I am elated to finally see news of a universal phone charger. I have a metal basket in my kitchen full of chargers. There's an old Palm charger, a Blackberry charger, several for phones I don't own anymore, and several for phones that I do. This appears to be an agreement across the EU, but I can only imagine that this marks the beginning of the end for wall warts as we all know them. As CNET reports:

The initiative has many advantages. For one it makes it much easier for consumers who no longer have to worry about losing their one and only cell phone charger. It also cuts down on waste since people can reuse their cell phone chargers when they get a new phone. Even though some cell phone manufacturers were reluctant to give up their proprietary cell phone chargers for fear that it would make it easier for customers to switch to new phones from competitors, eventually standardizing on one technology will help these manufacturers reduce costs.

Unfortunately, Bravo TV's site always crashes my computer, or I'd embed a video from there. Sorry, Bravo!

I watch plenty of TV, but I'm a multi-tasker -- usually I'm eating dinner, at the very least, but more than likely, I'm searching online for travel deals, catching up on blogs, or playing with my cats. Or maybe all four. Anyway, there's one show, to my knowledge, than I cannot do anything but simply sit and watch: Kathy Griffin's My Life On The D-List. I can't eat while I watch because I'll spit out half-chewed fish sticks as I howl with laughter. And I can't have my attention divided by the Internet or the felines, because I hate to miss a single joke. It's that funny. We've always wanted to invite Kathy to join us on Talk of the Nation, but the girl's got a dirty mouth and we're a live program. So, I'm delighted to present to you: Kathy Griffin -- on tape -- on Morning Edition.

Scenes from Spike Lee's 'Do The Right Thing'. (At the end of today's first hour, we'll talk about whether or not the film holds up.) Courtesy The Kobal Collection/Universal

Iranian Americans: What's Changed
Many Iranian Americans watched the 1979 revolution in the streets of Tehran, and now watch the violent crackdown from their living rooms in the U.S. Today, we hear from Iranian Americans about what the changes in Iran mean for them.

20 Years Of 'Do The Right Thing'
Conversations about race intensified during Barack Obama's presidential campaign, but Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing brought racism to the front and center of pop culture and captured the racial tensions of urban America. Twenty years (and a black presidency) later, how does the movie hold up in capturing the racial divide?

A Day In The Life Of An Umpire
The sound of their voice can make or break a game -- and the fate of your post-game party. We're talking about umpires. Author Bruce Weber spent time learning how to call balls and strikes and points out in his book, As They See 'Em, that we really don't know the first thing about being an umpire. So umpires have your say: What don't we understand about your job?

Bargain Vultures
In the current economic slump, many consumers are finding bargains by lowballing salesmen or snapping up foreclosed homes. We'll explore the ethics of vulture consumers. Do you feel guilty taking advantage of another's misfortune?

Clearly marital fidelity is an issue for more than just politicians. More than 4 million people are now signed up for AshleyMadison. Never heard of it? It's a personals site for married people with the slogan, "Life is short. Have an affair." As you might expect, reaction to the site has been strong. Time magazine reports:

Critics call AshleyMadison a cruel sex site that profits from marital pain. "This is a business built on the back of broken hearts, ruined marriages and damaged families," says Trish McDermott, a dating-industry consultant who helped found Match.com and Engage.com....

"We're just a platform," responds CEO Noel Biderman. "No website or 30-second ad is going to convince anyone to cheat," he says. "People cheat because their lives aren't working for them."

Interestingly, the site sees a spike among men just after Father's Day, and a jump with women right after Valentine's Day.

A serious contender for my second look: Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. Robert Burdock

I've read a bunch of books in my life so far, and as with many movies, I generally forget all but the gist of the stories within weeks after closing their covers. So why is it, then, that I rarely consider rereading the ones I remember enjoying? There's something about rereading that's always seemed a little wasteful to me, that if I have time to read I should be digging into something new. But then I read "Now, Read It Again" by David Gates in Newsweek, and this bit, in particular, made me rethink things:

Most of us, though, have our own musical canon -- or why do they sell so many iPods? -- and no one feels guilty about listening to, say, Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime" just once in a lifetime.

Looking at that quote again, I'm wondering if he meant "more than once in a lifetime" instead of "just once in a lifetime." At any rate, I read it as saying, hey -- we listen to our favorite albums over and over again, why not revisit our favorite characters with similar regularity? And that makes a lot of sense to me.
So, do you reread your favorite books? Which covers do you crack open time and time again?

A fan leaves a tribute to Michael Jackson. (In today's second hour we'll talk about which of the many sides of Michael you remember, and what that reveals about you... and us.) Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

Supreme Court Reverses 'Reverse Discrimination' Case
The high court ruled that white firefighters were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's earlier decision as an appeals court judge. We'll find out what that means for employers, and your next job opportunity.

What Are We Doing In Iraq?
On the opinion page, retired Lt. Col John Nagl explains why he believes it is time to rethink the end game as U.S. troops pull out of Iraqi cities. His article is entitled, After the Fire: Shaping the U.S. Relationship with Iraq

Remembering Many Sides Of Michael... And What It Says About Us
Michael Jackson's death shed light on the many conflicting images the public has of him. Depending on when you became a fan, those images may be hard to reconcile. Musician Lenny Kravitz reflects on Michael's music and syndicated talk show host Tom Joyner considers the wider meaning of Michael Jackson. Which Michael are you remembering most today? What does that reveal about you?

Preparing to move out of Iraq
For the past few months, Col. Gary Anderson has been working with reconstruction teams in Iraq. He will tell us what things look like for the U.S. on the ground as U.S. troops move out of Iraqi cities.

The obituary for Farrah Fawcett at the Los Angeles Times' website. Source: latimes.com

 

I was reading today's obituary for Farrah Fawcett when I scrolled down to see a casket ad fading in and out next to the story. Perhaps one of the dangers of automated ad placement on news sites?

When it comes to political sex scandals, we talk a great deal around here about what's just plain prurient and what's not. Granted, when something like Governors Spitzer and/or Sanford breaks, it is a news story first and foremost -- that's what they sign up for when they take the oath (not the "I do" promise, natch, but the other one). So when I saw the text of the cringingly intimate emails between the Governor of South Carolina and the (apparently) beautiful Maria -- I was pretty uncomfortable. (Um, yes, I read them all the way through. I'm HUMAN.) But I wondered if that kind of private language adds anything to the discussion of his performance as Governor, or if splashing it all over The State just adds more fuel to a fire that's kinda... mean. Who among us has not spoken of their "apocalyptic passion" in a letter or email, and would pretty much DIE of embarrassment if anyone -- other then our beloved* -- ever read it? Listen, Sanford screwed up, for sure, and he is taking a mighty punishment right now -- the question is, do we need to rub salt in those tan lines wounds, as well?

*Dear [redacted], please burn that letter that I sent you in the summer of '95. Hope all is well with you. Best, Barrie

As the producer of yesterday's segment with NPR's political editor, Ken Rudin, I was relieved to hear that Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC), recently returned from Argentina by way of Appalachia, had decided to delay his press conference, originally scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

In my humble estimation, we'd booked a good show. NPR White House correspondent Don Gonyea was scheduled to join us, to talk about the previous day's press briefing, and Gina Smith, a reporter for The State told us she'd call in toward the end of the segment, if she could, to talk about her scoop (a few hours earlier, acting on a tip, she found Sanford at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, getting off a plane). Minutes before we got her on the air, the story moved light years ahead. On his blog, Ken did a great job of summarizing what happened:

It's the end of the day, a long day, a chance to reflect on what exactly happened on this surreal Wednesday.

When the Mark Sanford story broke, I was sitting across from Neal Conan, the host of NPR's Talk of the Nation. We were on the air, live. It was our regular Wednesday Political Junkie segment on TOTN. As the segment began, we learned that the governor's news conference, which was scheduled to begin just as the show was starting, would be delayed a half hour.

That gave us more time. So we discussed the bizarre nature of the situation, I did the obligatory bad jokes ("He was actually in Argentina? He's so pampas"). And then we went on to the other political subjects of the week. Villaraigosa's not running for governor of California. What in tarnation is going on in Albany? How 'bout those Nixon tapes!

NPR White House correspondent Don Gonyea then came on the show to talk about behind-the-scenes stuff during a presidential press conference. The callers were great, and Don was, as always, superb.

And then Neal's face dramatically changed.

You can read the rest, after the jump...

Continue reading "The Political Junkie's Diary" >

Akiyoshi Kitaoka

 

I've always considered myself pretty good at colors. You know, if it's orange or if it's red, if it's navy or if it's black, that sort of thing. Ask my mom and she'll tell you I went to kindergarten in some pretty wild ensembles of my own choosing, so I'm not saying matching is my forte, but I appreciate color. Anyway, I just had my mind blown. See that psychedelic swirl? How many colors are in it?

You have to click through to get your own mind blown. I read about it on Bad Astronomy, and Richard Wiseman does a neat Photoshop trick with it in case you're not convinced of the answer. But I'll tell you this: whatever you answer, you're probably wrong!

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to having an extramarital affair after returning from a secret trip to visit a woman in Argentina. Photo by Davis Turner/Getty Images

Sanford's Affair: Should We Care?
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford disappeared for nearly a week, then reappeared yesterday at a news conference and admitted to having an extramarital affair. While his confession of adultery likely derailed his political aspirations (Sanford resigned yesterday as head of the Republican Governors Association and was considered by some to be a potential 2012 presidential contender) how much should we care about his personal life? When does infidelity become public business?

Advice From One Ambassador To Syria To The Next
The United States is poised to return an ambassador to Syria for the first time in four years. Former Ambassador to Syria Edward Djerejian offers some advice for the next ambassador.

That's So Gay
Name calling on playgrounds is a common occurence. Many kids are taught by their parents and teachers that racial and ethnic slurs are not okay. But calling someone "gay" is still fair game in some circles, and is broadly used by children... and adults... as an insult. We want to hear from parents and teachers in particular. What do you do when you hear a child say, "That's so gay"?

Proving that you can dedicate a museum to just about anything, here's the Museum of Broken Relationships. Instead of burning those old photos or tossing out the trinkets, donate them! From BlackBookMag.com:

The Museum of Broken Relationships was conceptualized as an art project by Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisic as "a chance to overcome the emotional collapse through creation." Everyone is welcome to donate the material remnants of love lost, along with the story behind the object. Submissions are anonymous, and have ranged from the expected love letters and faded photographs, to more unique donations including a leg prosthesis and a gall stone.

Here it is folks -- the best darn series of vacation disasters in existence. Boy, I hope Chevy Chase decides to resurrect ol' Clark at some point. I really love this clip, not just for the young Christie, but the rolled up sleeves on Chevy. Enjoy. Post your own. Go forth and conquer the vacation.

This is the ear with the "yes" in it. steveleenow

Here's a little nugget making the rounds right now, from Wired:

You're in a loud and sweaty Italian dance club when a woman approaches you. To be heard over the techno, she leans in close and yells into your ear, "Hai una sigaretta?"

If she spoke into your right ear, you would be twice as likely to give her a cigarette than if she asked by your left ear, according to a new study that employed this methodology in the clubs of Pescara, Italy. Of 88 clubbers who were approached on the right, 34 let the researcher bum a smoke, compared with 17 of 88 whom she approached on the left.

Now, I haven't run this by our vaunted science reporters, so I can't verify the study's validity, but read on to learn about other studies showing how ears process input differently. And if you're angling for a raise, or just want to duck out of the office early, it couldn't hurt to try speaking into your boss's right ear!

Vacation "disasters" come in all shapes and sizes (Tell us your most memorable vacation "disaster" in today's second hour.) glassbeednorth

Political Junkie
NPR's Ken Rudin looks at the week in political news, including newly released audio of President Richard Nixon, and where in the world WAS South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford? And NPR White House Correspondent Don Gonyea talks about accusations of "preferential treatment" at President Obama's press conference yesterday, and how it may signal a change in presidential news conferences.

Latinos, Steroids And Charges Of Discrimination At Cooperstown
This summer, the Baseball Hall of Fame will celebrate its 70th anniversary and display its first exhibit on Latin American baseball. In an article for the Los Angeles Times, author Zev Chafets points out that a disproportionate share of Latino players have tested positive for steroids. And he raises a question: If Latino players associated with steroids don't get voted into the Hall of Fame, is that discrimination?

The Pleasure - And Pain - Of Work
In his new book, The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work, philosopher Alain De Botton analyzes the work we do and searches for the definable thing that makes our work meaningful and joyous - or mind-numbing. What do people not understand about your job?

Your Summer Vacation Disasters
Sometimes it's the unplanned moments of your vacation that you remember most. (If this sounds familiar, it's because we had to move it from yesterday's show. I'll spare you my "Marty Moose" impression this time around.) What's your most memorable vacation "disaster"?

Plate-full o' yum.Zeetz Jones

Listen, I love a takeout California roll as much as the next girl. But my significant other grew up in Japan, and while he's happy to dig into grocery store sushi with me on occasion, he rarely fails to point out that what we're downing isn't "real" sushi. And you know what? He's right. Real sushi isn't served by waiters, and it certainly isn't sold alongside sub sandwiches and rotisserie chickens.

Fortunately, according to sushi expert Trevor Corson, "a quiet revival of authentic Japanese sushi is under way in the U.S." He cites a smattering of American chefs striving to present a more Japanese sushi experience, and I like what I read. For example, at Fin Sushi in Lenox, Mass.,

[Chef] Macioge also tries to serve a more authentic meal. Instead of suggesting tuna, for example, he'll talk his customers into sampling one of the most traditional sushi fish there is -- saba, a mackerel that Macioge lightly marinates in salt and vinegar to bring the fish to the peak of flavor.

Yum. And have you been lucky enough to dine with Memphis based chef Marisa Baggett?

Her goal is to teach Americans in Tennessee and Mississippi to appreciate authentic sushi, but she approaches the task through the local idiom. She educates her customers about traditional sushi etiquette, using clever comparisons to southern manners. And she creates sushi with local ingredients such as smoked duck and pickled okra.

Lovely. Have you had an authentic sushi experience, in the States or abroad? Tell me where to go eat!

The Chicago Sun-Times' Oprah Blog makes a case for the queen of all media being the world's greatest boss. Here's why:

For the second time in recent years, she's making a strong case for that title by taking her entire staff and their families on vacation. This time they're going on a lavish Mediterranean cruise.

Winfrey and her staff will leave Chicago on Saturday. The cruise ship will stop in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Malta. She is covering transportation, food, drinks and activities at port stops.

The relationship between art and commerce has always been complicated, and often controversial. (Not to mention cliched, apparently. Sigh.) The outrage over the use of the Beatles song "Revolution," being used to sell Nike sneakers, has never really abated if you study the comments attached the the YouTube video. And folk/punk/feminist hero Ani DiFranco had to start a whole new message board to address angry fans when she licensed her song "32 Flavors" to the National Football League. Today, we talked to Seth Stevenson about whether selling out has become so in, there's really no such thing anymore. The thing is, there are some commercials that are excellent little moments in their own right -- like a few Pepsi commercials, or the bizzaro Bob Dylan for Victoria's Secret spots. In America, advertising is art, so why should we get all up in arms when the two are so indubitably mixed up in the first place? As the Righteous Babe folks themselves put it: "Contradictions are at the heart of daily life -- every life -- in the era of capitalism." And that's not all bad -- enjoy this oldie but goodie as well.

Protesters in Los Angeles carry a photo of Neda, the Iranian woman purportedly killed in Tehran protests. MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Is Obama Too Weak On Iran?
Critics of President Obama argue he's been too cautious in response to the post-election protests in Iran, and the recent crackdown by police. They argue the president needs to do more to support the the opposition, and defend democratic principles. We'll talk about what the United States should to do about Iran.

L.A. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson Takes Your Calls
Earlier this month, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson led his team to the NBA championship. That win earned Jackson a record 10th NBA title as coach. The "Zen Master" talks about his career as a fomer player for the New York Knicks and how he repeatedly led the Chicago Bulls and the L.A. Lakers to NBA glory.

Still Out Of Work
There is talk these days of a more stable economy with fewer layoffs. But fewer companies are hiring, and prospects don't look good for the next six months to a year. We'll look at how the long-term unemployed face hard choices when the paychecks stop, but the bills keep coming. What do you do after many months with no job?

Your Summer Vacation 'Disasters'
Remember this line from National Lampoon's Vacation? "Sorry, folks! We're closed for two weeks to clean and repair America's favorite family fun park. Sorry, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!" The Griswold's certainly didn't count on hearing that after traveling hundreds of miles to see Marty Moose. But you gotta admit, sometimes it's the unplanned moments of your vacation that you remember most. What's your most memorable vacation "disaster"?

I wonder if Bruneau took the time to melt butter? romanlily

David Greene mentioned this story on today's Morning Edition, but in case you missed it, here it is again. Too good to miss.

Paul Bruneau will have to get used to jailhouse food after workers at a Maine restaurant discovered lobsters and wine missing -- and the suspect asleep on a bench.

Police said Bruneau broke into the Portland Lobster Co. through a rear window and stuffed his pockets with cash before chowing down on the better part of 11 prepared lobsters worth about $300 and washing it down with a white wine.

The crook also left the fridge standing open, ruining about $1,000 worth of perishables. But man, what a last meal!

Many audiophiles stand by vinyl as the best audio format. How far would you go for great sound (We'll talk with the author of Perfecting Sound Forever in today's second hour.) Epiclectic

Supreme Court Decides On Voting Rights Act
Today, the Supreme Court ruled narrowly in a challenge to the landmark Voting Rights Act, siding with a small Texas governing authority but sidestepping the major constitutional issue. We'll hear about the oral arguments that took place at the hearing and whether the Voting Rights Act is still relevant.

The Opinion Page:Iranians Don't Want U.S. Help
Time magazine's Joe Klein explains what he saw during his recent trip to Iran in the aftermath of their disputed presidential election, and why he believes Iranians don't want the United States to help.

Is It Live?
In radio, we say that stuff sounds good (or bad) all the time. But what do we really mean... and what are we really hearing? Nowadays, convenience often trumps fidelity when it comes to how we listen to music. In his new book, Perfecting Sound Forever: An Aural History of Recorded Music, Greg Milner explores the evolution of sound from the analog days of Thomas Edison to the present time of digital recordings. How far do you go for perfect sound? Where do you draw the line?

The Revolution Will Be Tweeted
Protests continue in Iran, and so do the tweets. Many protesters use Twitter to communicate between themselves, and with the outside world. But some question the validity of the information that is being posted on the micro-blogging service.

Buy property... Shop... Bailout the banker. Board games can teach us all sorts of great things: teamwork, conflict resolution, how to win (or lose) graciously. But at The Big Money, Caitlin McDevitt points out that board games taught us some awful lessons about money and finances:

Monopoly has taught us that financial institutions are invincible. The game's banker cannot go bankrupt, according to the rules: "The Bank never 'goes broke.' If the Bank runs out of money, the Banker may issue as much as needed by writing on any ordinary paper."

Life, Mall Madness, Acquire, PayDay and Risk also get skewered.

Did board games teach you all the wrong things about money?

I'm trying to focus, people. Truly, I am. But it's so tough. I'm completely preoccupied with this slick little piece of machinery. It's true, I've finally gotten on board the iPhone bandwagon, and it's all I can think about! What if they sell out? Do I need to set up camp on H Street? It took me a long time to come around to the incredibly popular phone, but now that I'm here, I'm freaking. I've had the same cellphone forever, and it's about as basic as they come. Plus, I'm ambivalent about Apple products -- I love every iPod I've had (2 nanos, 2 standards, and counting), but my laptop and I never really found true love (I'm back with PC). But my s.o. is dying for one, and although I committed to the purchase a couple months ago, when I read David Pogue's review, it made me absolutely antsy with anticipation. Are you caught up in iPhone insanity?

A young Iranian woman protesting the results of the presidential election. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images

Women Stand Up In Iran
In Iran, thousands continue to protest the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president. For the first time, women played a visible and important role in the campaign, and now women are involved in demonstations on both sides of the divide. Guests look at what life is like for women in Iran, and what has really changed.

Cooking History -- The Story Of Modern Warfare Through The Eyes Of The Chefs
Director Peter Kerekes talks about his new documentary that goes into the world of military chefs and how their culinary skills can change history.

How Did You Learn To Be A Father?
Men who become fathers learn quite suddenly that the learning curve is steep and kids don't come with a user's manual. The curve can be more dramatic for men who grew up without fathers. Author Adbul Ali and Duke University professor Mark Anthony Neal talk about how they learned fatherhood.

Help, My Kid Wants A Tattoo!
"Mom, I want a tattoo." That's a statement many parents dread hearing. Syndicated columnist Amy Dickinson discusses the divisive issue of ink. Parents, has your teenager declared a desire to get a tattoo? What did you tell them? And kids, did you listen... or tell them at all?

In case you haven't seen this yet, take a second to watch it -- President Obama channels Mr. Miyagi, killing a fly that threatened to derail an interview. My grandma has always said that the way to kill a fly is to make sure you think about something else as hard as you can, because otherwise, the fly can hear you coming. I guess a president has plenty of other things on his mind, making him the natural enemy of the pest.

A flash mob in Paris, France. (We'll talk with the inventor of flash mobs about viral culture in today's second hour). MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images

Political Junkie: The Cold Cash Case, An Albany Coup And Letterman's Apology To Palin
Today on the Political Junkie, Ken Rudin looks at the week in political news, including David Letterman's apology to Sarah Palin (and her daughters), and Sen. John Ensign's (R-Nev.) affair. And we'll talk with NPR reporter Audie Cornish about opening arguments in the case of former congressman William Jefferson, who is on trial for federal corruption charges after federal agents found $90,000 in cash in his freezer.

Afghan Star
In this country, millions tune in and vote for the next American Idol. And in Afghanistan, a similar contest has Afghans voting for the next Afghan Star... but the singers literally risk their lives for stardom. In a new film, director Havana Marking documents the journey and the risks that four contestants take to become Afghanistan's next pop star. Marking, along with Jahid Mohseni, the T.V. show's executive producer, talk about the effect the Afghan Star contest is having in Afghanistan.

How To Go Viral
News, gossip, scandal, and video zip across the internet like wildfire, and then, faster than the speed of broadband, the story dies. Bill Wasik, author of And Then There's This and inventor of the flash mob, talk about how stories live...and die...in viral culture.

Nuclear Tests, Missiles And Imprisoned Journalists; Should You Worry About North Korea?
At the White House yesterday, President Barack Obama warned that a nuclear-armed North Korea is a "grave threat" to the world. Ambassador Jack Pritchard, a top aide in several administrations' negotiations with North Korea, talks about why North Korea is pushing back now.

David Letterman apologized (again) to Gov. Sarah Palin. But that didn't stop a website called FireDavidLetterman.com from organizing a protest outside of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York yesterday. More reporters showed up to cover the event than actual protesters. There's now a Facebook group dedicated to ousting Dave and many, many opinions going back and forth.

From Ken Tucker at EW.com to David Letterman:

Clam up. Don't give Gov. Palin any more material to react to. From her Today Show interview alone, it was obvious that no matter how much Matt Lauer tried to raise serious questions about various overreactions to your jokes, she's glowingly happy to be in the national spotlight again and doesn't want to give it up any time soon.

Where the first few days of this controversy probably helped you in the ratings, I can't believe that you, a tough but fair competitor, want to win against the Tonight Show on the back of this kind of controversy.

Amy Siskind at Huffingtonpost.com sees in this debate the next wave of feminism:

Gone is the "women's movement." This wave is not focused solely on women. This wave is primarily about the next generation -- our daughters and granddaughters. We see the sexualization of the next generation. We see the disturbing parade of misogyny and sexism. Mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers are sick and tired of the constant assault against women and girls.

....

And perhaps most revolutionary of all are the unlikely alliances being forged to fight against the words of David Letterman. Women who have had abortions are joining hands with those whose religion forbids it. Men who voted against Proposition 8 are joining hands with lesbian couples. Women who pulled the lever for a Republican are joining hands with men who voted for a Democrat. All uniting in the name of common decency and the desire to make things better for the next generation. It's a "how did we let it come to this" type of moment.

This morning, I got an email from my friend, Conor Friedersdorf, about a new blog, launched this morning on The Atlantic's website, called Ideas. The blog will be active for the next six weeks. (At least, this producer hopes.)

While the site will feature many good ideas, Conor says he also wants to blog about some bad ones. He has issued a call for "the worst idea ever."

Interpret that liberally. I'm eager to receive a paragraph or two on bad historical ideas, bad ideas you've had in your own life, bad ideas observed at the workplace or in your field, unfortunate trends in the culture, anecdotes about bad ideas -- silly and serious, short and long, whatever you've got send it my way.

What's yours?

I know I shouldn't be shocked by how un-savvy people are about social networking, but seriously, people are SO UN-SAVVY ABOUT SOCIAL NETWORKING. The employee who calls in sick and writes a status update about his relaxing day off (that his boss can SEE). The prospective Ms. Universe with incriminating photos on her Facebook page of her drinking a large mojito and kissing someone who is not Mr. Universe. And of course, there is the couple that is splitting up -- emotions run wild on social networks. A piece in Time details the harm that past posts in happier days can cause you, and who benefits:

Lawyers, however, love these sites, which can be evidentiary gold mines. Did your husband's new girlfriend Twitter about getting a piece of jewelry? The court might regard that as marital assets being disbursed to a third party. Did your wife tell the court she's incapable of getting a job? Then your lawyer should ask why she's pursuing job interviews through LinkedIn.

Imagine the Donald/Ivana debacle through the lens of Facebook. Horrifying!

Lucky enough to fly somewhere this summer on vacation? I am, but so far I only have a one-way ticket to California, and I'm not too anxious to book my return flight. Anyway, this anonymous flight attendant with 12 years in the business has identified her top 7 most annoying passengers. As a semi-frequent flyer, I recognized a lot of these jerks, so consider this a public service.
Did you make the list, guy who throws his carry-on into the first bin in coach, then heads back to his seat in 27D? How about you, lady who overpacks her carry-on, then can't hoist it into the overhead compartment? Anonymous flight attendant is on to you, and so am I.

Adam Lambert came out on the cover of Rolling Stone (We'll talk about the experience of coming out in today's second hour). Valerie Macon/Getty Images

Doctors, Are You The Problem?
What is the key to keeping health care costs down? Some argue: doctors are the problem. Many critics believe doctors are responsible for driving up costs by ordering unnecessary tests and surgical treatments to make an extra buck. We'll talk to doctors about their role in the healthcare system. When it comes to health care costs, are doctors the problem?

Bomb Iran
What would happen if Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities? That is a question posed by John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Bolton will explain why he argues that "Israel's military option against Iran's nuclear program is unattractive... but failing to act is even worse."

I'm Gay
Coming out of the closet is a pivotal moment for many gays and lesbians, and the experience fluctuates somewhere between terror and catharsis. Oriol Gutierrez, the deputy managing Editor of POZ magazine, wrote an article about coming out for DiversityInc.com. And Rev. Irene Monroe, a pastor for an outreach ministry, is a contributor for gay and lesbian publications. They will each talk about the experience of coming out to family and friends, and we want to hear from members of the gay and lesbian community. What did coming out mean for you?

A Year Of Happiness
Fourteen years ago, cartoonist and author Tim Kreider was stabbed in the throat. He survived, and after his "unsuccessful murder," he said he wasn't unhappy for an entire year. Kreider talks about how his near death experience altered his perspective on life. Have you gotten a second chance? How did it change you?

Ever try to sing our national anthem? The day after flag day, Michael Kinsley argued that it's time to find a new one:

The Star-Spangled Banner is notoriously unsingable. A professor of music, Caldwell Titcomb of Brandeis, pointed out years ago in The New Republic that its melody spans almost two octaves, when most people are good for one octave, max. The first eight lines are one enormous sentence with subordinate clauses, leaving no really good place to take a breath. There are far too many mandatory leaps off the high board (". . . what so PROU-dly we hail ....'").

The rest of his op-ed is at the Miami Herald's website.

So, IF they were to declare a new national anthem... What should it be?

I've always had empathy for Medea -- one of the reasons Euripedes' play has lasted so long (431 BC!) is that it's more than a vengeance fantasy, it's a bitterness tragedy. Everyone knows someone who's been pickled in their own resentment; though, luckily, most of us don't know very many who've been brought past sanity's edge. That high level of resentment and bitterness is apparently so very common, that some psychiatrists recommending it be classified as an actual mental illness in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) -- under the name "post-traumatic embitterment disorder." Its inclusion is being hotly debated over at the Psychology Today website, in two blog entries -- for and against. It's worth checking out -- on one hand, are we classifying something that's within the range of normal behavior as disordered? But on the other, can bitterness have soul destroying, quality of life impairing effects? Check out both entries: and see what you think.

The new-and-improved High Line. Matthew McDermott

 

One day, when I lived in New York, I walked from Morningside Heights to the Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex, a mammoth structure on the Hudson River, where you can bowl, golf, play hockey, and drink beer. (On that particular afternoon, warm as it was, we did the latter.)

Afterward, we checked out the neighborhood. There are old warehouses, clubs, clubs in old warehouses, and there is The High Line, a stretch of elevated railroad tracks that hasn't been rattled by a train in years.

I was happy to hear, from NPR's Robert Smith, that The High Line has been put to good use: that narrow space, which winds through parts of Manhattan Island, above street level, is a park.

I usually go to Alex Ross, New Yorker critic, blogger, and MacArthur "Genius," for his thoughts on classical music; but this morning, I saw he'd posted a few of his photos from a trip he took to The High Line. Take a look. I can't wait to go.

Is being a nanny your summertime job Plan B? Turns out that's another profession where the tables may have turned, thanks to ye olde recession. According to The Washington Post, in the district, at least,

A fundamental shift of power has occurred... and it has nothing to do with politics. For decades, good nannies were a hot commodity in a town rife with workaholics, where the percentage of working women is higher than the national average. The best nannies had to be snapped up immediately and kept happy with regular raises and other benefits, lest they be poached right off the playground by conniving parents.

In the past six to eight months, though, agencies report a deluge of available nannies as parents losing their jobs or downsizing turn to cheaper child-care options, including staying at home.

What are you seeing? Is this a D.C.-only problem? A big city problem? A BS trend story?

A Neo-Nazi protestor at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Scott Olson/Getty Images

More Extremists?
The recent murders of a late-term abortion doctor, a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Museum and a soldier outside an Army recuriting center forces many to ask the question: Are right-wing extremists on the rise? Guests on both sides of the issue examine whether or not rhetoric fans the flames of violent acts of extremism.

The Opinion Page: Iran's "Absurd Outcome"
Suzanne Maloney, senior fellow at The Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, explains why last week's messy election in Iran could represent the worst possible outcome for President Obama.

Following In Father's Footsteps
Next Sunday, many will be celebrating their fathers and the special connections they have with them. But there are some who pay tribute to their fathers daily by earning a living literally following in their father's footsteps. For example, Dr. Joshua Ammerman became a neurosurgeon, and Laila Ali picked up boxing gloves. We'll ask them both about the advantages and disadvantages of following in those footsteps... and living in their father's shadow. And if this is your story, we want to hear from you: Why did you choose to follow in your father's footsteps, or choose not to?

The Best Worst Movie Ever
Twenty years ago, a low budget horror flick called Troll 2 was made and has since been crowned "the worst film of all time." We'll talk with Michael Stephenson, the child star of that film (now all grown up) about his new documentary, The Best Worst Movie, that takes us inside the making of Troll 2 and its journey from worst movie ever made, to cult classic.

Admittedly, I've never heard of Zoosk -- or looked for dates on Facebook, for that matter -- but Raina Kelly makes a whole lot of sense to me. Why in the world would you want to give your friends and family so much control over your dating life?

Zoosk.com completely befuddles me. Zoosk is an online dating site that lets you use social networking to make love matches... It means your Facebook friends can be active participants in your dating life from the exciting beginning to the bitter end. That's a terrible idea -- really awful. Friends know things you don't want new boyfriends to know. And nursing a new relationship requires a level of honesty just slightly above compulsive lying. (You think I'm wrong? How many dates have you told that you looooove jazz and you never eat red meat? ... I rest my case.) I'm telling you -- combining friending and dating is the worst thing to happen to romance since venereal disease.

Apparently we're in the minority on this one... Some 30 million people have signed up. You can read the rest of Raina Kelly's column at Newsweek.com.

Fans of Susan Boyle cheer her on in the final Britain's Got Talent. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The Dark Side Of Fame
Fame, (fame) what you like is in the limo
Fame, (fame) what you get is no tomorrow
Fame, (fame) what you need you have to borrow
Fame (fame)
What's your name?
That's fame according to David Bowie. Most people, if granted a wish, would want their 15 minutes of fame. But sometimes world wide celebrity comes at a cost. Take Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer on Britain's Got Talent. She became a household name and wound up in the hospital reportedly for nervous exhaustion. Today, Ted Koppel and Henry Winkler (a.k.a. "The Fonz") talk about the downside of going from obscurity to sudden fame.

Elie Wiesel On The Holocaust Museum Shooting
Today, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is closed and its flags lowered to half-staff to remember a security guard who was gunned down yesterday by what authorities are identifying as a white supremacist who opened fire in the museum's lobby. Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and founding chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, reacts to yesterday's shooting and the importance of spearheading the building of the museum.

Elmore Leonard's Favorite Cops And Robbers
Author and screenwriter Elmore Leonard got his big break writing western novels in the 1950's and later specialized in crime fiction and suspense thrillers. He has just completed his forty-third novel entitled Road Dogs that collide three of Leonard's most beloved characters: Jack Foley, Cundo Rey and Dawn Navarro.

Jason Lytle Performs Live
Jason Lytle, former frontman and songwriter for the band Grandaddy, performs songs from his debut solo project Yours Truly, the Commuter.

Anyone who flies economy class knows it can be a tight squeeze. I'm only 5'9" and I have legroom issues sometimes, especially if my carry-on is under the seat in front of me. And then there's the physical size of the seats. Does it feel like they're getting smaller, or do I need to hit the gym harder? In fact, according to Scott McCartney of the Wall Street Journal's The Middle Seat column, "some carriers... are replacing seats with new ones made with slimmer frames and cushions, creating additional rows." So coach class is getting more cramped and crowded than ever, how pleasant.

Meanwhile, how's the "other half" living? Meet the scratchy tag chapping my hide, the Diamond. Continental hired B/E Aerospace to design new seats for their business class customers, and they're gorgeous. These babies stretch out into a 6'6" flat bed, without compromising the number of seats in the cabin, thanks to an ingenious staggered design. Picturing your behind-your-seat neighbor's feet in your face? Fear not, each seat has a wraparound shell.

And then there's the uber-elite Emirates A380, which I can't even really comprehend. Onboard shower spa, people. Seriously.

Critics complained Judge Sonia Sotomayor is "racist" and "reverse racist" . (In our second hour we'll talk about when it's OK to call someone "racist".) KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images

iStockphoto.com

Palin And Newt Rally Repubs, More Drama Over Obama's Senate Seat
It's Political Junkie day, Sarah Palin was upstaged by Newt Gingrich at the GOP Congressional dinner, and there's a winner in the Virginia Democratic primary. NPR's Ken Rudin talks about that and more in the world of politics. Plus, we'll get an inside look at the man who became President Obama. Author Richard Wolffe talks about his book, Renegade: The Making Of A President.

"You're A Racist"
"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." That quote is from a speech given by Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, and because of her remark, many have questioned Sotomayor's character and labeled her a racist. This isn't the first time we've heard someone called "racist", but when is that accusation appropriate? Today, Chicago Tribune columnist Dawn Turner Trice examines the question: When is it okay to call someone a racist? Tell us your story. Have you called someone a racist? Has it happened to you?

Lessons For Summer Road Construction, Ditch The Detour
Do you ever feel compelled to look for the nearest exit when you see a "work zone" sign ahead? Author Tom Vanderbilt says sometimes it pays to ditch the detour! We'll talk about how the summer of road construction will affect your drive.

There are days when I'm feeling a little groggy, and I need a pick-me-up, so I head over to Getty Images, and search "Michelle Obama." I just like looking at her clothing! (I'm not the only one, either.) Here are a few of my faves.

Source: Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images

The first is my favorite outfit -- seriously, it's hard to get the right off-the-shoulder look, but a) she has amazing shoulders, and b) that shirt is super elegant. This is Mrs. Obama heading to the East Room for an evening of spoken word and poetry. (Also the President, but who cares about dude clothes?)

Source: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Next up, Mrs. Obama in THE BEST SHADE OF PURPLE EVER cutting the ribbon at the newly renovated American Wing, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Is there anything better than a bright grape-y purple? And boy, she can really work a jacket and dress combo. I wish I could get into that, but I'm so darn short that it might make me look like I had a bedspread wrapped around me. And these days, nothing can induce me to wear the four-inch heels that might make me look like a taller bedspread display. (Anyone tried these? I just ordered some.)

Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

And last but not least, a great dress that's professional and fun. This is Mrs. Obama presenting Teacher of the Year award with Jill Biden. In the cutest dress! I love that she really eschews the "politicians wife" suit. First of all, she's hot, and second of all, it's a mark of civility to choose clothes with personality that are never, ever vulgar. There is nothing in her closet that I wouldn't wear.

Walter Kendall Myers pleaded not guilty to spying for Cuba. But while the former State Department official was teaching history in Washington, his students were taking careful notes. Tom Murray wrote about his one-time professor today in the Daily Beast:

I dug through my parents' basement for my class notes, and came across lectures that, in retrospect, contained chilling information: Myers expressed high regard for the notorious Kim Philby and two other Brits-Donald Maclean and Guy Burgess-who became Soviet double agents during the Cold War.... In fact, the more I reflect back on my class with Myers, the more the clues -- and the ironies -- pile up.

In what form should the Globe be saved?

Source: cmiper

 

The Boston Globe has been in precarious circumstances for some time. Last night, staff at the Globe voted against accepting a cut in pay and benefits, potentially putting them in an even worse spot, as now the paper's parent company, the New York Times Co. said they'd need to cut pay by 23% to keep the paper from shutting down. (Seriously, get out a calculator, take 23% out of your paycheck -- and swallow hard.) As newspapers continue their years-long reckoning with profitability, this comes from the Christian Science Monitor, which, you'll remember, had to cut its print edition entirely.

Conventional wisdom holds that newspapers have been crippled by the flight of advertising to the Web. But they've been crippled just as much by corporate profiteering, arrogance, elitism, and encroaching dullness that have driven away readers, sometimes in droves.

Newspapers must look back to have a future. They need to reclaim their populist roots -- roots that the Web increasingly controls.

New York Times ethicist Randy Cohen was so impressed with President Obama's talk about a third way in the abortion debate, that it inspired him to apply that sort of thinking to another political fireball: gun ownership. Cohen proposes a radical new plan:

I propose curbing gun violence not by further restricting the availability of guns but by expanding and reorienting it. Men would still be forbidden to walk the streets armed, in accordance with current laws, but women would be required to carry pistols in plain sight whenever they are out and about.

He elaborates,

Were I to board the subway late at night, around Lincoln Center perhaps, and find it filled with women openly carrying Metropolitan Opera programs and Glock automatics, I'd feel snug and secure. A train packed with armed men would not produce the same comforting sensation. Maybe that's because men have a disconcerting tendency to shoot people, while women display admirable restraint. Department of Justice figures show that between 1976 and 2005, 91.3 percent of gun homicides were committed by men, 8.7 percent by women.

How could this plan possibly satisfy both sides of the debate?

Many pro-gun advocates assert that armed and honest citizens deter crime. My plan would expand the ranks of those worthies. And those who are anti-gun can embrace the plan as a noble experiment in gender equality.

Fascinating idea. Click over to Cohen's full column here, and read his follow-up here.

Talk To The Secretary Of Education
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has a vision for overhauling our public schools, including merit pay for teachers and increased access to charter schools. Duncan will talk about bold changes and measuring success in our education system, and how he plans to execute his plan. We want to hear from parents, teachers and administrators: What's the top priority at your school?

The Unpredictable Comedy Of Zach Galifianakis
Actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis will talk about his long career in stand-up and television, and about starring in the new comedy film The Hangover that hit number one in the box office on its opening weekend. If you don't know Zach (or how to pronounce his last name) you will soon.

Doctors on Abortion
In the wake of his murder, Dr. George Tiller's family announced today that his clinic will be permanently closed. For most doctors, the decision whether or not to perform abortions is deeply personal, and often conflicted. We'll talk with a medical doctor who chose to perform abortions, and with a physician who decided against it about their experiences.

Profiles of repo men turn up from time to time when the economy heads south. But repossessing cars and houses is a much different ballgame than running off with someone's 707 jumbo jet. Salon.com has a fascinating interview with Nick Popovich who is known as a "super repo man." And like his 4-wheeled brethren, he's faced his share of threats, guns, beatings and prisons. But it's not all showdowns and adrenaline.

"It's like a giant chess game, and the stakes can be your life," he says. "It's always a different challenge, a test of how smart you are. Can you outfox someone else? There's always going to be some covert action involved. And you throw a big payoff in there, well, it's just intoxicating." He pauses. "Repossessing a giant, gleaming multimillion dollar plane is kind of like courting a beautiful woman. Sometimes the chase is better than the catch." And the chase is never complete.

Jeffrey Goldberg writes the "What's Your Problem?" advice column for The Atlantic. He recently received an inquiry from Maya in Chapel Hill, who wants to write for the magazine someday. To give her a sense of what the job entails, he gives her a rundown of the current interns' schedule. It includes:

4:00 a.m.: Wake up

4:15 a.m.: Cardio-boxing with David Bradley, chairman, Atlantic Media Company

5:00 a.m.: Animal husbandry

5:15 a.m.: Chapel

5:45 a.m.: Time to make the doughnuts

And so on -- somehow this busy crew of interns also manages to cull competing publications from newsstands, and prepare the bedding for senior staff's naptime. Good times. Seriously, what's the weirdest thing you ever had to do for an internship?

When States Go Broke, Who Pays?
California is the richest state in the richest country in the world, but is currently facing a massive budget crisis and needs to cut $24 billion in spending. And while the state's crisis is particularly large, dozens of other states are projecting budget problems of their own. Guests on the program examine what other states can learn from California's budget crisis. And listeners tell us whether they are willing to pay more to avoid cutbacks in important programs in their state.

Hooray For Vigilantes
Last week in Philadelphia, a man wanted for questioning about the rape an 11-year-old girl was severly beaten by men in the victim's neighborhood. In an article written in Friday's edition of the Philadelphia Daily News, attorney Christine Flowers explains that while it is wrong to take the law into our own hands, in this case of vigilante justice, some are cheering.

Criminalizing HIV
Johnson Aziga is a Canadian man who was diagnosed with HIV. He had unprotected sex without telling his partners he was HIV positive. Last month, a court found Aziga guilty of murder for transmitting the disease to two female partners who later died. Should HIV be criminalized? And should those who knowingly spread the disease go to jail?

The Obamas hear the lullaby of Broadway.

Source: Aude Guerrucci-Pool/Getty Images

Every morning, when it's time to talk about what people are REALLY talking about -- in the supermarket checkout line, at barbecues, in the nail salon -- there's always one story that we all, somewhat ruefully agree, is the "talk of the nation," despite more lofty concerns and stories. And while the case of the two American journalists being held in North Korea still continues to create chatter, the two week old story that's still really buzzy is the Presidential date night. The new Camelot couple's New York jaunt left many spouses with a bad case of the 'you nevers.' More sighs at The New York Times.

While some commentators were grousing about the presidential date's undisclosed cost to the taxpayers, news of the romantic evening prompted many wives to glare across the breakfast table, trying to remember the last time their husbands made a fuss over them.

Elbowed sharply in the side, husbands felt betrayed by the commander in chief. On "The Daily Show," Jon Stewart reviewed the Obamas' glamorous foray and screeched, "How do you compete with that?" He warned Mr. Obama, "Take it down a notch, dude!"

It bugs me a little bit that we're still trapped in this notion of the responsibility falling on the husband to plan the night out -- it seems so retro. And, as many papers have pointed out, it's much easier to go out if you have a live in babysitter (in the Obama's case, Mrs. Obama's mother). But if retro also means that the First Family is fulfilling our deepest fantasies of a First Marriage, so be it. After all, it gives me an opportunity to check out the First Wardrobe. (Love the dress.)

Jeff Widener's iconic photo of Tiananmen Square from June 5, 1989 AP Photo/Jeff Widener

 

This is the photo many of us saw on the front page in June of 1989. It put a human face on an otherwise distant foreign story. USA Today this morning ran a brief piece by Jeff Widener, the AP photographer who captured that shot. It was a photo that almost never happened, and owes its existence to two men who have never been identified:

So I hid my camera inside my Levi's jacket, and stuffed my film in my underwear. Then I walked through the hotel's front door, and the guards approached me. I saw this long-haired college kid who was registered at the hotel, and I exclaimed, "Hi, Joe! I've been looking for you!" Then I whispered, "I'm from the AP. Can you show me up to your room?"

The kid picked it up immediately. We went up to his room, and then to the roof.

It's a fascinating history of an iconic image. He explains how he nearly blew the shot, and why it's the only image he hangs on his wall. The whole story is here.

Check out the challah!

Source: American Girl

 

I forgot! The whole reason I blogged about the American Girl doll hospital last week was to get this picture -- of the new Jewish American girl doll: Rebecca Rubin. (I really hope they sell all the Semitic props that go with the picture, btw. Tiny candles! And challah!) I loved this article in the New York Times, which quotes the ever-defensive (this is not a criticism, just a statement of fact) Abe Foxman from the Anti-Defamation League, this way: "It's not offensive. It's sensitive. How about that? Most of the time these things fall into stereotypes which border on the offensive."

Except for this one piece of bad luck. Rebecca Rubin shares her name with at least one notorious woman. Also from the Times:

The F.B.I. is more interested in another Rebecca Rubin. Rebecca J. Rubin, who sometimes goes by the alias Little Missy, is a fugitive who was indicted in 2006 in a series of arson fires in Oregon dating to 1997, according to her F.B.I. wanted poster.

Bummer. I still want that tiny challah and sideboard.

A sequel? Really?danielweir.esq

It's an old journalism chestnut that won't die, even after he does -- "Book J.D. Salinger for that show!" It's common knowledge that he doesn't do interviews, and he hasn't published a book in more than 40 years. He's the ultimate, impossible get. Though he doesn't seem too fond of interviews, the man loves a lawsuit. Someone named John David California (J.D. California? Really?) has written a sequel to Salinger's The Catcher In The Rye, called 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye. Salinger's suing to block its release. But here's what I want to know: Does the world really want a sequel to Catcher... Not written by Salinger? Would you read it?

Comedian Russell Peters makes fun of everybody. (Tune in to our second hour today for a good laugh.) ADAM JAN/AFP/Getty Images

Obama Promises Muslims A "New Beginning"
President Barack Obama gave a fifty-five minute speech to the Muslim world from Cairo today, promising "a new beginning" between Washington and the Muslim world. We'll hear part of his speech and ask foreign policy experts whether or not the president succeeded in his goal of changing the tone of the conversation between the United States and Muslim countries.

One Hot Actor: Bruce Campbell
Actor Bruce Campbell, the star of the USA original series Burn Notice will talk about his long career and the B-list identity he skewered in his comic-horror film My Name is Bruce.

Russell Peters Offends Your Heritage
Comedian Russell Peters tackles often sensitive cross-cultural issues in his stand-up rountines and has gained international acclaim. No ethnicity or stereotype is off-limits. Peters will talk about using his Indian heritage to help reach across cultural borders and find a common, hilarious thread. And talk about where he draws the line... if anywhere.

The Battle Of Midway, A Dawn Like Thunder
A new history of the flyers who helped turn the tide of the war in the pacific, June 4, 1942. We'll talk with Bob Mrazek, a former congressman and author of the book A Dawn Like Thunder: The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight

"Pasty" is one word that's been used to describe my complexion. So, yes, I blush. When I'm angry. Or embarrassed. Or just thinking too much about blushing. I can't say it makes me feel much better, but the New York Times reported on Monday that a well-timed blush can be endearing:

In a series of recent studies, psychologists have found that reddening cheeks soften others' judgments of bad or clumsy behavior, and help to strengthen social bonds rather that strain them. If nothing else, the new findings should take some of the personal sting out of the facial fire shower when it inevitably hits.

If you drive a Prius, or carry a reusable bag from Whole Foods, you're doing right by the planet, it's true. But odds are, you're also doing yourself some good, too.

Sure, buying a green product like one of those long-life compact fluorescent bulbs means giving up the understated softness of a regular incandescent. But you also gain something precious when you buy a compact fluorescent: status. When your friends see the bulb screwed into the socket of your lamp, many of them will think you're a better, more socially conscious person (which you may well be).... Evolutionary psychologists have a cynical term for cooperative, procommunity behaviors like buying a Prius or shopping at Whole Foods or carrying a public-radio tote bag: competitive altruism. (emphasis added)

Ahh, isn't that nice. Competitive altruism. It sounds a bit cynical, but you know it's got the ring of truth. And there are implications for future "buy green" campaigns: Studies show "status motives led people to forgo luxury only when it could influence one's reputation." So get a spokesceleb, and price your green goods a little higher if you want to convey the kind of status that gets us to whip out our Visa cards.

We may never know what happened to Air France Flight 447. (How that affects relatives and investigators will be discussed in our second hour today.) VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images

Political Junkie: Minn. Action, McHugh Joins The Army, Another NJ Christie, Sotomayor Meets & Greets
In this supersized edition of the Political Junkie, Ken Rudin talks with Elizabeth Stawicki, legal correspondent for Minnesota Public Radio, about the latest round in the fight for the Minnesota Senate seat between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman. And Tom Goldstein, an attorney and founder of Scotusblog, will talk about Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor's first day making the rounds with Senators on Capitol Hill.

Our Edible History
Tom Standage, author of An Edible History of Humanity and business editor at The Economist, will explain how, throughout history, food was a means of trade and currency. Without it, there would be no Roman Empire, Industrial Revolution, European exploration, Napoleon, Stalin, or Mao.

Flight 447: Why We Need Answers
The Brazilian air force located debris that authorities say is likely wreckage from the Air France jet that crashed into the Atlantic. One investigator says the black boxes from the airplane may never be found, which means we would never get an explanation for why the plane crashed. That can be devastating for relatives who are looking for closure, and for investigators who need answers.

Burgers and weight loss generally don't go together. We'll talk about what does work in the first hour today. Sarah Handel

Weight Loss: What Works?
Summer is here, right on schedule. But for those who vowed at the beginning of the year to lose weight by summer, the season may have come a little too soon. So what to do? When it comes to weight loss, what works? Adena Rosenthal, a self-professed yo-yo dieter, and Susan Roberts, nutritionist and author of The Diet Instinct, tell us what really works in a world of weight loss solutions that proclaim to make you skinnier... fast.

The Deadliest Catch
Ever wonder what it's like to brave the stormiest high seas aboard a fishing boat in a quest to catch a King Crab? Brothers Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand, captains of the "Time Bandit" on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch series, talk about doing one of the world's deadliest jobs as Alaska crab fishermen.

How You Are Violating A Basic Law Of Economics
In his new book, The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide: Common Sense Principles for Troubled Times, economist Robert Frank searches for examples that contradict the predictions of standard economic models. For instance, economists would say that if you found a lost wallet, you'd pocket it. Frank will explain why economists get this assumption, and many others, wrong.

Spelling Bee Discombobulation
I can still remember my 3rd grade spelling bee. It was down to two, and my opponent was my best friend, Joanne. I was given the word "otter." Easy enough, yes. But my last name is Outen, and all my life people have mispronounced it to sound like 'otter'. So surely, there must be a "u" in there... somewhere. Needless to say, I lost. Kids have been tripped up by much more impressive words than otter, so tell us which word kept you from being crowned Spelling Bee Champion! I'm sure you remember it... and can spell it perfectly now!

Oprah Winfrey arrives at the 17th Annual Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast. (Power, not, dress size, being the operative word.)

Source: Katy Winn/Getty Images

People Magazine has a "Body Watch." Among E!'s Original Countdowns are 30 Best & Worst Beach Bodies, 20 Best and Worst Celebrity Plastic Surgery Stories, and Incredible Celebrity Slimdowns. (Is "slimdown" a word?) Us has "Bump Watch." On the cover of People this week, Melissa Joan Hart is quoted calling herself "horrifying" at a post-pregnancy weight that many people would consider just fine. I won't even mention Oprah's shame-coaster. I know it's boring and annoying and shrill, but I just can't help but add my voice to the chorus of protests that accompanies the recent spate of celebrity diet-shaming. (Especially on a day when TOTN is spending some time on dieting in our first hour.) Everyone is entitled to their own feelings about their body -- dysmorphic or no -- but why must we self-flagellate with such vigor? Jan Hoffman, in the New York Times, writes a great analysis of the phenomenon, and explains the social capital a dieter may feel they're gaining, and why beating up on themselves is part of it.

Do you think we'll ever stop reducing ourselves to our size?

Here's one that caught my over the weekend. Writer Sam Schulman complained in the Wall Street Journal that journalists have gone soft... proudly confessing to being duped by mortgage brokers and stock brokers.

All of this is hard to take. Journalists are supposed to mock, not to be mocked. There was a time when the great danger, for mass-circulation writers, was not the proud confession of their own naivet?? and stupidity but an excess of knowingness, an eagerness to go too far in attacking life's "suckers." As the hardbitten reporter played by Jean Arthur, full of remorse, says of the rube Gary Cooper in Frank Capra's "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936): "He has been the victim of every conniving crook in town. The newspapers pounced on him, made him a target for their feeble humor. I was smarter than the rest of them: I got closer to him, so I could laugh louder." Now softbitten reporters are dumber than the rest of us, and they prefer to laugh at themselves.

Read the rest of it here.

Is it worth the sacrifices to save GM? Scott Olson/Getty Images

Saving GM: Is It Worth It?
General Motors Corporation filed for Chaper 11 bankrupcy today and GM has announced it will permanently close nine more plants to cut down on production and labor costs under bankruptcy protection. We'll talk with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and with Micheline Maynard, who covers the auto companies for the New York Times about the sacrifices being made by the workers, the dealers, the taxpayers, and the car makers. Is the sacrifice worth it?

The Opinion Page
We're still working on the Opinion Page, so stay tuned for details on that.

What Really Makes You Happy
Ah, the good life. Happiness. If you could buy it in a can, it would most certainly fly off the shelves. But if happiness can't be found in a store, how DO you find it? Is it found in money? Success? Love? Journalist Joshua Wolf Shenk gained access to one of the most comprehensive studies conducted to find the formula for happiness, and he may know the secret. He will unveil what he learned in our second hour. He has written an essay on the subject entitled, "What Makes Us Happy?", that appears in the June issue of The Atlantic. We'll also be joined by Todd Kashdan, professor of psychology and author of Curious: Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life.

Controversial Abortion Provider Gunned Down
George Tiller was one of the few doctors in the United States to perform late term abortions. He was shot and killed yesterday at his church in Wichita, Kansas. We'll talk with Dion Lefler, investigative reporter for the Wichita Eagle, about how the killing is affecting Kansas. We'll also talk with you about how this changes things.