Unpacking the Political Hate
So, a lot of news broke since we were on the air yesterday, and it's hard to fit it all in...
Here's what we're working on:
Clearly, the story of ANOTHER shooting at ANOTHER institution of higher learning is traumatic and terrible to think about. A team of NPR reporters is on the scene and will update the entire organization as the story develops. Now our task is to figure out what conversations we can have on THIS program that will add value to our understanding of events. So if you were wondering why we did not have any additional coverage on the broadcast of the NIU shootings today, that's why. We are going to continue to work at it and give it thought. In the meantime -- and unfortunately we find ourselves saying this too often -- our hearts go out to the families of the murdered students and to the survivors.
We are also following events in Pakistan. Elections there are Monday after having been delayed because of the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The issue: results won't be available until we are off the air Monday, so this may wait until Tuesday, or even later in the week. Again, the question we ask ourselves is, what can we tell you? Or what new voices can we bring you?
Other things in the mix...
Latest developments in politics: It seems that some Clinton supporters are moving to Obama. We happen to know that there are other unusual developments in this race -- folks crossing party lines, for example. We have an interesting story we're working on for next week along those lines, but the bookings aren't solid yet so when they are, we'll bring it to you.
In the meantime we just had to talk about the Hillary Haters -- who are they and what's up with them? And the John McCain haters ... the better-known conservative commentariat is almost unanimously united on this point. But what's behind it? We had a fascinating panel to talk about this.
And we like to leave you with a smile, if we can. That's why we brought perky Paige Davis on to talk to you about her second go round with Trading Spaces.
And of course, the Barbershop.
We will be thinking about the students at NIU and their families ... let's take a moment to pause and think about everyone who has suffered a loss from violence.
In the meantime, it's also important for everyone to rest, recover and rejuvenate, so we truly hope you have a good weekend.
4:08 PM ET | 02-15-2008 | permalink
