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The Leonard Lopate Show

Thursday, September 04, 2008
  • Big Storm

    70 years ago, a major hurricane struck the northeast U.S., killed almost 700 people, and caused the modern equivalent of nearly 5 billion dollars in damage! Find out whether the New York City metro area is prepared for another big hurricane. Also, director Chris Smith on his new film, “The Pool,” shot in Goa, India. But first: more coverage of the Republican convention, live from St. Paul! Hear what's in the Republican party's 2008 platform, and the role it will play in the leadup to Nov. 4.

    Join us for another Lopate Show film screening! On Monday, Sept. 8th, we'll be showing the 1976 film "All the President's Men" at Galapagos in DUMBO. Seating is limited, so RSVP soon!

Republican Party Platform: What’s in it, and Why

Each party votes on a party platform during their convention, but we rarely hear about what’s in it or how it got there. Stephen Spruiell of the National Review what’s in the Republican party’s 2008 platform, and what role it will play in the rest of the presidential campaign.

More Vote 2008 coverage from WNYC

Open Phones: Watching the Conventions

We want to know if you’ve been watching the Democratic and Republican conventions. Are you equally interested in both? Have you learned much from them, and has anything you’ve seen or heard in Denver and St. Paul changed your mind about the candidates? What have been the best and worst moments? Call us at 212-433-WNYC (212-433-9692) or leave a comment on our showpage at wnyc.org.

Social Mobility in Goa, India

American director Chris Smith’s new film, "The Pool," explores social mobility in neighborhoods of poverty and privilege of Goa, India. It’s making its U.S. premiere at the Film Forum (209 W. Houston St.), and Chris Smith will be there for Q&A sessions at the Thurs. Sept. 4 8:00 show, and at the Fri. Sept. 5 8:00 show.

Underreported: Offshore LNG Terminals in NY and NJ

Environmentalists in New Jersey and New York are fighting proposals to build offshore terminals to store liquefied natural gas (LNG). Hear why ExxonMobil and private investment firms want the terminals to be built, and why many are concerned about the terminals’ potential impact. David Byer is Water Policy Attorney for Clean Ocean Action.

More info on proposed LNG terminals from surfrider.org

Underreported: Is NYC Ready for a Major Hurricane?

70 years ago, in September 1938, a major hurricane struck the northeast and killed almost 700 people…and caused the modern equivalent of nearly 5 billion dollars in damage! Find out whether the New York City metro area is prepared for another major hurricane, and the disasters that could follow. Sarah Newkirk is Coastal Program Director of The Nature Conservancy on Long Island; Dr. Nicholas Coch is Professor in the Queens College School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Slideshow of images from the 1938 hurricane
More information about NYC hurricanes from the Nature Conservancy
Find out if you live in a Hurricane Evacuation Zone

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?