

The Brian Lehrer Show

See video highlights from The Brian Lehrer Show plus Brian's weekly video picks.