Freedom and Perceptions that Cross Borders

I am going to act like this is The New Yorker magazine and offer a "combined" blog posting. We will be on the air tomorrow, as per usual, but we are going to disappear for the holiday shortly thereafter.

Our New York team was en route (at least I was) from New York City yesterday when we realized that some of the longest held the hostages in Colombia -- including three Americans, and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt -- had been freed. I saw a breaking news bulletin on my BlackBerry. Thankfully, our folks here in D.C. were already on the case.

Will you allow me to brag a bit about how one of our staffers, Jasmine Garsd (a native Spanish speaker, from Argentina), jumped in to assist the network's coverage? I heard about this through the grapevine. Apparently, some people were chatting a bit too loudly right near her desk at TMM and she says:

Guys, do you think you could keep it down. I'm talking to the Ambassador.

Take a bow Jaz!

But then, of course, we had to decide what our take on this story would be. We decided we needed to answer some of the key questions folks might have -- being reminded that some folks use our program as their morning news show -- but then we decided to also answer a question we were already thinking about...

By coincidence Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain was in Colombia at the time of the rescue. We wondered, why exactly is he there? To call attention to his differences with rival Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama on trade, obviously.

But how do you decide exactly where to travel when you are campaigning for president?

What's the message? ... The audience?

To talk about that we had Stephen Hess, of the Brookings Institution, who has spent decades thinking about how presidential campaigns are run and how presidents operate. Hess was joined by Jesus Esquivel, of Mexico's Proceso magazine.

John McCain spent the second part of his three-day Latin America tour in Mexico. And Barack Obama announced plans to travel there later this fall. Today, of course, Obama talked about his plans to go to Iraq at some point.

So having said all that, what about when even Hollywood decides to "go" overseas? Our film critic Shawn Edwards does not like too much of what he sees when that happens.

And then, I hope a treat, what happens when technomeets norteno music? The answer: Nortec. It's a group out of Tijuana, Mexico and, well, you just have to listen.

After interviewing Nortec, which I interviewed weeks ago, I worried that I had not pressed hard enough on the issue of the violence along the border, especially that which is associated with the drug trade. Just a day or so after the Nortec interview, there was a story about how the doctors were going on strike to protest the lack of security at the hospital and for them personally. Oddly enough, one of the musicians involved with Nortec is also a doctor.

But then I was reminded of something that award-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda said (he spoke with us earlier this week) in response to critics of his musical In the Heights, about the Washington Heights neighborhood in New York. Miranda points out how some critics find it hard to imagine that there could be two days in which nobody gets shot or stabbed.

Mexico has a proud artistic tradition, in both the so-called fine and folk arts. Could we have one conversation about Mexico were we don't talk about the drug trade?

Still, did I do the right thing by not pressing the issue?

Happy Fourth. Hope you enjoy visiting with Jimmy Smits, as part of our July 4th program, as much as I did.

-- Michel Martin

Tags: Barack Obama | Ingrid Betancourt | Jesus Esquivel | Jimmy Smits | John McCain | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nortec | Shawn Fox | Stephen Hess

6:38 PM ET | 07- 3-2008 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

 

Today's a Good Day

Lee, here.

Today wrapped up another special marker in the life of this program -- three days of broadcasting from the Big Apple to mark our launch on NPR member station WNYC in New York.

But the day is also significant for a number of other reasons. For one, trailblazing civil rights activist and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall would be 100 today, if he were still with us. So many folks owe more than a nod to his passionate fight to keep the nation honest about its proclaimed tenets of equality and justice.

Finally, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. We remembered the legacy of another towering trailblazer, Alvin Ailey, and the legendary dancer and choreographer who continues to carry her mentor's fiery torch of artistic expression. In addition to our on-air conversation today with Judith Jamison, see an audio slideshow of a behind-the-scenes look at Ailey's vision at work.

-- Lee Hill

4:01 PM ET | 07- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

 

From NYC: A Morning with 'The Elders'

Michel, here.

Thanks to Marie for writing the blog yesterday.

(HA! Actually, I am not that grateful because, to be honest with you, she owes me since she tried to kill me yesterday. I don't want to, you know, tell all, but I had SIX interviews yesterday. I thought my head might explode off my neck. And, of course, she tells me it's for my own good. Meh!)

I'm going to have to hand off again after a remarkable morning, in which I spoke with both Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, about their work as part of The Elders to call attention to the situation in Zimbabwe. I am off to meet Judith Jamison of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for an interview for tomorrow's program. And then it's off to Yankee Stadium, which is about to be torn down.

What an amazing day.

-- Michel Martin

Tags: Desmond Tutu | Judith Jamison | Mary Robinson | Robert Mugabe

1:05 PM ET | 07- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

 

An Adventurous Start in NYC

There's a stranger in the house. It's Marie Nelson, here, also known as the Wizard of TMM. I typically like to stay behind the scenes, but today I am responding to our web producer's desperate plea for an "on the road" blog entry.

We are broadcasting this week from the Big Apple in honor of TMM's launch on WNYC, the NPR member station in New York. We arrived in the city over the weekend, just in time for the gay pride parade and a series of flash rain storms. Let me tell you, this is a producer's worst nightmare. Our car couldn't make its way through the parade route to pick us up and as we waited outside the skies opened up, sending us running for cover into a friendly retail establishment. Quite frankly, I would have loved the opportunity for an authentic New York shop op but was shamed into action by TMM producer Monika Evstatieva, who braved the storm to track down our car.

We suffered through the deadly combination of wet sticky clothing and overly efficient air conditioning as we slowly made our way to Brooklyn for our first field taping.

Did I mention the driver with an off sense of direction, who ended every other sentence with "thanks be to God"?

And then our fortunes changed. Michel's visit to her old neighborhood in East New York was truly special. It was both a homecoming and a reunion with her childhood friend Leslie Groves. A driveway moment if I say so myself, and I do.

We followed up the trip to the BK (that's Brooklyn if you're in the know ... lol) with a stop back in Manhattan to talk with Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the Broadway hit musical In the Heights. Miranda, who had just returned from a matinee performance, greeted us at the door in his crew socks, and played video games while we set up for the interview. He's a great talent who seems unaffected by his success. He was kind enough to show us the presentation envelope he got for his recent Tony win (he's still waiting for the real deal to arrive from the engravers). It's another great conversation if for no other reason than it's awesome to hear someone who talks as fast as Michel.

Finally, we took a quick trip to the balmy New York bureau (that's code for no air conditioning) to file tape, edit scripts, put out calls for Desmond Tutu (we want to talk to him about the situation in Zimbabwe), write a commentary ... and so on. Life on the road is certainly not glamorous -- it is often fraught with peril -- but it just goes to show how much we love what we do.

Besides, you know what they say. If I can make it there; I'll make it anywhere.

-- Marie Nelson

-- Michel Martin

3:58 PM ET | 06-30-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

 

Headed to NYC

Let me get on up out of here. I'm headed to MY HOMETOWN, Nueva York -- the Apple, the Empire State.

We'll be there for three days of broadcasts next week. We are delighted that we will now be part of the WNYC radio family as of Monday.

Boo-ya.

Check us out from New York in the first part of the week, then back in D.C. for the rest of the week.

Now, the week in politics ...

Today, we decided to talk about the SPOUSES of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. This year they both happen to be wives (who are we kidding? ... they always have been). It's become an axiom that we want to know who these guys are married to.

How much do we need to know?

Let's debate this. On the one hand, we know the spouses are key players. Most married people influence each other, how could they not? So, we should know something about them, shouldn't we? On the other hand, the wife is not on the ballot, so shouldn't there be some zone of privacy?

And, on the one hand, they are significant cultural figures. Why shouldn't we take them as seriously as we do singers and actors, rappers and athletes? But, on the other hand, can't we leave them alone? ... Since life is hard enough?

What do you say? How much so you want to know and has what you knew about the spouse of a previous candidate ever affected your vote?

Second, Faith Matters. We wanted to focus on Dr. James Dobson. What do you think his bone to pick with Obama is about? Is it doctrine or politics? And, who do You think is right?

Read a copy of Obama's speech. Then, hear what Dr. Dobson has to say about it.

And, of course, the Barbershop guys. What do you think about Don Imus's recent comments about suspended NFL cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones? Was he taken out of context? Do you care?

And, Shaq versus Kobe? Is it part of the game or enough already?
(I think you know where I come out on this, but I am still interested.)

Have a great weekend. When we talk next I'll be in the Apple. My hometown.

-- Michel Martin

Tags: Adam "Pacman" Jones | Barack Obama | Don Imus | James Dobson | John McCain | Kobe Bryant | Shaquille O'Neal

3:02 PM ET | 06-27-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

 

I Was Trying to Reorganize ...

Recently, some of you sent me some e-mail feedback. One e-mail was from a physician who was responding to the piece we did on long emergency room waits and how they affect mentally ill patients. He had some additional insights about why this problem exists and persists.

I also received a note from a listener explaining why he thinks Sen. Barack Obama should do more to embrace progressive politics, not move to the middle.

Both of the people who sent me these notes gave us permission to post their thoughts here on the blog. BUT, I have had a meltdown in my e-mail this week. Not some big virus ... I was trying to reorganize my inbox but SOMEHOW or another hundreds of e-mails got misdirected, and then deleted. So, that's a long way of saying I MESSED UP, and cannot find these e-mails.

I am desperately hoping those of you who sent them to me also read our blog and will either RESEND the e-mails to me, or post them to our blog by using the field below..

Sorry!

-- Michel Martin

7:45 AM ET | 06-27-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

 

When the Focus Shifts to Our Back Yard

Lee, here.

So, maybe 15 minutes after we finished producing this morning's program, news comes that the U.S. Supreme Court decided to rock the boat mightily here in Washington, D.C., with regard to a three-decade old gun ban. Of course, by now, we've learned how to scramble. Through a bit of quick hustling, we were able to stay on top of the news and offer an updated conversation to reflect the development.

The justices say the District's ban is unconstitutional, that the rule has overstayed its welcome in the city. There are a lot of emotions out there about this one. And they're sort of all over the place.

I don't know how long you've been following us, but if you were with us during our early podcast pilot days (kudos if you were), then you might remember hearing the story of two D.C. moms -- they shared two similar experiences, but two very different perspectives. Shanda Smith and Valencia Mohammed both lost children to gun violence. One was dedicated to keeping a ban on handguns in the city. The other, however, was against the restrictions. And they were both rooted in their stance. The conversation still lives on our blog, so take a listen. I'm sure you'll find it interesting.

There's a common feeling that retracting the ban would theoretically open the floodgates to gun violence in the city. As of today, the city is just one murder shy of where it was last year (85 to 86 homicides, respectively, although it's unclear how many of those murders can be traced to gun violence). For that very reason, others say it's about time they're allowed to protect themselves. Regardless, it'll be interesting to see how people react to the being told they can now do something they've been told for so long was unlawful.

I should point out that today's high court decision still allows the city some say as to who can now own a handgun (mental illness or a felony conviction are likely disqualifiers).

We'll see.

Also, make sure you're with us next week. Michel's packing her bags, and we're taking the show on the road (let's just hope we can persuade her to come back!). More to come ...

-- Lee Hill

Tags: DC Gun Ban | U.S. Supreme Court

3:13 PM ET | 06-26-2008 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

 

Wisdom from Dr. Carson

If you always learn, then you're always making progress.

Lee, here.

Above is a quote from renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson. He was on today's program to talk about many things -- his modest upbringing, his faith and the risks of medicine. But, notably, we wanted to talk to the author about his recent honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Also, the debate over Michelle Obama. Is she being covered fairly by the press? She's been called "unpatriotic" and "angry" by some, but to an entirely different group she's "classy", "supportive" and just ... "strong."

We're also interested in knowing how your perceptions of Mrs. Obama differ from that of, say, Cindy McCain.

Or, will the personality of candidate's spouse be of any significance to you at all when choosing a president in November?

-- Lee Hill

Tags: Benjamin Carson | Cindy McCain | Michelle Obama

5:05 PM ET | 06-25-2008 | permalink | comments (8) | e-mail post

 

Zimbabwe's Political Crisis: What Now?

Today, more of our continuing coverage of the crisis in Zimbabwe with Ambassador Jendayi Frazer, the U.S.'s top envoy in Africa. She is on her way to the Africa Union summit in Egypt.

What role do you think the U.S. can constructively play in a crisis like this? You cannot look at pictures of children -- yes children -- and women being herded onto police trucks for the crime of seeking sanctuary at an opposition meetinghouse and NOT be moved to anger or frustration.

But then what?

What should the U.S. do?

Do you think the lack of democratic process in Zimbabwe should be a concern of the U.S.? ... Of the UN?

Remember the conversation we had about Myanmar and the debate over whether the misgovernance in the regime's refusal to permit outside aid was so egregious as to require outside intervention? What is the standard?

And, the so-called teen pregnancy pact in Gloucester, Mass. ...

Seventeen girls at Gloucester High School are pregnant -- more than four times the number in the previous school year in the school of 1,200 students.

The principal of the school says he discovered that at least some of the girls decided it would be great to all get pregnant together; now one teen has come forward to say there was no pact, but the reporter says she heard what she heard. And the principal isn't talking anymore.

But the question remains: why are 17 girls, none older than 16, all pregnant in a world in which a pack of condoms costs, what, a few dollars? And can often be had for free.

What's up with that? Does anybody buy the Zoey 101 theory? Celebs make it look easy.

And, finally, the what NOT to say series we are running with DiversityInc Magazine. This month's segment: what not to say to LGBT co-workers. DiversityInc has this hilarious (to me) column on the most offensive compliments. (I can't even bring myself to pick a favorite -- "You don't look gay" or "You speak so well. No one would even know you're black" are up there though)

And no, we're not trying to be grievance merchants, but I would like to know what's the most offensive thing ever said to you in the guise of a compliment?

No matter what your demographic.

-- Michel Martin

Tags: Jendayi Frazer | Zimbabwe

3:21 PM ET | 06-24-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

 

Reality Will Provide

A colleague of mine who loves the news business more than anybody I know (a business which has not always loved him back, by the way -- but that's another story) used to say the same thing whenever we were fretting about having a slow news day or week, worrying that we'd have nothing to keep people interested.

"Reality will provide," he'd say.

The phrase popped into my head because, as we left on Friday, we were debating exactly what we should focus on for today's program. At that point, there were so many things percolating:

1.) U.S. mayors were meeting at a conference in Miami. So many of the issues they were talking about are things we talk about every day -- like crime, the foreclosure crisis, poverty and the environment. Sen. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton talked with the group of city leaders over the weekend.

Would anybody want to hear more, we asked?

2.) Floodwaters in the Midwest are receding. Do we need to check in on recovery efforts?

If you don't live there, do you care?

3.) And, we normally check in on Mondays with The Washington Post Magazine. We had our eyes on a riveting story about those who literally keep watch in the interagency watch center that evaluates possible security threats on air travel, clearly a matter of urgency in the wake of Sept. 11.

Could we get the reporter on the line? In the studio?

... And then a bombshell. In Zimbabwe, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change -- whose party mounted the most serious challenge to Robert Mugabe in his 28 years of presidential rule -- announces on SUNDAY that he is withdrawing from the race. As of right now, NPR's Morning Edition is trying to reach him for an interview. They are first show up, as we say (heard earlier in the day than other NPR programs), but we're next.

Clearly a story to which we have devoted much time and energy is a priority.

Who can we get? Who is on the ground? Who knows what's going on?

We were very fortunate to reach reporter Jeffrey Barbee, who is reporting on the ground in Zimbabwe. We also heard from Open Society Institute analyst Akwe Amosu for more analysis.

Still, we did want to hear more about the mayors' meeting in Miami. Michael Nutter of Philadelphia was our guest.

And we also reported on a study (pdf) about the problem of long emergency room waits and how they affect patients needing mental health services.

Finally, Say You're One of Them. It's a book of short stories from a fresh and unexpected new African voice, Uwem Akpan. We hope to bring you a number of conversations about new fiction from Africa over the course of the summer. But here's a start.

Uwem Akpan's exhilarating, heartbreaking collection. The stories so moved singer Angelique Kidjo that she composed a song about it. Agbalagba closes the show.

We did not have time for Laura Blumenfeld's fascinating piece about the Homeland Security watch group. So here it is.

Does it change the way you think about having to take off your shoes at the airport?

-- Michel Martin

Tags: Akwe Amosu | Angelique Kidjo | Barack Obama | Bill Clinton | Jeffrey Barbee | Laura Blumenfeld | Michael Nutter | Morgan Tsvangirai | Robert Mugabe | Uwem Akpan

2:23 PM ET | 06-23-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post