Kenya Coverage and Green Careers
I am doing something kind of crazy today ... when I finish this program I am going to jump in the car and drive up to Baltimore to do another show -- Talk of the Nation. It's NPR's national call-in program hosted by my friend and colleague Neal Conan. Not that you're stalking my every move, but if you remember when I came to NPR before my show went on the air, I guest hosted quite a bit at TOTN, so it's kind of like going home again (actually like going back to my old bedroom, because they are literally downstairs from us and we are back and forth and in each other's business all the time). This is not heavy lifting though, because I am the guest. MUCH easier than hosting I must say. DON'T HAVE TO WATCH THE CLOCK! YAY!
The hardest part is the drive. (Why can't anybody around here drive a stick?, I ask you...) Like most Americans, while I am fond of my car, I do not love to drive. Maybe it's having been raised in New York, I don't know. Cars are not necessary for most people there: they are expensive and kind of a pain to maintain because space is so tight. A lot of New Yorkers never learn to drive or learn when they're like, 36. I have no problem riding shotgun let me tell you. But that is not to be today.
Speaking of being from New York ... New York, in my opinion, is a great place to have grown up and great preparation for the work I do know. Maybe it's the reason I do the work I do now. Why do I say that? Because it's an international city, and that is the direction the rest of the world is going in. I know that some believe Americans are isolationist and do not want to participate in the affairs of the world; indeed there has always been an important constituency in the US for minding our own business and keeping our nose out of other people's business. But the two World Wars did a great deal to change that. It was no longer seen as even possible to mind out own business. Engagement is still matter of much debate -- and will continue to be -- but it's not possible to ignore the mix of cultures and languages and nationalities that influence this country.
Our program today is a reflection of what, in my view, is a fact. We begin in Kenya with an update on the terrible crisis that has gripped the country since the disputed election in December. We visit with two experts who are paying close attention to events there and we ask, what should the US do?
We take a break from the world scene to ask about green careers. If you don't know what those are, don't feel bad because I didn't either, which is why I wanted to do the segment.
And then we end with a visit with Dengue Fever. If you've traveled, you know it is a NASTY virus. But, it is also the name of a hot new band ... charming, charming people and some hot tunes. Let us know what you think.
And I'm off to Baltimore...
5:17 PM ET | 01-31-2008 | permalink
