NPR: International Switcheroo

International Switcheroo

Normally, we like to focus on international news on Thursdays, but yesterday we shifted the top of the program's focus to the fallout from New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's alleged involvement in a prostitution ring.

Since Spitzer resigned on Wednesday, two days after the big story broke, we really felt we had to go there. We had on two big names from New York -- former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and the State Sen. Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, a Democrat -- to tell us about Spitzer's successor former Lt. Gov. David Paterson. He is, as you of course know by now, not only the first African American governor of the state, but also only the third African American governor in the U.S. since Reconstruction. Paterson is also legally blind, and part of one of New York's most prominent African American political families. He, apparently, has a wicked sense of humor, and unlike Spitzer, he's extremely well liked by his now former colleagues in the legislature. It's no small feat in the ongoing going barroom brawl that is state politics in New York.

Which of Paterson's attributes will help him? ... Which will hurt him?

Which will most shape the next three years?

Can't wait to see. It's a fascinating story.

Anyway, that's why today, instead of doing our regular Friday political chat, we brought you the conversation we originally planned for yesterday -- about the diplomatic crisis sparked by a cross border incursion by Columbia into Ecuador. Columbian forces located a FARC encampment (FARC being the anti-government rebels who've tried to topple a generation of Columbian governments ... the U.S. considers FARC a terrorist group).

So excited to have Juan Forero back with us. He covers the Andes for NPR and we haven't had him on our air since our podcast days (Remember when? Sniff!). And, a new voice for us Cynthia Arnson of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Thanks.

We were also excited about having two leading voices in evangelicalism to talk about faith and politics. It was a provocative conversation from the authors of two new books -- Personal Faith, Public Policy and The Great Awakening -- that aim to revisit the role evangelicals should play in politics

And the Barbershop guys, what can I say?

As for me, I am still rebelling against the fashionistas! As much as I loved Agnes Cammock of Essence and Najwa Moses of Styleaholics (from yesterday's spring fashion conversation), I woke up this morning with the adolescent need to rebel against their STRONG admonition against capris and the color peach.

In their honor, I am wearing both capris AND peach today (I am cold, but I think I am cute).

Fight the power!

Have a great weekend.

Michel Martin

4:58 PM ET | 03-14-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Hey Michel,

I love the barbershop guys! They are great and I appreciate their perspective. But, I wanted to comment on the Faith Matters segment, it was a wonderful discussion and I'm glad that the 'evangelicals' are finally talking about faith and making decisions that affect lives. I especially appreciate you questioning about if Christians are misunderstood or if we have really been living what we believe. I'm a Christian and a journalist and I must disagree with your guest that the media have engaged in 'selective' reporting. I think it is easy to blame media when you don't like what is being said about you, but I don't think the question is are Christians being misunderstood or are they really living true, I believe the question is why haven't Christians done a better job of getting their message out to the public-exactly what we are supposed to do. I think the evangelical community hasn't done a good job or articulating their position on political issues because we have misconstrued certain tenets of the faith. I believe if we want the media to cover issues from our perspective so we can be apart of the discussion (this is mainstream media) then we have to do better at reaching out to mainstream media and engaging them in conversation. Today's discussion was a wonderful example of that kind of reaching out. Thanks Michel for this show!

Sent by Tanya Radford | 9:17 PM ET | 03-16-2008

Nick Charles, is he the originally out of Montreal Canada? Dark Hair and nice complexion (cnn)? He might be a distant cousin of mine on my mothers side I enjoy the npr radio station and listen daily. It was interesting to hear his name.

Sent by Suzanne Landvoy | 9:18 PM ET | 03-16-2008

[The] DISCUSSION WAS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER HEARD ABOUT FAITH VS. POLITICS!! THANK YOU. I AM GOING TO LISTEN AGAIN AND SEND IT TO MY DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW WHO ARE BOTH MINISTERS. I AGREE WITH YOUR GUEST-YOU ARE THE BEST! YOUR TOPICS ARE BROAD AND YOU AIR BOTH SIDES (EXCEPT WITH THE BARBER SHOP GUYS) OF ISSUES WHICH FEW PROGRAMS DO.

Sent by Alma B. | 9:20 PM ET | 03-16-2008

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

E-mail Updates from the Tell Me More Blog

Share Your Story

What would it take to get your vote? Share text, audio or video.

'Tell Me More' with Michel Martin

"Nothing is assumed." That's the unofficial motto of Tell Me More, the new Monday-Friday talk show with host Michel Martin. Grounded in lively interviewing and compelling storytelling, the program seeks to present diverse new voices, cross borders, challenge conventional wisdom and discover how other people think.