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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, August 18, 2008
  • U.S. Supreme Court
    (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

    Rule of Law

    Find out how the epic Supreme Court case Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, filed on behalf of a Guantanamo detainee, challenged abuses of executive power and won. Also, States of the Union is all about our own New York. We look into how the pigeon evolved from cliff dweller to city dweller. Plus: does Obama's candidacy mark an end to traditional black politics?

Hamdan v. Rumsfeld

The Supreme Court case Hamdan v. Rumsfeld was two lawyers’ attempt to overturn the system set up to try the detainees at Guantanamo. Lt. Commander Charles Swift was one of those lawyers; he was defense counsel for detainee Salim Ahmed Hamdan, who had been Osama bin Laden's personal driver and bodyguard. Jonathan Mahler’s new book about the landmark case is The Challenge: Hamdan v. Rumsfeld and the Fight over Presidential Power.

Events:
Jonathan Mahler will be speaking and signing books
Monday, September 22 at 7 pm
Book Court
163 Court Street
Brooklyn

Jonathan Mahler will be speaking and signing books
Monday, October 6 at 7 pm
Upper West Side Barnes & Noble
2289 Broadway, at 82nd Street

States of the Union: New York

We look at New York State. Find out about this week’s special legislative session to deal with the projected budget shortfall, how the economic downturn on Wall Street is affecting the rest of the state, and what rising food prices mean for the Empire State’s farmers. Plus: a look at the state’s Congressional races. Liz Benjamin writes the Daily Politics for the Daily News.

States of the Union fact of the week: Martin Van Buren created the first state political machine in the country – the Albany Regency. He also created or institutionalized the Democratic party, the national convention and the inaugural parade.

Pigeon, a.k.a. Superdove

Pigeons’ ancestral homes are on the cliffs of sea coasts. How did they become so suited to city life? Courtney Humphries, author of the new book Superdove: How the Pigeon Took Manhattan…And the World, explains how pigeons became city dwellers, and why those who see them as mere urban pests should give the birds a little more respect.

Event:
Courtney Humphries will be giving a reading
Monday, August 18th at 7:00pm
McNally Jackson Books
52 Prince Street
212.274.1160

Weigh in: Do you think pigeons deserve their reputation as urban pests and "rats with wings"?

The End of Black Politics

Does Obama’s candidacy mean the end of traditional black politics? Matt Bai is author of the recent New York Times Magazine article, "Post Race."

Weigh in: What do you think Obama's candidacy means for the future of black politics? Leave a comment below, or call us at 212-433-9692.

Patrick Swayze

The Leonard Lopate Show

Patrick Swayze mixed grace with athleticism in his movies – and rose to stardom with roles in “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost.” He died just recently after a battle with pancreatic cancer. And you can hear his interview with Leonard Lopate from July 16, 2002, when he came by to discuss appearing in the film, “Green Dragon.”

The Silver Anniversary of the Silver Palate

The Leonard Lopate Show

Sheila Lukins was one half of a partnership that helped popularize gourmet cooking throughout America – first, through their gourmet food shop in New York City and then with the cookbook, The Silver Palate, which remains one of the top-selling cookbooks of all time. She collaborated on 2 other cookbooks that simplified gourmet cooking for the home cook. She died recently from brain cancer at the age of 66, and you can listen to her 2007 conversation with Leonard Lopate and her business partner Julee Rosso about the 25th Anniversary of the publication of The Silver Palate.

Dominick Dunne

The Leonard Lopate Show

Dominick Dunne was a famous novelist and Hollywood producer. But he may be best remembered for covering trials of the rich and famous – from Claus von Bulow to O. J. Simpson. He died just recently at the age of 83. But you can still hear his interview with Leonard from November 23, 2001, when he was discussing crimes, trials, and punishments.

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.

Guest Picks

The Leonard Lopate Show

Find out surprising facts about some recent guests on the Leonard Lopate Show. Check out our Guest Picks section! Did you know that football star Herschel Walker loves Judge Judy, Laurie Anderson is a big fan of agility training for dogs, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi likes Johnny Depp?