The Leonard Lopate Show
Two Sides to Every Story
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Rudy Giuliani has been involved in some shady business dealings. Find out why the media haven’t paid much attention to that part of our former mayor's history. Also: the life and long career of actress Joan Blondell. Chris Elliott on his funny new novel, Into Hot Air. And on Underreported: why America’s sex offender laws may not be protecting kids from abuse.
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And find out how you can participate in our new political film series. We're asking you to watch 4 movies about campaigns, and then tune in on Jan. 8 for a discussion.
Giuliani’s Shady Business Dealings
Rudy Giuliani has some shady business dealings in his past. Journalist Michael Shnayerson tells us more about those dealings…and why the media hasn’t paid much attention to that part of Giuliani’s history.
Weigh in: Do you think Giuliani has a chance at the Republican nomination?
Read Michael Shnayerson’s article in the Jan. Vanity Fair, "A Tale of Two Giulianis"
Joan Blondell: The Bombshell from 91st Street
"The Blonde Bombshell" Joan Blondell was one of Hollywood’s most versatile – and underappreciated – actresses. MoMA presents a new exhibition of 13 films starring Blondell. Matthew Kennedy’s biography is Joan Blondell: A Life Between Takes.
Joan Blondell: A Life Between Takes is available for purchase at amazon.com
More information about MoMA’s exhibit
See MoMA’s Joan Blondell screening schedule
Chris Elliott’s New "Novel"
Chris Elliott’s new spoof novel is Into Hot Air: Another "Novel" by Chris Elliott. It’s about narrator Chris Elliott’s misguided quest to climb Mount Everest.
Into Hot Air is available for purchase at amazon.com
Underreported: Are Sex Offender Laws Working?
US sex offender laws may do harm than good, according to a recent report from Human Rights Watch. Strict notification laws and residency requirements don’t reflect the reality of the risks children face, may not protect victims, and violate the basic human rights of former offenders.
Sarah Tofte is a researcher at Human Rights Watch; Linda runs a support group for families of registered sex offenders. Elizabeth J. Letourneau, Ph.D. works with juvenile sex offenders. She's Associate Professor at the Family Services Research Center of the Medical University of South Carolina.
Weigh in: What do you think about current sex offender laws? Are they working? We’d like to hear from people associated with both victims and offenders.
Read HRW’s report "No Easy Answers: Sex Offender Laws in the United States"
Visit Linda’s blog, "There IS Life After Sexual Abuse"
Visit the Sex Offender Support and Education Network (SOSEN)
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