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On Demand

The Brian Lehrer Show

Monday, November 17, 2008
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    Agriculture Warrior

    Writer Michael Pollan says government agricultural policy promotes a diet that makes us fat and sick. What can the Obama Agriculture Secretary do about it? Plus, Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert Kennedy and founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights on this week’s re-naming of the Triborough Bridge for her father.

Best Laid Plans

Bruce Reed, president of the Democratic Leadership Council, Bill Clinton's former domestic policy adviser, and co-author (with Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel) of The Plan, looks at the Obama administration's moves thus far.

Auto Aid

A bailout for Detroit--who's for it, who's against it, and why? Rebecca Lindland, Director of the Auto Group at consulting firm IHS Global Insight, will help us understand the arguments on both sides.

City Swindlers

As unemployment goes up, so do job scams. Jonathan Mintz, commissioner for the Department of Consumer Affairs, explains how to spot predatory employment agencies.

What You Need To Know About Employment Agencies (PDF Download)

Fab Cab Follow Up: Michael Pollan

Food writer Michael Pollan got numerous mentions for Agriculture Secretary in the BL Show Fab-Cab nomination process. He discusses what food policy he'd like to see under the Obama administration.

Michael Pollan: "Farmer In Chief"
The Michael Pollan for Agriculture Petition

A Hate Crime on Long Island

Seven teenagers have been indicted in the stabbing death of an Ecuadorean immigrant in Patchogue last week. The murder has led to renewed calls for reconciliation between Long Island natives and Latin American immigrants. Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri and Ricardo Montano, a Suffolk County Legislator, join us to discuss the crime and its implications.

RFK Bridge

Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights and author of Being Catholic Now, on the renaming of the Triborough Bridge for her father.

Question of the Day: What local landmark would you rename and for whom?

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.

Just Launched! The Uncommon Economic Indicators Video Contest. All the details here!

The Rocky Road Ahead

The Brian Lehrer Show

Ray Young, the chief financial officer of General Motors, talks about GM’s bankruptcy.

Then, Damon Lester, president of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, and Greg Williams, former owner of the recently closed Huntington Chevrolet in Huntington Station, NY., discusses the effect GM’s bankruptcy has had on dealerships and their employees.

Tweet If You Use Twitter

The Brian Lehrer Show

Farhad Manjoo, Slate's technology columnist and the author of True Enough: Learning To Live in a Post-Fact Society talks about what Twitter means and how different groups use it.

What's your take on Twitter? How do you use it? Comment below!

Don't Say That, Literally

The Brian Lehrer Show

John Flansburgh of the band They Might Be Giants discusses the running list the band keeps of "things we can no longer say." (a few examples: "my bad" "don't go there" "one hundred and ten percent" and "voted off the island")

What would be on your list of banned words or phrases? Comment below!

From Denmark with Love

The Brian Lehrer Show

Jesper Grunwald, senior managing editor with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, talks about the Danish economy, biking to work, and why the Danes are allegedly the happiest people in the world.

Squatting, Then and Now

The Brian Lehrer Show

As former squats in the East Village make the transition to coops, making homes from abandoned housing is again an issue. Andrew Reicher executive director of Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, Frank Morales an Episcopal priest involved in East Village/Lower East Side squatting and homelessness activism since the late '70s, and Rob Robinson, a leader of the Housing Campaign of Picture the Homeless, discuss the return of squatting.

Video Picks

The Brian Lehrer Show

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