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The Leonard Lopate Show

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
  • Al Gore: The Assault on Reason
    Al Gore

    A Climate for Change?

    Al Gore tells us why he feels today’s political climate is hostile to reason. But first, the executive director of the ACLU talks about protecting constitutional freedoms. And we hear about three restored films from the cult director Alejandro Jodorowsky. Plus, Lesley Dormen’s new novel imagines the life a middle-aged New York woman.

Fighting for Civil Liberties

Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU, talks about the most pressing recent threats to our constitutional freedoms.

In Defense of Our America is available for purchase at amazon.com

The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky

Producers Robin Klein and Mick Gochanour tell us about the restoration of three films from the underground director Alejandro Jodorowsky.

"El Topo," "The Holy Mountain," and "Fando y Lis" are available for purchase at amazon.com

Al Gore on Politics and Propaganda

Al Gore argues that in the current political climate, reason faces an uphill battle against propaganda, fear, and a preoccupation with celebrities. And we take your calls on some of the issues Al Gore raises.

During times of crisis, is it still always appropriate for politicians and the press to be critical of the government? Even if the criticism will come across as partisan?

The Assault on Reason is available for purchase at amazon.com

Modern Middle Age

Lesley Dormen tells us about her new novel about a middle-aged woman navigating modern life in New York.

The Best Place to Be is available for purchase at amazon.com

Events: Lesley Dormen will be reading
Thursday, June 7 at 7:30 pm
Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street, at Richardson Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
For more information, visit the Pete’s Candy Store website.

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.