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Victoria Bruce and Karin Hayes examine the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC): the drug-funded revolutionary army. In Hostage Nation: Colombia's Guerrilla Army and the Failed War on Drugs, they explore the political and socioeconomic conditions that enabled the FARC to gain unprecedented strength, influence, and impunity.

Peabody Award winner Henry Bromell, the executive producer of the AMC drama "Rubicon," discusses the new series: a conspiracy thriller about a group of clandestine code-crackers working in lower Manhattan.

Jonathan Bank, artistic director of the Mint Theater and director of "Wife to James Whelan," and Janie Brookshire, who stars as 'Nan', talk about the play. It's the first of two plays by Theresa Deevy and produced by the Mint, being shown in the next two years. The plays are part of the "Teresa Deevy Project," which will also include readings, recordings and publications. Set in a small town in the middle of Ireland, the play tells the story of star-crossed lovers. “Wife to James Whelan” is playing at the Mint Theater through October 3.

Today is the first of our weekly series with New York Times columnist Gail Collins, How Did Politics in America Get So Weird? We'll review the dishonest, distracting or just downright silly things politicians are saying as we head into the 2010 elections.

How do you decide who to vote for? Is there one issue that determines which candidate you side with? Are you loyal to one party over another? Andrew Westen, professor of psychology at Emory University and the author of The Political Brain joins us in taking listeners' calls on what's influencing their vote this election season.

Call us at 212-433-9692 to tell us what influences how you vote! Or leave a comment below!