NPR: Speaking of Dilemmas...

Speaking of Dilemmas...

Weird cocktail today, but we hope it worked.

We talked about holiday dilemmas ... Plus, news about why the death penalty was abolished in New Jersey. Whatever you think about the subject, I think you will find yourself riveted by State Sen. Ray Lesniak's account of why he pushed his state to repeal the death penalty. It was, he said, a matter of personal conviction, driven by a spiritual awakening.

How often does that happen? How often does a public figure say that?

It leads to all kinds of interesting questions, not all of which we could get to, not least of which is why Lesniak's personal convictions should drive public policy. But remember, this is an act of the legislature, signed by the governor yesterday.

We hope Lesniak will post something for the blog later, along with another lawmaker who strongly opposes repealing the death penalty. Until then, some numbers from the Quinnipiac University poll... They polled New Jersey residents extensively on the question. We had their assistant polling director on to help us sort out the findings.

And, holiday dilemmas. This was one of my all-time favorite shows. We had not quite wine women and song, but we did have wine diva Callie Crossley to help us get the lowdown on sparkling wine. And, we had etiquette guru Harriette Cole on to tell us how to conduct ourselves at holiday parties!

Enjoy!

(But don't make me read about you in the paper. Or rather, if I do read about you, be sure it's the Style section of the newspaper, not the crime page. ...And you know what? This time of year, you might want to stay out of the Style section, too. They're looking for bad behavior, and we don't want that.)

Michel Martin

4:06 PM ET | 12-18-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I heard your show for the first time this evening. I think I fit the demographic (40 something college educated professional black female).
I hope that you'd devote more time in the future to dealing with cultural insensitivity during the "dreaded office party." I hope the show will offer some strategies on how to respond to it appropriately without jeopardizing one's success in the organization.
I heard your segment on Kwanzaa vs Christmas controversy for Blacks i.e. Mocha Moms. I found it largely one-sided. Can I expect to hear factual discussion by the founder of Kwanzaa, Mauluana Karenga, during this holiday season?
Thanks,
Dunia
Maryland

Sent by Dunia Jackson | 7:44 PM ET | 12-18-2007

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