April 29th Show

Last week, three New York City police officers on trial for killing Sean Bell were acquitted. Bell was African American and unarmed. The verdict sparked protests in the city and deepened long-standing feelings of fear and mistrust within the African American community toward the police. In our first hour, a columnist explains where that "culture of fear" stems from. We'll also hear from a former New York police lieutenant who described what it's like for police when they feel their life is in danger in his New York Times op-ed entitled The Fear Behind the Badge. At the end of the hour, we'll talk about the Olympic torch's scheduled ascent of Mount Everest... and how its route abruptly shuts out eager, would-be climbers from reaching one of their ultimate goals in life.

In our second hour, we'll talk about the recent headline-making Vanity Fair photograph that shows a bare-backed teenaged Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana. Whether you see it as Miley's rite of passage or as completely outrageous, there does seem to be a defining point where teen stars cross the line into more... a-hem... mature territory. (I'm thinking of Britney and Paris here). What is the road into (and out of) teenage stardom really like? And we do want to hear from you. Did you see the photos of Miley? What do you think? And does your opinion differ from your kids? At the end of the hour, the co-director and one of the student filmmakers of the HBO documentary Baghdad High talk about life as a teenager in war-torn Baghdad.

Gwen Outen

12:19 PM ET | 04-29-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 28th Show

Lynn Neary is our esteemed host today (and tomorrow as well). Here's what we're working on:

In our first hour, Howard Berkes, NPR's rural affairs correspondent, will give us an update on the young children who were recently removed from a polygamist compound in Texas. We will also hear from a spokesman for the families whose children are in state custody, an expert on Texas family law, and the president of "The Children's Shelter," a non-profit company in San Antonio that has taken-in 22 children from the compound. Following that, Les Gelb will explain whether or not we should debate with an enemy, especially if that enemy is a terrorist.

The head of the United Nations World Food Program has called the current global food crisis a "silent tsunami." It has been predicted that increases in food prices could leave more than 100 million people hungry. In our second hour, we will talk to a photographer who recently traveled to Haiti and returned with pictures of Haitians, dealing with the food shortage, and we'll speak with the director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, Jeffrey Sachs. At the end of the hour, journalist Amelia Thomas talks about the last Palestinian zoo that is located on the very edge of the West Bank. Her latest book is entitled The Zoo on the Road to Nablus.

Gwen Outen

12:14 PM ET | 04-28-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 24th Show

In our first hour today, we will talk to two doctors about the long-term effects of taking anti-depressants and will explain the physiological and psychological effects of taking them for many years. Tell us your story. Did you grow up on anti-depressants? How has this affected you? At the end of the hour, do musings, debates or all out rants about this presidential election have any place in the workplace? We'll ask syndicated columnist "Ask Amy" how to handle political discussions at work.

In our second hour, author David Hajdu explains how the early censorship of comic books created a movement that contributed to the demise of businesses, economic stability and the behavior of its young readers. Hajdu takes a look at the evolution of comic books and graphic novels in his new book, The 10 Cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How It Changed America. Which side of the comic book generation gap are you on? Following that, blogger and Miami Herald reporter Natalie McNeal talks about the extent of her personal "vow of frugality" as a way to get right with her money.

Gwen Outen

11:49 AM ET | 04-24-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 22nd Show

Happy Earth Day! We'll show our awareness and appreciation for the Earth and the environment in our first hour. Richard Harris and Chris Joyce, two of our science correspondents, will join us to talk about their reporting for NPR's year long series, Climate Connections with National Geographic. The series takes you on a journey around the globe with stories about "how the climate changes people and how people change the climate." They will tell us how our planet is doing... and what we are doing to our planet. At the end of the hour, author Steven Kurutz shows us what it really takes to be a rock star that acts like a rock star. Kurutz's new book, Like a Rolling Stone takes us backstage, onstage and on the road with Sticky Fingers, a Rolling Stones tribute band.

Earlier this month, a jury convicted a member of the street gang MS-13 for shooting and killing a stranger in a Maryland suburb. MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, originated in Los Angeles and has spread to include member cells throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America. It has become the biggest and fastest-growing of the Latin American street gangs and is gaining the reputation as the world's most dangerous gang. In today's second hour, a former member of MS-13 will talk about how the gang is organized, how it grew and why people feel compelled to become a member. At the end of the hour, Vanity Fair writer William Langewiesche talks about his recent trip to China, and explains why he feels Beijing is the perfect venue for this summer's Olympic Games. Langewiesche's article Beijing's Olympic Makeover appears in this month's issue of Vanity Fair.

Gwen Outen

12:00 PM ET | 04-22-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 21st Show

Summer is fast approaching and so is the merger between Northwest and Delta airlines. In our first hour we'll talk about what is happening in the airline industry, and what airline consolidations could mean for travelers still hoping to snag a low fare to their next destination. At the end of the first hour, we'll talk about the latest cover of Time magazine. It boasts a green border and the famous photo of Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima -- with a crucial difference -- they're raising a tree instead of an American flag. Romesh Ratnesar, the deputy managing editor of the magazine, talks about the unfavorable reaction the cover has received -- critics say the photo unfairly compares World War Two to global warming.

Today, defending champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya won his fourth Boston Marathon in six years -- and claimed the largest Boston marathon purse ever. We want to hear from you. Are you a marathon runner? What's the experience really like? And seriously....why do you do it? Speaking of running...our producers are making a mad dash to confirm our final show topic of the day. So stay tuned!

Gwen Outen

11:52 AM ET | 04-21-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 17th Show

In the year since Seung-Hui Cho opened fire at Virginia Tech and killed thirty-two students and faculty members before turning the gun on himself, colleges across the country have sought to bolster their counseling departments and health services in an attempt to identify troubled students before they do harm to themselves or others. Gregory Eells, the director of counseling and psychological services at Cornell University, will talk about his school's unique risk assessment services, how they are working, and what happens when a professor notices a "red flag" in a student's behavior. At the end of the first hour, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock talks about going on the hunt in several middle east countries for his latest documentary Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?

Journalist Misha Glenny will be our guest in the second hour. He has written a new book entitled, McMafia: A Journey Through The Global Criminal Underworld in which Glenny outlines that while globalization may have given the world new opportunities for trade and investments, it also gave rise to a global black market, and made it easier for criminal networks to do business. Following that, we'll talk to two women who are faaaar from vertically challenged and find out what it's really like to be a woman over six feet tall.

Gwen Outen

12:20 PM ET | 04-17-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 15th Show

(Today, we promise not to ask you to call in and explain why you waited until the last minute to turn in your taxes.)

We've named our first hour topic "Designer Babies," but we're not talking about trendy onesies designed by Prada. Guests on the show will detail advances that are being made in human genetic engineering. In other words, in about 20 years, YOU may have the ability to actually design your baby... from what he or she (your choice) will actually look like to how smart or athletic they will be. We'll talk about the implications and ethical concerns of choosing to design the "perfect" baby. Following that, we'll talk with two reporters about final preparations for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States. The Pope is scheduled to arrive in Washington today.

Now, I have not yet watched the HBO miniseries John Adams, but I know plenty of people who are deeply engrossed in it every week. And after listening to their rave reviews, I'm completely convinced that I am missing something special. By the end of today's second hour, I'm sure I'll be sending out an email begging to borrow the first episode. The miniseries is based on a Pulitzer Prize winning biography of John Adams by David McCullough. McCullough will be our guest on our program, along with Tom Hooper, the director of the HBO miniseries. At the end of the hour, we'll read from your emails and blog comments, and say a heart-felt "hello" to our new Talk of the Nation listeners in Birmingham, Alabama. Welcome WBHM and WSGN!!!!

Gwen Outen

11:44 AM ET | 04-15-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 14th Show

Last week Senator Barack Obama spoke at a private fundraiser in San Francisco and talked about his challenge to win the vote of the working class in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Here was his explanation:

...it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations....

Obama's remarks were later criticized by his Democratic rival Senator Hillary Clinton and the presumptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain. In our first hour today, we'll talk about the voters in the working class sector in America. Who are they? What issues are important to them? And are they, in fact, bitter? Following that, we'll talk to Andrew Rasiej about his op-ed that appeared on Politico.com last week about why we should expect more from government websites.

In our second hour, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr will join us to talk about his long career in baseball, and the eight elements of perseverance that make a difference. He outlines them in his book, Get In The Game, now out in paperback. Following that, we'll take a ride with New Yorker staff writer Nick Paumgarten and find out about the strange day-to-day life of an elevator. How do you define your experience with being vertically transported on one? Fondness? Or phobia?

Gwen Outen

12:12 PM ET | 04-14-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 10th Show

Last month, a 16-year-old girl called a family abuse center in Texas and reported she'd been sexually abused by a 50-year-old man who she said was her husband. The call sparked a government raid on the the Texas compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and police removed hundreds of women and children. In our first hour, a San Antonio reporter will give an update on what has been happening in the case, and an Atlanta attorney will talk about the legal history of polygamy. At the end of the hour two, the manager at the Regus Express in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport suggests ways you can kill time when your flight gets canceled. And author Pico Iyer returns to the show. He's on a book tour, and knows all about killing time in the airport.

For our full second hour, we'll hear music from bassist Marcus Miller and his band. His latest CD is entitled "Marcus" and Studio 4A is his next stop on his North American tour. If you're not familiar with Marcus or his music, please see my upcoming blog entitled, I Heart Marcus Miller.

Sit back, and enjoy.

Gwen Outen

12:22 PM ET | 04-10-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 9th Show

We hope you enjoyed our program yesterday from the Newseum. Today, we're back at home in Studio 3A...and here's what's coming up:

In this week's edition of the Political Junkie, NPR's Ken Rudin talks about yesterday's testimonies by General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the stepping down of Hillary Clinton's chief strategist, and former Republican congressman Bob Barr's possible run for president...as a Libertarian. And of course we'll test your political savvy with this week's trivia question. At the end of the hour, we'll talk New York Sun reporter Lenore Skenazy about the overwhelming response she received when she wrote about her decision to let her 9-year-old ride the New York subway alone.

In our second hour, we'll talk to Murat Kurnaz about his book called Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo. In it, Kurnaz details his experience of spending five years being tortured and interrogated by U.S. military personnel in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. At the end of the hour, author Rosalind Wiseman talks about bullying behavior in light of a YouTube video that shows a sixteen year old girl being attacked by cheerleaders on her squad.

Gwen Outen

12:59 PM ET | 04- 9-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 7th Show

In our first hour, we will talk with Esquire magazine staff writer Chris Jones about his article entitled, "The Things That Carried Him." In it, Jones gives an intimate, detailed look at what is involved when a soldier is killed in Iraq and takes the long journey home to his final resting place. Jones' article is featured in the May issue of the magazine. If you are involved in the transfer of bodies and remains of military personnel, or if you are a family member who's been through this process, please tell us your story. Following that, we'll speak with African-American historian Marvin Dunn about his op-ed entitled, "Make the apology meaningful." Dunn will offer some suggestions on how the state of Florida's recent apology for the enslavement of African-Americans could be more meaningful. His op-ed appeared in the April 6th edition of the Miami Herald.

Raising a child has become big business. In our second hour, author Pamela Paul will tell us just how big the child rearing industry is, and we'll ask the parents out there: Is there a product or service in particular that you (or your child) cannot live without? And how much would you pay for it? At the end of the hour, we'll break down the science of will power... or lack thereof. Can't stick to that diet? You may need to strengthen your brain.

Gwen Outen

12:31 PM ET | 04- 7-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 3rd Show

In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe's grip on power seems to be weakening. As election results there suggest Mugabe has lost control of parliament and possibly his position as president, Mugabe's only course of action may be to accept a run-off vote. In our first hour, we'll talk about the possible future of Zimbabwe-- post-Mugabe. After that, we will talk to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom about the Olympic torch's arrival in the city next week, the torch's only appearance in the United States. The city is bracing for planned demonstrations in protest of China's record on human rights issues.

In our second hour, we'll remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tomorrow marks the 40th year since his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee. Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson will talk about his new book, April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Death and How it Changed America. At the end of that hour, we will switch gears and talk about the puzzling business of constructing crossword puzzles. Guest Merl Reagle begins his weekly stint as the The Washington Post's crossword puzzler this Sunday. Think you can stump Reagle and solve his puzzle? He'll have one for you. Call in and test your wits.

Gwen Outen

12:11 PM ET | 04- 3-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

April 2nd Show

Well, it turns out our political junkie Ken Rudin did decide come back from vacation... complete with a little sun-kissed tan thing going on. The world of politics keeps turning, and in our first hour we'll ask Ken about the continuing battle for the Democratic nomination, the lead-up to Pennsylvania and a new poll that finds Hillary Clinton holds a lead over Barack Obama AND John McCain in that state. Then we'll ask YOU to come up with your President-Vice President dream ticket. Who is your pick for vice-prez for either Obama, Clinton or McCain? (Can I nominate Ken Rudin?) At the end of the hour, we'll talk with a child psychologist about a story out of Georgia where a group of third graders are suspected of plotting to attack their teacher.

In our second hour, we'll talk to two clergymen with different views on how the African American church should deal with racism. Is the church responsible for shedding light and focusing on the issue? We will also give an historical perspective of the religious philosophy of 'black liberation theology.' At the end of the hour, we've got more music for you... this time from Swedish indie pop star Jens Lekman. If you're familiar with him (possibly from his appearance in this year in the SXSW music festival) give us a call or send in your blog comments. And sit back and enjoy!!

Gwen Outen

12:14 PM ET | 04- 2-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Maple Leaves, Homeless Kitties, and Awkward Family Dinners...

Jens Lekman in Paris in February.

Source: FXR [aka Sounds'FX]

Later on today TOTN brings you more live music, this time from someone you may not have heard yet... Here's a preview of today's show with Jens Lekman from producer Susannah George:

That's right you indie rock lovin' Talk Of The Nation listeners... The Swedish pop star Jens Lekman is going to grace the TOTN audience today to play a few songs and talk about his music (we like to call it a "perf-chat"). Jens' music is difficult to pin down: While his lyrics are often compared to Stephen Merritt of the Magnetic Fields, his love for sampling conjures Kanye West. I was first introduced to Jens in one of the best ways to be introduced to any artist... at a live show. I was reluctant to go -- it was a work night, and I was leaving for Chicago the next day from work and I still needed to pack. But as soon I heard the first jazzy horns of "The Opposite of Hallelujah," I was hooked. And the spell lasted way past the encore performance of "Pocketful of Money." So tune in, turn up your radio and share your Jens Lekman story with us here. Yours Truly, Susannah

Sarah Handel

10:01 AM ET | 04- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

April 1st Show

**The following topics are not a joke. I repeat, not a joke..**

In our first hour today, we'll talk more about the flailing economy but we'll focus on the silver lining the financial markets have cast on some businesses... namely law practices, real estate agencies and pawn and consignment shops. How's business for you? As the dollar goes down, has your business surprisingly gone up? Later in the hour, we'll read from your email and blog comments, and talk to Mark Vonnegut, the son of Kurt Vonnegut, about his father's last collection of essays entitled, Armageddon in Retrospect.

For some, the incredible shrinking dollar has screwed up upcoming vacation plans. Not only are you bound to feel the pinch once you arrive in that faraway land, you'll likely suffer a big squeeze just GETTING there. Thanks to steadily rising gas prices, you'll be paying more for not only your tank, but your airfare as well. Help is on the way! Rick Seaney, one of the founders of FareCompare.com, and travel guide writer and public TV and radio host Rick Steves will give us some advice on how to get the cheapest airfare and more bang for your buck once your get to your destination. After that, we will honor April Fool's Day with Popular Mechanics writer Eric Wilhelm who will talk about the article, "Top 5 April Fools' Day Pranks You Can Build in Your Office." Wilhelm will tell us everything you want to know about conjuring up the perfect prank. Have you pulled an April Fool's joke that you are particularly proud of? How about one that you thought was absolutely brilliant... and it totally backfired?

Happy April Fool's Day. Try not to injure anyone.

Gwen Outen

12:18 PM ET | 04- 1-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 31st Show

At the top of the show, we will talk about what is happening in Iraq a day after Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his militiamen to put down their weapons. This comes after ongoing violence between Shiite militas and Iraqi and U.S. forces. We'll talk about what happened and what it means for the future of Iraq. Following that, we'll talk to writer Rachel Donadio about her essay that appeared in the New York Times last weekend entitled, It's Not You, It's Your Books. In it, she describes how similar tastes in literature could indicate romantic compatibility and a missed literary reference "makes it chillingly clear that a romance is going nowhere fast". So tell us... Do you have a literary standard that could make or break a budding relationship?

In our second hour, we will talk with journalist Pico Iyer about violence and anti-Chinese protests in Tibet. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet, but he is also the head of the Tibetan government and has been blamed for the unrest by the Chinese government. Iyer will talk about his conversations with the current Dalai Lama over the past 34 years, and his new book, Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. At the end of the hour, we'll talk to you about what you were doing this past Saturday evening when the world went dark for a full hour. Were you a participant in "Earth Hour"? (Did you even notice?)

Gwen Outen

11:54 AM ET | 03-31-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 27th Show

In our first hour today, we'll talk to guests and to YOU about that "a-ha!" moment when you realized exactly what your political views are. We want to hear about the people or experiences that helped shape those beliefs. Was it a family member who triggered your lightbulb moment? Or a stint as student body president? Maybe it was a contentious debate with a friend with an opposing view. What happened in your life that determined your political views? Tell us your story. We'll spend part of the hour talking to the head of NPR's "Get My Vote" online project that gives people a platform to share their personal stories about how their core political beliefs were formed. At the end of the hour, NPR's David Folkenflik will talk about an internal investigation at The Los Angeles Times over an article that linked associates of Sean "Diddy" Combs to the 1994 attack on rapper Tupac Shakur. New evidence has revealed that details in the report were partially based on false documents.

In our second hour we will be joined by Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East negotiator. Miller's new non-fiction book, The Much Too Promised land, America's Elusive Search for Arab Israeli Peace, goes inside the workings of the Middle East conflict. Miller will explain why he believes that peace in the region is possible. Stay tuned for the topic of discussion for the end of the hour. We're working on it!!!

Gwen Outen

12:17 PM ET | 03-27-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 26th Show

Today, the role of the political junkie will be played by Matt Bai, author and political writer for the New York Times magazine. (Ken Rudin is on vacation and has yet to promise us that he will be back next week). In this week's Political Junkie, we'll talk about Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama, the delegate grab-bag in Michigan and Ohio, and author Leslie Bennetts will try to put to rest the question that has been rearing its head around the political-sphere: Should Hillary drop out the race? Stay tuned for our topic of discussion for the end of the hour. It's coming together as I type this.

In our second hour, Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired magazine, Kevin Rose, founder of Digg.com, and Brad Feld, a venture capitalist, talk about the cost of offering online information... at NO cost. How does it work? How do businesses get their money? And is this the only business model that works? At the end of the hour, Moises Naim, editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine, explains why he believes the lifestyles of the existing American middle class will have to drastically change to make room for a new emerging global middle class.

Gwen Outen

12:17 PM ET | 03-26-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 25th Show

In our first hour, we will be joined by Douglas Blackmon, the Atlanta bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal. Blackmon will talk about his book Slavery by Another Name, where he argues that slavery did not end with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, but in fact continued for another 80 years, a period which Blackmon calls an "Age of Neoslavery." Following that, we'll talk with Los Angeles Times columnist Meghan Daum about why she feels women see their sexuality as their only currency. Daum's column appeard in the March 15th edition of the L.A. Times entitled, "Raunch is rebranded as 'confidence.'"

We'll talk about the psychology of a rumor in the second hour and how our brains distinguish truth from fiction. According to an article written by guest Farhad Manjoo for the New York Times, "repetition, psychologists have shown, easily tricks us... if one person tells you that something is true many times, you are likely to conclude that the opinion is widely held, even if no one else said a thing about it." Tell us your story. Have you ever been subject to a rumor? How did you handle it? At the end of the hour, we'll talk with author Neal Pollack about his recent experience as a spectator in the "all-you-can-eat" bleacher seats at Dodger Stadium. (Sorry. Beer not included.)

Gwen Outen

12:19 PM ET | 03-25-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 24th Show

The number of U.S. military personnel killed in Iraq has reached 4,000. Today, we want to talk about who those men and women were. Call, email or leave us a blog comment with your stories about a loved one who you've lost in the war over the past five years. Tell us what you remember most about them, and how your lives have changed. We will talk about fallen US service members for most of the first hour. Following that, we will talk to Bomani Armah about his Washington Post op-ed where he gives a satirical take on why he feels it's time for Barack Obama to switch gears. His piece is entitled, Okay, Barack. Now Show 'Em Your White Side.

Now I haven't had the gross pleasure of watching the Discovery Channel series called "Dirty Jobs", but what I've heard so far??? EWWW! Mike Rowe, the host of the program, will be our guest in our second hour to talk about what it's like to be knee and elbow deep in some of the more disgustingly messy jobs that could ever grace a resume. We're talking everything from installing a billboard to collecting road kill. Think you can top him? Call in with a dirty job of your own. You may give Mike Rowe ideas for his next episode! After that, we will talk about the sweetness of the NCAA sweet 16!!!

Gwen Outen

12:06 PM ET | 03-24-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 20th Show

The discussion of race continues to be a hot button issue across America... even if the conversation is simply, "I'm tired of talking about race!!!" Whether or not you ARE talking about race, the door has certainly opened to let your opinions in. In this show's case, our phone lines and blog comment space are open and we will continue to invite you in to talk about your views and opinions as we try to peel back layers upon layers concerning the issue of race in the coming weeks. Today, for our entire first hour, we will discuss HOW we talk about race. What do you say when you're sitting at your dinner table surrounded by loved ones? Does that change when you are in public or among people of different ethnic groups than your own? Are you more uncomfortable? Do you completely shut down? Or have you chosen not to discuss race at all? We want to hear from everyone today... and particularly from those of you who may be feeling left out of the discussion entirely. Do you feel the issue of race has been narrowed down to just a "black-white" issue? Please call-in or send us your blog comments.

Our first hour should generate a very lively and perhaps a sometimes heated discussion. So for our second hour we'll cool things down a bit with some music!! Singer/songwriter Tift Merritt will be here with her band to play a few tunes. She went to Paris, France to write her latest album, it is titled Another Country (she'll be singing strictly in English, though). She'll talk about how 'Gay Paree' changed her sound, her life on the road and how she moonlights as a public radio host. Following that, pull out your Easter Bonnet (or Easter Brim). Los Angeles Times columnist Patt Morrison will talk about the allure of the hat!

Happy first day of spring!!!

Gwen Outen

12:25 PM ET | 03-20-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 19th Show

Neal Conan is back, looking rested, refreshed, and ready to talk about today's topics...

Politics, politics and more politics. So much politics, that we've decided to mega-size our mega-sized Political Junkie this week. Ken Rudin will be with us for the full first hour, which will be divided into three segments. In the first part of the hour, we'll talk more about the speech made yesterday by Barack Obama, explain a just released 11,000 page document outlining Hillary Clinton's time and involvement as First Lady, and discuss John McCain's recent gaffe during a Middle East tour. Our second Political Junkie segment will focus on the impact Obama's speech made on white voters, and why white voters in mostly urbanized areas are not as enthusiastic about voting for Obama. And in the final segment, we will talk with Iraq war veterans who are running for Congress and find out whether their war experience plays into their campaigning.

In our second hour of Talk of the Nation, we will commemorate the fifth year anniversary of the Iraq War. Eric Owles, chief multi-media producer for NYTimes.com, will talk about his travels around Baghdad and the experiences told to him by Iraqis about life in the region since the start of the war. Following that conversation, we'll focus on the medical care system for those who have been wounded in the war, and provide and update on the current conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Gwen Outen

12:21 PM ET | 03-19-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 18th Show

In today's first hour, we'll hear audio from today's Supreme Court proceedings in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller. The Court is now in a position to decide whether or not the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own guns. Our guests will be Los Angeles Times Supreme Court reporter David Savage and the two main lawyers who argued the case today. Following that, we'll answer your questions about the Federal Reserve Board with the former director of the Federal Reserve Board's Division of Monetary Affairs. And we'll read from your letters and blog comments and hear from author ZZ Packer about which century she'd like her personal time travel machine to land in.

For our entire second hour today, we will talk to guests about a speech made earlier today by Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama where he addressed the issue of race and how it has played out in this election. In his speech, Obama said, in part:

"...Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naive as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy -- particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own. But I have asserted a firm conviction -- a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people -- that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice is we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union...."

Guests in our second hour talk about their reaction to Obama's speech on race and controversial remarks made by his longtime pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

Gwen Outen

12:13 PM ET | 03-18-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 17th Show

Top o' the morning to ya!! Lynn Neary will be the host on today's show (and tomorrow). And here's what's coming up!! (I wish I could write this all in green):

The lucky charm of St. Patrick's Day hasn't affected Wall Street, but a lot of green is certainly flying around. Bear Stearns, the fifth-largest investment bank, has been bought by JPMorgan Chase at $2 a share. As a result, the Federal Reserve will provide up to $30 billion to JPMorgan Chase to help it finance the purchase. The Fed will also cut interest rates on direct loans to banks to prevent a market meltdown. So what the heck does all this mean? We'll ask Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com about the buy-out deal and the possible affects it could have on small businesses. Then on our opinion page, Stephen Kuusisto talks about his piece, from last Friday's edition of The New York Times, in which he explains the ways visually impaired people are uniquely and extraordinarily qualified to hold leadership positions.

In our second hour, we'll talk about brain enhancement drugs. Pills like Ritalin and Adderall not only help people with conditions such as attention deficit disorder, they help students, teachers and professionals get a little brain boost as well. Guest Barbara Sahakian, professor of clinical neuropsychology at Cambridge University, has dubbed brain enhancers "the professor's little helper." Have you used brain enhancement drugs to help you perform more efficiently at school or work? Tell us your story. At the end of the hour, we'll talk to Tom Rosenstiel, director for The Project for Excellence in Journalism, about the just released report that analyzes the state of the news media.

Enjoy today! May the luck of the Irish be with you!!!

Gwen Outen

11:46 AM ET | 03-17-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 13th Show

In our first hour of Talk of the Nation (and our last day with guest host Robert Smth) we'll discuss dissent in the military. A former Marine sargent will be among our guests who will explain the consequences for disagreeing with a commanding officer in the military. At the end of the hour, we'll talk to Chicago Tribune syndicated advice columnist Amy Dickinson about marital infidelity and when a man or woman should (or shouldn't) stand by their cheating spouse.

In our second hour, we will talk to C. Vivian Stringer, head coach of the Rutgers University women's basketball team, about her recent 800th career game win, bouncing back from Don Imus' racial slur against her Rutgers team, and her new autobiography Standing Tall: A memoir of Tragedy and Triumph. Following that, we'll talk to the filmmakers of Girls Rock, a documentary about a music camp in Portland, Oregon where girls aged 8 to 18 learn what it takes to be a rock star in a rock-and-roll band.

Gwen Outen

12:13 PM ET | 03-13-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 12th Show

In today's Political Junkie, NPR's Ken Rudin talks about New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's announcement that he is resigning amid allegations that he was a client in a high-end prostitution ring. We'll also look back at yesterday's primary results in Mississippi, and look ahead to Pennsylvania. And we'll discuss Geraldine Ferraro's recent remarks about Sen. Barack Obama. Ferraro, a former Democratic vice-presidential nominee was quoted as saying: "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept." Former presidential campaign manager Susan Estrich will explain how campaigns deal with the fall-out when candidate surrogates make controversial comments. Following that, we'll talk with horror guru Stephen King. The man who has sent shivers up our spines and blankets over our heads will talk about his love for....comic books. What? Actually it does make sense. Marvel comics has just released the next installment in a series of comic books inspired by King's Dark Tower series.

There's not much I remember about my early childhood. One thing I do remember is being about four years old and clapping my hands in excitement whenever I saw a particular gentleman friend of the family. That's because I knew whenever he saw me, he would do a magic trick for me. Usually it was of the basic pull a quarter out of my ear variety, but I adored it! I've been a true fan of magic (and our family friend) ever since. In our second hour, New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik will talk about the future of modern magic, and magician Jamy Ian Swiss talks about the art of teaching and preserving "old school" magic tricks. Following that, we will answer your questions about a disturbing study that reports one in four teenage American girls has a sexually transmitted disease.

Gwen Outen

12:04 PM ET | 03-12-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 11th Show

In our first hour today, we will discuss the news that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was alledgedly involved in a prostitution ring. As we speak, several New York newspapers are calling for Governor Spitzer's resignation. But today we'll ask our guests if there is a case to be made for Spitzer keeping his job. We'll talk about Spitzer's political career, and ask the question, "When does sex become a public issue?" We're still working on our main "ender" topic, so stay tuned for that. And we'll read from your email and blog comments at some point during the hour.

So I've gotta say, 2008 has been a pretty far-out year for me so far. Not for any particular reason. Being part of this brand new millenium is just absolutely cool. But I do have to say, from a musical standpoint, the '70s must have been the era to be in. Live bands where horn players were prominent, bass lines were strong and deep "in-the-pocket," and lyrics uplifted and inspired. And that's just the funk bands. It was the golden age for a songwriter strumming an acoustic guitar, too. If I could travel in time, l'd be the Afro proud girl wearing a caftan with stack of LPs under her arm, circa 1975. So tell us... where would you go if you could time travel? Would you go forward or backward? In our second hour, we'll theorize about traveling through time and ask you and our guests, "What time and place would you like to travel to, and why?" At the end of the hour, we'll talk to David Granger, Esquire magazine's editor-in-chief, about a recently published piece that appeared in the magazine detailing the final days of the late actor Heath Ledger... entirely from his point of view. It's all completely fake, but Granger calls it 'reported fiction.' Tell us what you think.

Gwen Outen

12:08 PM ET | 03-11-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 10th Show

All this week, Neal Conan is away and NPR reporter Robert Smith will be in the Talk of the Nation host chair. This is what Robert will be talking to our guests (and you) about today:

As Democratic Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama run neck-and-neck in the race to the White House, "experience" seems to be the word that most often divides them. Does experience really matter? We're asking that question of presidential historian Robert Dallek... and YOU in our first hour. Tell us what type of experience you feel is the right one for a president. Stayed tuned for the ender topic for that hour. We are working on our 'opinion page' segment as I type this.

The Wire. What can I say about The Wire? I've come to know the characters better than I know members of my own family. The series finale aired last night. Now, I must confess here that I'm a late bloomer when it comes to The Wire. I started watching this fifth season mainly out of curiosity because I knew the series was ending and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I got so hooked on it that a few months ago I started Netflixing the show from the beginning... Season one, episode one. I haven't had much of a personal life since. So while the series has officially ended, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of episode one, season three. The love affair continues!!! BUT while I am still in the first blush of a budding romance, I have now seen how it eventually ends, and this makes me sad. Anyone else feel the same way? Need to talk it out? How about a therapy session with The Wire creator David Simon and co-producer Ed Burns? They are our guests in the second hour to talk about The Wire, Omar, and our heartstrings getting "got." ~sniff~ At the end of the hour, we'll talk about what the discovery of trace amounts of prescription drugs in our drinking water could mean for you and the safety of your water.

Gwen Outen

11:44 AM ET | 03-10-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 6th Show

For our entire first hour today, we'll have a conversation with four reporters who have been covering the war in Iraq since it began almost five years ago. NPR senior Foreign Correspondent Anne Garrels and NPR news analyst Ted Koppel will begin the program, and later in the hour we'll be joined by John Burns of The New York Times and Hoda Abdel Hamid of Al Jazeera. They will all give their personal accounts of what they have seen and heard while reporting in Iraq, how the stories have changed over the years, and which stories they can no longer cover.

We'll take a look at the future of Iraq in our second hour. Troop levels in the region are a major political issue in this presidential election. Both Democratic hopefuls say they will withdraw US troops in Iraq, while the presumptive Republican nominee argues the United States should "stay the course" in Iraq until the job is done. So what do we do? Two military experts with different points of view discuss the risks and benefits of pulling out of Iraq... or staying. At the end of the hour, we'll talk about the buzz surrounding Michigan, Florida and a possible voter "re-do" that could tip the Democratic presidential nomination

Gwen Outen

12:21 PM ET | 03- 6-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 5th Show

Our first hour today will be branded a NPR News Special, with host Neal Conan. You'll hear the proper trumpet fanfare letting you know that for the full hour we will be talking about the results of last night's presidential primaries. Mike Huckabee has dropped out of the race and now John McCain is officially the Republican nominee after winning in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island...and getting the endorsement of President Bush this morning. On the Democratic side, the battle goes on. Hillary claimed victory in Ohio and Texas and Rhode Island last night, but Obama still leads in the delegate count. So where do we go from here? Our own senior Washington editor Ron Elving will join Neal Conan and campaign managers for Clinton, Obama and McCain for a look at what's changed in this election. Towards the end of the hour, we'll talk to former Congresswoman and 1984 Democratic vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro.

In our second hour, it's back to Talk of the Nation. *cue familiar theme music here* We will talk about the often painful decision families make in confronting loved ones who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. How exactly does intervention work? And how effective is confrontation when the addict hasn't hit rock bottom? Guests will talk about the pros and cons of staging interventions for drug and alcohol abusers. Following that discussion, we'll talk about Venezuela and Ecuador's growing conflict with Colombia. Last weekend, Colombia crossed the border and conducted a deadly assault against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (or FARC) rebel camp inside Ecuador.

Gwen Outen

12:07 PM ET | 03- 5-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 4th Show

Neal Conan is back, and here's what's happening today:

So of course we know we're supposed to pay off our credit cards, but with talk of an impending recession, it seems we need those credit cards more and more often. In our first hour, we'll talk about that darn credit card debt. How to manage it, ways to control it, and advice on how to avoid it altogether. Then, have you seen that video of the plane landing in Germany that was caught in the cross-winds? It's seeing things that like that cause me to make a mental note to pay close attention to the "in case of emergency" spiel before take off next time. We'll go inside the cockpit with George Bibel and find out how much blood, sweat and tears it takes to safely land an aircraft. At the end of the hour, we'll read your email and blog comments about life after serving a long-term prison sentence and the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller.

In our second hour, journalist Amy Sutherland gives us some advice on how to improve your relationships by applying some of the same techniques animal trainers use to tame even the wildest of beasts. She's written it all down in a new book entitled, What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage: Lessons for People from Animals and Their Trainers.
Then we'll give a play-by-play rundown of some of the more memorable moments in the career of Green Bay Packer quarterback Brett Favre. An official announcement that Favre is retiring was made this morning.

Gwen Outen

11:52 AM ET | 03- 4-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

March 3rd Show

Today, NPR reporter Ari Shapiro will grace our airwaves from the host's chair. (Neal Conan will be back tomorrow.) And here's what's coming up on the show today:

In our first hour, we will discuss the the debate over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Right now, Congress is still negotiating to amend the law that tells the President when he needs a court warrant to eavesdrop on phone or email conversations. FISA has been amended many times over the past 30 years, but this time has been unexpectedly difficult. The Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's National Security Division will be among the guests to discuss the details of a new FISA law. Later in the first hour, we'll talk with David Kuo, a former deputy director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Kuo wrote an op-ed that appeared in the February 24th edition of the Washington Post where he examines the question, "Who will govern the new religious right?"

In our second hour, we will talk about how people in the Muslim world view democracy, radicalism and women's rights. And if you ever wondered what Muslims admire most and least about the West, a Gallup organization posed the question to both Muslims and Westerners. Surprisingly, both groups gave nearly the same answers. We'll talk about the survey with Dalia Mogahed, co-author of a new book entitled, Who Speaks for Islam? What a billion Muslims really think. The book represents the largest comprehensive survey of Muslim attitudes around the world. Following that discussion, we'll talk about why many Latino voters tend to favor Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama.

Gwen Outen

12:09 PM ET | 03- 3-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

February 28th Show

So normally I would say something at the top of the blog like "So here's what's coming up on this last day of the month..." But today, that won't work. So instead I'll say, "Let's take a leap into what's happening on the show today: (I know. Forgive me. I'm feeling a bit punchy today...).

At a press conference this morning, President Bush addressed concerns about our sluggish economy. Higher oil and gas, foreclosures, a weakened dollar and a possible recession have been making news headlines. And the word "stagflation" has been floating around. What does it all mean for us? Economists will answer your questions about how you should alter your short, middle and long range financial plans and the different ways to view your assets. Then we'll take a look at our Talk of the Nation fantasy portfolio and the stock market in this shaky economy with our Motley Fool, David Gardner.

The Olympics have served not only as an arena where the best athletes in the world compete, but also as a place where politics and ideologies collide. For the entire second hour, we will look at how politics have risen to the forefront in the Olympics, past and present. In the 1968 Olympic Games, gold medalist Tommie Smith raised a fist for Black power at the medal ceremony. Anita DeFrantz filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Olympic Committee protesting the boycott of the 1980 Olympics in the Soviet Union. And Joey Cheek donated his earnings to refugees in the Darfur region after winning a gold medal at the 2006 Olympics. Smith, DeFrantz and Cheek will each talk about the symbolism behind their decisions. And at the end of the hour, we'll talk with Margaret Lambert, a Jewish athlete who was told her performance did not qualify her to compete at the 1936 Olympic Games.

Gwen Outen

12:12 PM ET | 02-28-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Special Coverage: White House Press Conference

Where it will all go down.

Source: Getty Images

Earlier this morning, we got word that the president plans to hold a press conference. He'll step up to the podium in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at 10:05 a.m.

Neal will anchor NPR's special coverage, which will be available on many NPR member stations, and at npr.org. And I'll blog about the conference here, in real time.

David Gura

9:11 AM ET | 02-28-2008 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

February 26th Show

In our first hour today, we'll talk about the price of buy-outs. Ford Motor Company is currently pushing their employees to take buyouts that include $140,000 or college tuition plans. Sounds good, right? Buy-outs are one of the standard ways a company reduces its work force, but some people warn that if you take it, you might live to regret it. Have you ever been offered a buy-out? What did you do? Tell us your experience. After that, put on your red leather zipper jacket and let's go back 25 years to the moment you put a needle to Michael Jackson's Thriller album. Personally, I find it hard to believe that it's been a quarter century since my best friend Stephanie and I re-wound our VHS recording of the 'Thriller' mini-movie countless times and learned the ghoulish dance routine, step for step. (I also can't believe 25 years later, I still remember most of it.) A Thriller CD-DVD has been released this week that features remixes of the album's songs. But today, we're sticking to the original. Do you remember the first time you heard this classic record? Which song was your favorite? And how big of a fan were you? Did you pattern your Jheri curl to look like Michael's? Or were you just brave enough to wear one shiny glove?

Next Monday, new guidelines are set to go into effect that will retroactively reduce the sentences for crack cocaine offenders, which means around 1,500 crack offenders could apply for immediate release. In today's second hour, we will talk with ex-prisoners about the challenges of re-assimilating into society after serving long term sentences. After that, blogger Christian Lander talks about how and why he created a list called "Stuff White People Like." And we'll read read from your blog and email comments on shows that aired last week.

Enjoy!

Gwen Outen

11:36 AM ET | 02-26-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

February 21st Show

Here's a quick look at what's coming up on the show today:

In our first hour, we'll ask NPR's Senior Washington Editor to explain the ins and outs of today's front page story in the New York Times about Sen. John McCain, and why it's caused such a stir. Then, we will talk with Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page, author Jill Nelson, and New York Times online columnist Stanley Fish about identity politics, and whether it should play a role in how you cast your vote. In this election season, one candidate is identified as African-American; another as a woman. Does this change the way you view politics? Let us know if and how identity politics effects you in this election. Following that, "Ask Amy" Chicago Tribune syndicated columnist Amy Dickinson will talk to us about pet peeves and how we should handle them.

In 2003, eight percent of junior officers with four to nine years of experience left the army. Last year that percentage went up to thirteen. In our second hour, reporter Andrew Tilghman will talk about an article he wrote for Washington Monthly magazine that outlines what the reduction of the young 'best and brightest' could mean for the war in Iraq, and the future of the military. After that, we pull out the red carpet and talk to New York Times arts and culture reporter David Carr about the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony. "And the Oscar SHOULD go to....."

Gwen Outen

12:31 PM ET | 02-21-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

February 20th Show

In today's mega sized Political Junkie, NPR's Ken Rudin talks about Sen. Barack Obama's increased momentum, Sen. John McCain's winning streak, and the importance of Texas and Ohio for Sen. Hillary Clinton. And just how powerful are words? Barack Obama has shown he can move a crowd just by opening his mouth... and move his opponents to take jabs at him for his ability to do so. We'll talk to Rudin, and to YOU, about the importance of rhetoric. Following that discussion, look up at the sky. Is it a bird? A plane? Nope. It's an out-of-control spy satellite and a lunar eclipse. At the end of the first hour, we'll talk about military preparations to shoot down a US spy satellite as it falls toward the Earth. (Now, that actually does sound like a job for Superman, doesn't it?) And we'll also talk about the significance of a total lunar eclipse. If you miss the one tonight, you'll have to wait until the end of 2010 to see it again. Got any rituals planned?

In our second hour, we'll talk about a new study that shows most people are most unhappy right in the middle of their 40s. Yes, pretty depressing. But the good news is if you hang in there and live past 70, chances are good that you will feel just as happy as you were in your 20s. The authors of the study will be here to answer all your questions. And we want to hear from you as well. Are you past middle age? What's it like on the other side? And if you're approaching middle age, what are you doing to keep yourself happy? At the end of the hour, we'll talk to boxing legend Evander Holyfield about his career, his new book, and that infamous Mike Tyson ear biting incident.

Gwen Outen

12:15 PM ET | 02-20-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

February 19th Show

Fidel Castro this morning announced in a statement to the Communist Party daily Granma that he is stepping down as President of Cuba. His power will be handed over to his brother, Raul. Guests in our first hour talk about how Cubans have reacted to the announcement and what's next for Cuba after Castro. Following that, we'll find out what's next for Steven Erlanger. Erlanger is leaving his post as Jerusalem Bureau Chief for The New York Times in a few weeks.

Over the weekend, street racing made headlines when eight spectators were killed on a stretch of highway in Maryland. Sheila Howard is a paramedic and was one of the first on the scene of the crash. She will join us in our second hour. We will also discuss the history of street racing and talk with a former racer who is now part of an organization that is working to evolve street racing into motorsports racing. Later in that hour, we'll read from your emails and blog comments. Then we will be joined by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik about the stories her readers share of eavesdropping: overheard quotes about love, sex and relationships.

Gwen Outen

12:18 PM ET | 02-19-2008 | permalink | e-mail post