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The Leonard Lopate Show

Thursday, September 16, 2004
  • Myanmar (Burma)

    The Road to Burma

    Our continuing series, Underreported focuses on Burma this week. Since 1962 Burma has been under the rule of a military dictatorship which many human rights organizations claim is among the most repressive regimes in the world. We’ll talk to Robert Templer, International Crisis Group’s Asia Program Director, about the challenges facing Burma, and why he feels US sanctions and other policy efforts have not been effective. Then, Charles Tiefer, former Solicitor of the House of Representatives, argues that the Bush administration is using (and misusing) the law in order to forward a conservative agenda in his new book, Veering Right. We’ll hear from conductor and music professor Maurice Peress about conducting the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, and collaborating with Duke Ellington. His new book is From Dvorak to Duke Ellington. Finally, singer Jane Monheit shows off her exceptional technique and phrasing on her album Taking a Chance on Love.

Robert Templer

Robert Templer, International Crisis Group’s Asia Program Director, on Burma’s struggles, and the impact US sanctions and foreign policy are having on the country.

» More the International Crisis Group’s Asia Program
» More on the Underreported series

Music: Music of Myanmar: "Madalin Solo" / "Improvisation on the Palwel" / "Athet-Ke Shi-Sei Lo"

Charles Tiefer

Charles Tiefer on his new book, Veering Right: How the Bush Administration Subverts the Law for Conservative Causes.

» More about the book

Music: "Meta, Beta, Tarabeta" by Pangeia Instrumentos
"Resolution" by Thievery Corporation

Maurice Peress

Maurice Peress offers a conductors perspective the importance of American Music in Dvorák to Duke Ellington: A Conductor Explores America's Music and Its African American Roots.

» More on the book

Music: George Antheil’s Ballet Mechanique, conducted by Maurice Peress: "A Jazz Symphony"
Four Symphonic Works by Duke Ellington, conducted by Maurice Peress: "Black, Brown and Beige Suite"

Jane Monheit

Jazz vocalist Jane Monheit on her new album of standards: Taking a Chance on Love.

» More on the album

Music: Taking a Chance on Love, Jane Monheit: "Taking a Chance on Love" / "In the Still of the Night"

Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

The Leonard Lopate Show

Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

Let’s Go Swimming!

The Leonard Lopate Show

According to the Centers for Disease Control, bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms found in recreational water in the United States sicken thousands of people every year, and even result in deaths. We’ll speak with chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol about the protozoa, amoebas and other things that love to go swimming with us. Monona is also founder and President of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.

Frank McCourt

The Leonard Lopate Show

Frank McCourt has been a guest many times on this show over the years, starting in 1996 for the memoir, Angela’s Ashes, that would earn him a Pulitzer Prize. Fame came to him late in life, after he’d retired at the age of 65 from teaching English and creative writing at public schools here in New York. He was a sweet, eloquent man who spoke with grace and humility; he just died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. You can hear him speaking with Leonard Lopate for his Survival Kit in 2000, and in 2005, for his memoir, Teacher Man.

Science and Faith

The Leonard Lopate Show

Earlier this week, Pres. Obama announced that he plans to nominate geneticist Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. You can listen to Leonard’s 2006 conversation with Dr. Collins about how he reconciles his personal faith with his professional scientific knowledge.

FDA to Regulate Tobacco?

The Leonard Lopate Show

May 14, 2009
Congress is getting ready to a vote on whether to make tobacco subject to FDA regulation. You can listen to a segment we did in May about the bill and what it would mean for the cigarette companies.

Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

The Leonard Lopate Show

On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.

Leonard is on Facebook

Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.

Barack Obama, Circa 2004

The Leonard Lopate Show

Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.