wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] steveb from promotionalURL.googlepages.com/dtw May 02, 2009 - 01:56PM

  Just HOW does one hold government that don't answer our emails accountable?

  All we get are press releases stuffing up our in-boxes, if that.

  Opencongress.org lets us track bills lobbyists have gotten proposed.

  Newspapers occasionally report bill progress.

  We of course don't get paid to track bill progress.

  My emails always include googlepages.com links to more info to be

  AT LEAST COMMENTED UPON IF NOT ACTUALLY CONSIDERED. No response to

  tweets or Direct Mails via twitter either. Knock, knock, anybody home?

  You'd think our reps would forward emails on topics handled by reps

  in other regions - like to other departments within a big corporation.

  Thankfully Nancy Pelosi accepts emails from outside her congressional region

  as the Speaker of OUR House!

  Until we the folk can get bills proposed that don't make good press due to

  loss of a child or similar calamity gov't serves the lobbyists, over lunch.

  
  
• [2] Melissa from NY May 03, 2009 - 06:41AM

  I cannot wait! I love Tavis Smiley! I heard he has a new documentary coming out...has anyone else heard of it? Let me know as I would love to see it!!

  
  
• [3] Leon Freilich from Park Slope May 04, 2009 - 11:54AM

  PARIS STREET RALLY

  “We’re not going to pay for their crisis!”

  The workers of France are yelling,

  Determined to completely reject

  What the bankers are selling

  The French they love to demonstrate

  And often sound so funny

  But every Great Recession or so

  They seem right on the money.

  
  
• [4] the truth from bkny May 04, 2009 - 12:13PM

  Now I know why BET let you go....Tavis Smiley does NOT speak for me. Wonder if jealousy played any part here.

  
  
• [5] AFisher May 04, 2009 - 12:14PM

  Since Reagan, the Republicans have lured southern whites to vote against their financial interests in favor of a social conservativism. What does Mr. Smiley think of the Republican's current strategy to lure blacks with socially conservative agenda against their self interest? How does he see himself as part of this current strategy?

  Thank you.

  
  
• [6] joe e from brooklyn May 04, 2009 - 12:17PM

  QUESTION: I don't get what Mr. Smiley means when he says we should all hope that every president is successful. Does he regret that Bush was unable to privatize social security???

  
  
• [7] BISKIT from NYC May 04, 2009 - 12:19PM

  Tavis just said how he is soo happy that the President & the Republican Chairman are both black, but Americas No 1 problem is still issues of RACE... Is that not a contradiction.

  
  
• [8] Norman from Manhattan May 04, 2009 - 12:23PM

  So what's your biggest disappointment with Obama?

  
  
• [9] the truth from bkny May 04, 2009 - 12:23PM

  It is a BIG contradiction.

  
  
• [10] Norman from Manhattan May 04, 2009 - 12:26PM

  "Down the middle isn't always the best approach."

  Herbert Simon, the Nobel laureate economist, made that argument in an article in Science magazine.

  He said that you can represent two alternatives as two peaks. A choice in the middle is the valley between them.

  
  
• [11] paul colin from TRIBECA May 04, 2009 - 12:36PM

  Please remind Tavis that this recession is affecting workers (like me) who are working in the service sector just as much if not more

  than people in "blue collar jobs"

  look at the stats!

  
  
• [12] AFisher from Queens May 04, 2009 - 12:44PM

  Does anyone else find Tavis as offensive as I do? His rhetoric is as excellent as it it pernicious.

  
  
• [13] PROFESSOR BAHADUR TEJANI from 191 WALLACE STREET,FREEPORT,NY,11520 May 04, 2009 - 03:01PM

  Dear Leonard. With reference to your interview with Tavis Smiley, I felt that one of the very illuminating moments was in the personal exchange between Tavis and you at the end. The spontaneity and the frankness showed the security of the participants for me. It made both of you shine as real people with whom I and the listeners can identify. This vital element of spontaneity and security which allows the discussants to exchange complex ideas and information in a lively manner with confidence is often overlooked in the public arena. Many good leaders are keenly aware of it and this is an essential part of our democracy where a public figure is not afraid to be him and herself. The whole world admired the spontaneous manner in which Barak Obama interrupted and quickly corrected the fumbling Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of United States during the Presidential swearing in Ceremony. The spontaneity allows the leaders to accept the guiding principle of trust between the leader and the led. That we all have needs, ambitions, imperfections and are trying to make an imperfect world a little better. It allows us, as you and Tavis showed us, a sense of humor towards ourselves. I found Tavis’s use of the word, “Jesus!” meaning “Wow!” alluring and so was your humor that you don’t write best sellers like Tavis... Just win awards! Your interview was full of good questions and planning and adds a valuable dimension of intellectual depth to Tavis Smiley’s personality for me. Since one of the under-currents of the discussion was to empower the people, I suggest that you and Tavis follow this valuable exploration by running a public forum in the new green studio inviting students on the theme of Power to the people and tell them how you empower yourself personally and lead them to empower themselves. Yours in appreciation. Professor BA Tejani.

  
  
• [14] In Chicago May 04, 2009 - 10:27PM

  [[13] AFisher from Queens May 04, 2009 - 12:44PM Does anyone else find Tavis as offensive as I do?]]

  yes. and when i stumble across his show on the weekends and hear the elaborate greetings he exchanges with his guests - "greetings and salutations, my brother!" "always a blessing to speak with you brother tavis!" - i think of ralph kramden and ed norton exchanging lodge greetings.

  on the other hand, he does get some interesting and important people on his show. if you can clear away the stylistic under brush, there's some good stuff there.