An Adventurous Start in NYC

TMM producer Monika Evstatieva (left) records as Michel Martin (middle) interviews her childhood friend Leslie Groves (right) on Berriman St. in Brooklyn, NY.

Aaron Showalter

Michel Martin looks on as Tony Award-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda plays a video game at his Upper West Side apartment in New York.

Jennifer Longmire, NPR

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 (4) | 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

3:02 PM ET | 06-27-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | 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 (4) | 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

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

Wisdom from Dr. Carson

Dr. Benjamin Carson receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush on June 19, 2008.

Getty Images

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

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

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

2:23 PM ET | 06-23-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

300!

Cellach

Another milestone for TMM! Today, we celebrate 300 broadcasts. And we WILL stop counting at some point, I am sure of that. But, for now, every show counts. It's like when you're a little kid and someone asks you how old you are, and you say Four and a HALF, and that half really means something to you. Not like when you're, say, 49. You're not going for any additional percentages there, are you?

Not that I'd know.

Thanks to Cheryl Corley for filling in while I took some needed R&R with family and took care of some stuff around the house. Not enough stuff, but some stuff -- painting the kids' room, that kind of thing.

Some day, hopefully, I'll come back from being away and I'll report that I had tea with Oprah and Nelson Mandela or something like that, but right now -- I won't lie -- I can just say it was great taking the kids to the pool, and going out to dinner without looking at my watch because I have to get up at dawn ... and arguing with the electrician over whether I really need a new light over the table (asking him why can't he just fix the old one?). Those things actually float my boat (which might be pathetic, I don't know).

... Although I wouldn't mind that tea with Madiba either.

I hope you enjoyed today's program as much as I did. Sometimes you feel like you're doing the news and sometimes you feel like you're calling up a bunch of people you know and just checking in on them. That's how today's show felt to me -- just checking on people ... like Armstrong Williams on his Obama dilemma as a black conservative, what will he do?; like the Rev. Ed Young on how he's doing out in Cedar Rapids after the floods; like the Barbershop guys on what else?

We did one newsy interview with Sarah Posner on her new book God's Profits and her examination of (some say she exposes) the Word of Faith movement, also known by some as the so-called Prosperity gospel. Here's my question:

If you are of another faith, or no faith, do you have a right to critique another group's worship style and political involvements? What if they they want to give their pastor a private plane? Is it your/our business? And why, or why not?

Some say these congregations are abusing their tax exempt status. Others say these are cultural disputes. Where should the line be drawn and how should it be drawn?

Have a good weekend. We're considering a number of leads for Monday -- politics, more on the floods, and new fiction from Africa. All under consideration. We hope you'll join us.

Michel Martin

2:14 PM ET | 06-20-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

People on a Mission

Hi, Cheryl Corley joining you here. Michel Martin will be back tomorrow.

Sometimes it's easy to take our legal system for granted or to find its flaws, but the framework of "presumption of innocence," or having attorneys argue before an open court, is often a model for other countries. Mexico is the latest example. Over the next few years, it will overhaul its ENTIRE judicial system. President Felipe Calderon says the reforms will be a cornerstone of his government's war against organized crime. Mexico City law professor, John Mill Rose Ackerman, joined us to talk about what's in store.

In about a week, we'll know whether the escalating violence in Zimbabwe will hamper the presidential run-off between longtime leader Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. NPR's Ofeiba Quist Arcton says the election may really be in jeopardy.

But there was some hopeful news about Africa on today's show when a couple of youth ambassadors joined us to talk about their plans to travel to the continent.

Let us know how you give, Do you travel abroad to help people in other countries, or contribute to your church, synagogue, mosque?

Giving, of course, is one of the core missions of CARE, the humanitarian organization that fights global poverty. A year ago we talked to Care's president, Dr. Helene Gayle, and Sheila Johnson, owner of WNBA team the Washington Mystics. Johnson, also co-founder of BET, is a major backer of CARE's "I Am Powerful" campaign. Today, they joined us to give us a one-year update. And we also got a chance to learn a bit more about Johnson's documentary, "A Powerful Noise." Take a look at the trailer. The film documents the lives and struggles and victories of some of the women they've met in their travels around the world.

Plus, a conversation today with film director Sarah Gavron and actress Tannishtha Jatterjee. They take listeners inside about their beautiful film, Brick Lane, which is about the life of a Bangladeshi immigrant living in London.

There's, of course, much more to talk about. Michel will be back tomorrow to lead that conversation.

It was great hanging out with you.

-- Cheryl Corley

Michel Martin

3:35 PM ET | 06-19-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Rediscovering History

Lee Hill, NPR

Hi everyone, Cheryl Corley, here. Still keeping the chair warm for Michel Martin.

I typically work in Chicago. But while I'm here filling in for Michel, I decided over the weekend to become a tourist and went on a walking tour of the U Street area in Washington. I came across a fascinating find -- the African-American Civil War Museum and the African-American Civil War Memorial, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary next month.

At the memorial, there's a statue of colored troops surrounded by walls bearing the names of the more than 209,000 soldiers of African descent that served in the Civil War. The Assistant Director of the Museum, Hari Jones, told all of us on the tour so many rich nuggets of information. Tell Me More had to have him on the show, especially since Juneteenth was so near.

Of course, Juneteenth is traditionally known as the day slaves in Texas found out about the Emancipation Proclamation. Jones says there's much more to the story, so take a listen. I'm sure you'll learn something you didn't know.

Then, take a look at our audio slideshow. Tell Me More webmaster Lee Hill took some beautiful photos of the memorial and the museum.

Of course, African-Americans have participated in every major U.S. war. The recent flap between film directors Spike Lee and Clint Eastwood over Eastwood's World War II films sparked some controversy, though, when Lee criticized Eastwood for not including blacks in his films Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima. Lee is making his own film, Miracle at St. Anna, about an African-American military unit.

But we decided to go straight to the source. Former Marine Sergeant Thomas McPhatter has his own riveting story to tell of his days in the military when he found himself heading toward the beach on Iwo Jima in February of 1945.

War horrors often cause problems for veterans returning home. Our Wisdom Watch guest, Judge Robert Russell, told us about the court system he's set up to deal solely with veterans.

All that on the show today. Plus, a feisty argument over an effort to stave off some of the ever rising foreclosures in the country.

Talk to you tomorrow,

-- Cheryl Corley

Michel Martin

6:00 PM ET | 06-18-2008 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

Today's Q&A

Hi all. It's Cheryl Corley, sitting in Michel while she takes some time off.

If you ever thought you needed some advice, today's show was the place to turn! We had a veritable Tell Me More question and answer session.

For example:

How are gay couples who are black, Latino or Asian reacting to the new gay marriage rights in California?
We got some answers from Bishop Yvette Flunder of the City of Refuge Church in San Francisco and Monica Trasandes of GLAAD.

Just who is getting married?
One of the couples who helped overturn California's ban on same-sex marriages by filing a lawsuit talked to us before heading off to exchange their vows.

What to do if you're trying to sleep on an airplane and the guy behind you doesn't want you to recline your chair?
A little advice from the O, The Oprah Magazine Ethics column.

Should kids get a summer job or go to camp during the summer?
The Mocha Moms weigh in.

What should you do to get ready for retirement?
Alvin Hall, our money coach, covers the basics.

How to get advice for every crucial moment in life?
Listen to Tell Me More, of course!

-- Cheryl Corley

Michel Martin

2:37 PM ET | 06-17-2008 | permalink | comments (23) | e-mail post

Telling You More

Hi all. It's Cheryl Corley, sitting in Michel while she takes some time off.

I'm always amazed about the amount of information that gets disseminated everyday and the stories that we don't hear much about.

Two conversations today fit the "don't hear much about" category, and that's why Tell Me More wanted to make sure we had these folks on the air, and more about their work on our Web site.

First, Elouise Cobell, a leader of the Blackfoot Indian tribe in Montana brought us up to date on the lawsuit she filed more than a decade ago. Cobell claims the federal government mismanaged the land leases of more than a half million Indians across the country. She estimates that the government owes Native Americans at least 58 billion dollars. The case is at a critical juncture now in federal court in Washington with a federal judge to soon decide the liability of the U.S.

Second, Fergus Bordewich, the author of Washington: the Making of the American Capital told us all about the wheeling and dealing that went behind the building of Washington, D.C. It's not exactly a secret that slaves actually built the city. But Bordewich unveils the intricacies behind the effort to knock Philadelphia out of the race to become the permanent home of the nation's capitol, while the country's founding fathers worked to protect the institution of slavery.

Also on the show today, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan joined us to talk about his effort to get western countries to stay true to their promise to turn over billions of dollars they've earmarked for aid to Africa. These days, Annan is the chairman of the African Progress Panel and the organization released its first report today.

And, we learned about a photo display called Access to Life profiles the daily life of AIDS victims in Africa and other places around the world. It's a before-and-after photo exhibit -- a display of the hope that comes with the use of antiretroviral drugs.

Finally, what a way to round off a Monday. Check out a bit of the velvet voice of singer Lizz Wright. She talks about the music that get's her going.

That's all for now. Talk to you tomorrow.

-- Cheryl Corley

Michel Martin

1:19 PM ET | 06-16-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

A Fair Trial?

Hi all. It's Cheryl Corley, sitting in Michel while she takes some time off.

After we went off the air, we learned that Tim Russert, the host of NBC's Sunday Talk Show "Meet the Press" had died of a heart attack while at work. It was a shock wave for our industry. Russert was a journalist who loved his job and what we do - reporting, investigating and talking to people. He was one of the country's best known political reporters on television and we join the rest of our industry in honoring his life and his commitment .

Today's show was a mix of politics, religion, and court rulings. For example, if you think everyone has a right to a legal hearing if they get arrested, it seems the Supreme Court agrees! Today, we talked about the court's 5-4 ruling giving detainees at Guantanamo Bay a right to challenge their detentions. Our two guests, Cully Stimson with the Heritage Foundation and Shane Kadidal at the Center for Constitutional Rights have decidedly different views on Guantanamo but they agree we're not likely to have a more pragmatic detention policy until there's a new administration.

How best to mix politics and religion, if poverty is the subject? That was the question for our three guests, Iman Malik Mujahid, Alexia Kelley and Reverend Kip Banks. They joined us to talk about the discussions being held between religious leaders and a congressional caucus over the country's priorities. They say religious leaders have a moral responsibility to make sure issues like poverty stay in the forefront of the political arena.

And it's Friday, so the Barbershop Guys had a lot to say about Barack Obama's "fight the smears" website, the big Spike Lee/Clint Eastwood argument over World War II movies, plus the squabble between our own Barbershop guy Ruben Navarrette and CNN's Lou Dobbs. Check it out.

And of course we heard from you, which we always love.

Have a great weekend. We'll talk more Monday.

Cheryl

Douglas Hopper

4:11 PM ET | 06-13-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Five Things You Should Know

1. What do you think ... should a court overturn a marriage because the groom finds out his wife isn't a virgin? A French Court said yes. Not the answer many wanted to hear.

2. Is the international community doing enough to combat HIV and AIDS around the world? One of Brazil's top health officials shares her thoughts.

3. Did you know there's a deep social stigma about Albinism in Tanzania? Now one woman may be able to give them a voice and change public opinion.

4. What about a stall at the local farmer's market where locals can "Meet a Black Guy"? They tried it in Corvallis, Oregon.

5. And ... know how to order a glass of rum at the bar? Scott Clime does and he'll teach you how.

All this, in today's show.

Get in the mix. Let us know what you think.

Douglas Hopper

5:26 PM ET | 06-12-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Where's My Tomato?

I am going to put my invisible suit on for a few days. The lovely and talented Cheryl Corley will be here. Be nice to her. Happy Father's Day to all the dads.

See you next week!

Hi all ... its Douglas. Cheryl will step in to the blogosphere tomorrow. Until then, some thoughts about ... tomatoes.

Earlier this week I stopped into Phillips Deli, just down the street. Like most days, I'd waited too long to eat. I was ravenous. So I ordered a sandwich and asked for everything. Lettuce, sprouts, pickles, you name it ... a mountain of vegetables ... including 2 big slices of tomato. I came back to my desk and dug in, savoring every single bite. This was a good sandwich!

Until ... I saw what was on TV. There was a man in a lab coat holding a ziploc baggie full of tomatoes, swimming in a pool of pinkish water. The headline: MASSIVE RECALL: SALMONELLA OUTBREAK.

Well, of course, I ate the rest of the sandwich. But it made me stop and think how much I take for granted the availability of certain kinds of food. Its only June in DC. And yes, it has been HOT. Still, tomatoes are far from being "in season." Yet I assume - because I live in a big city with so many other luxuries - that I can have tomato on my sandwich any time of the year. What if that changes? Will contamination (and rising fuel prices) shut down mega-farms and force everyone to start eating local foods. The author of The End of Food has an answer. He and Michel talk about it on today's show.

Take a listen. And let us know what you think. Can the way we eat and shop last forever? What would you do if you only had local produce? How much would you pay for a tomato in June?

~ Douglas

Michel Martin

5:04 PM ET | 06-11-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

A Police Checkpoint OR a Police State?

When is a local story not a local story, or not JUST a local story?

Your opinion is as good as ours but we felt that this issue of what to do about spiking crime especially homicide is one that many cities are struggling with. So when we saw that DC and police officials were trying something new we felt others would want to know what it was all about. It's a story about the police checkpoints in DC. They went up this weekend in a neighborhood called Trinidad. The DC councilman who represents the area, Harry Thomas Jr., was our guest today and told us there have been some 22 homicides there in a matter of months; there were seven in the city the weekend before last and three of them in Trinidad. This is not the first time that DC police have tried this. Here's a piece in the Washington Post that talks about some of the history.

Here's another piece that details the circumstances around the seven people killed the weekend of May 30 through June 1.

It's important to note that in many cities the crime rate is actually trending DOWNWARD. Here's a piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer today that makes that point. But the number of homicides is still too high. One is too many if the victim is someone you love.

On a more amusing note ... Gas prices (ok, not that amusing...). We had two guests from the two countries were prices are HIGHEST and LOWEST:Norway and Venezuela. Two analysts told us why.

And the MOCHA DADS. We always try to do something spicy for Father's Day. Today we got the idea to do a roundup of DAD bloggers, particularly interested in those that combine the Dad world with multicultural concerns. That's why we had an African American dad, and an author of the blog Rice Daddies, about Asian-American fatherhood. But the conversation wasn't exclusive. Jeff Steele of DC Urban Moms and Dads is not a man of color, but the list serve he moderates and the blog he writes definitely addresses, as the name implies, urban issues.

If you are a Father or thinking about becoming one or want to support someone who is, consider checking them out.

Enjoy.

(PS. Douglas here. About the piece on the police checkpoints ... we've put together an audio slideshow from the Trinidad neighborhood. We asked some residents how they felt about the new checkpoints and I think you'll find their answers very compelling.)

Michel Martin

1:47 PM ET | 06-10-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Speaking the Painful Truth

A potpourri this morning. We normally try to do our INTERNATIONAL BRIEFING on THURSDAYS, but we really wanted to hear how the Obama's soon to be nomination is playing overseas. We had two great guests, one of whom you've met before and another whom you will certainly hear from again.

Our second piece is a continuation of sorts, of a conversation that began last week. It's about a tough subject: rape. Hard to talk about, but even harder to live through. But I think you'll find in both of our guests' stories the kind of inspiration that transcends the ugliness of the crimes committed against them.

Aarlyn Mills first told her story in the Washington Post Magazine a week ago. Here it is.
It was written by Les Carpenter and I am sure you will find it as riveting as I did.

And if you missed it, here is a link to the articles by Joanna Connors. We featured her on our program last Monday.

In both cases the issue is this: it's one of the ugliest possible crimes, committed in secret. Maybe it is not intended but it almost always has the effect of silencing the victims, causing them to feel powerless, dirty and ashamed. So what if the victim flips the script? What if the victim refuses to stay silent? That's the course both of these women took in different ways. We hope that grace and peace finds them. They have surely done their part to seek it.

And a continuation of a conversation we began earlier, in connection with the Obama's troubled relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his church, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. The Obama finally decided to leave the church. Take a listen to our conversation with two distinguished clergy members and a very committed Catholic writer and blogger about why to leave, when to leave, and how faith conversations might change in the YouTube era.

Plus my thoughts on the sanctity of the ... well ... sanctuary.

Stay cool. We're roasting here in DC.

Michel Martin

2:51 PM ET | 06- 9-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Can I get some DAP?

Just one of the ways Sen. Barack Obama's campaign is changing the conversation: if you don't know what DAP is, just listen or check out the video below. (See, we are here for you.)

More reflections on the presumed Obama nomination, from a variety of voices. First, though, a conversation with Bob Johnson, the co-founder of BET and the current owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats. He is strongly advocating that Hillary Clinton join the Democratic ticket.

Also, we talk to L. Douglas Wilder, who made history as the first African American elected governor post-reconstruction. Wilder took the helm in Virginia in 1990 and served one term (under the state's constitution permits).

And, of course, the Barbershop guys.

Have a great weekend.

Michel Martin

2:33 PM ET | 06- 6-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

In the Face of Hope ... and Fear

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama claims victory with wife, Michelle Obama, in St. Paul Minnesota.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

Two faces of politics this morning: hope and fear. The fear: an update on elections in Zimbabwe. At least 30-60 people have been killed in what opposition supporters and international observers call retaliatory violence aimed at supporters of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai recently returned from abroad to stand in a runoff in an election he believes he already won but in which Mugabe will not concede. On two separate occasions we have been set to interview Tsvangirai when he had to cancel to address needs of supporters, as his people told us. Yesterday, he and a convoy of his supporters were detained. They were released about nine hours later. Today, we were able to get to his chief spokesman, Nelson Chamisa. Freelance reporter Brian Hungwe gave us additional perspective.

And, just as we got off the air came a wire story indicating that U.S. and British embassy (diplomatic) staff had been harassed by police in Zimbabwe -- their car stopped, the tires slashed, their telephones seized. They were threatened with being burned alive. This is highly unusual and provocative. We'll let you know more as we learn more.

And, then, the hope.

We have reflections on Barack Obama's historic role as a major party nominee for President. This is not a brief for Obama, but it would be journalistically negligent not to take note of the reactions to this milestone. Remember, equal voting rights for people of African descent was not achieved until 1965 when the Voting Rights Act was passed. Until then, despite the Constitution, blacks were routinely and often violently denied the right to participate in the civic life of this country.

This is not ancient history. This is within the lifetime of most adults of voting age in this country. So perhaps you can understand why Congressman James Clyburn (the House Majority Whip and a member of the leadership and the highest ranking African American in the House) literally felt he had to be alone as he watched the speech, worrying that he would not be able to control his emotions, a remarkable admission for someone who has been in this so long.

But this is not, as Obama undoubtedly would himself have mentioned, about HIM. So we talked to a diverse panel of folks, most of whom you met before on this program, to tell us what they think the moment means. And, we want to know what it means to you.

Don't worry, we kept it real. It was not all, as they say Kumbaya.

And, finally, BEER. Our summer tasting series begins.

One of our producers Jack Zahora, had to help me out because I am not a beer drinker. Sorry, I took one (ok, three or four) for the team.

Cheers ... to YOUR health.

Michel Martin

2:40 PM ET | 06- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

NYT: Clinton to Concede, Endorse Obama

The New York Times is reporting that Sen. Hillary Clinton will likely officially concede the Democratic nomination and endorse Sen. Barack Obama, the likely nominee, on Friday. As its source, the newspaper credits a senior aide to the campaign.

If true, the suspension of the Clinton campaign comes two days after Obama weighed in with 2154 national delegates -- well above the minimum 2118 needed to secure the nomination.

Lee Hill

7:48 PM ET | 06- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Clyburn Gives Nod to Obama

Big news today: House Majority Whip James Clyburn, the number three Democrat in the House, makes his long-awaited endorsement. Not surprising to many who've been reading the tea leaves. His choice is Barack Obama, but he had insisted he would stay out of the process until the process was decided. He says the time is now.

Here's Clyburn's statement:

Today the primary process draws to a close. From the beginning, I have made it clear that I would put the Democratic Party's best interest first and remain publicly neutral as this process ran its course, but it is now time to make my preference known. Today I am pledging my delegate vote to Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. I believe the nomination of Senator Obama is our Party's best chance for victory in November, and our nation's best hope for much needed change. Senator Obama brings a new vision for our future and new voters to our cause. He has created levels of energy and excitement that I have not witnessed since the 1960's. Recent surveys indicate that Senator Obama is by far the most preferred presidential candidate among Democrats and independents, and I believe he is the most electable candidate that Democrats can offer. He will be able to dramatically change the electoral map for Democrats which will in turn expand our majorities here in Congress, and help elect more Democrats at the state and local levels. Furthermore, I believe that Senator Obama is the Democrat who can unite our people, help heal our nation's wounds, improve our standing on the world stage, and steer our country in a new direction. What is especially exciting about Senator Obama's candidacy is its attraction to young and independent voters. Our Party cannot hope to continue our recent successes if we don't continue to attract new voters. Senator Obama has demonstrated the ability to draw a new map for Democrats by putting traditionally red states like Colorado, Virginia and North Carolina, and swing states like New Mexico, Missouri and Iowa in play. A recent Zogby poll has Senator Obama leading Senator McCain in every age demographic except for those over 65. That speaks volumes about which candidate represents our nation's future, and which represents our past. I admit I am over 65, but my support of Senator Obama is a vote for our children's and grandchildren's futures. This is a pivotal time for our Party, our nation and the world. This past weekend the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee made a decision to act in the interest of party unity, and now we must come together. Our Party's success going forward will depend in large measure upon how we treat each other between now and our national convention, how we appear to the nation during our national convention, and how we conduct the campaign after our national convention. Our Vice Presidential nominee will be introduced to the nation on the eve of the 45 Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, the historic petition to the nation for gender, ethnic and workplace equality. Our Presidential nominee will accept our Party's nomination on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic call for a nation where we are all judged by 'the content of our character rather than the color of our skin.' Over the next several weeks, our Party will have an historic opportunity to transcend these issues that have plagued our nation since its founding and our Party for generations. All of us have roles to play in helping to unify this party and unite in support of our nominee. But united does not mean unanimous, united means recognizing and respecting some realities. And it is a reality that delegates determine the winner. No matter the outcome tonight, Senator Obama will lead in the delegate count and should be named the nominee. Any other outcome would require un-pledged delegates, who have the power and authority to do so, to reverse the results of those who played by the established rules and worked hard in the primaries and caucuses. This would be unwarranted and could make the nomination worthless. I believe the time has come for all un-pledged delegates to make their choices known, and I believe our best choice against a George Bush third term is Senator Barack Obama.

Now, there are still a lot of questions: do other superdelegates follow and if so how soon? Do they follow in time for tonight's post election announcement? The math is not that simple: Obama needs 41.5 more delegates to get to the magic 2118; Sen. Clinton is 1917.5 (I'm not getting the half-delegate thing -- is that Michigan/Florida compromise at work? Anyway ...)

The decision to support Sen. Obama was obviously not just about the math, but also Mr. Clyburn's own history and belief and desires.

Continue reading "Clyburn Gives Nod to Obama" »

Michel Martin

11:45 AM ET | 06- 3-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Politics ... And the City

Some truly momentous and important things to talk about -- and some LESS than momentous and important things to talk about ... but something we want to talk about (Hint: four women, fab clothes).

The issue of the Michigan and Florida delegates to the Democratic convention is more or less resolved. Today, we tell you how. And, we discuss Sen. Barack Obama. He resigned his membership at the church he attended for more than 20 years.

And a story of rape and recovery: Joanna Connors tells an amazing story about her journey of recovery from rape. When something awful happens to us, it's so normal and so human to say, WHY? Why did this happen to me? Many of us turn to therapy or to faith -- to whatever helps us live through the day. Joanna used the tools of the reporting trade to track down the person who raped her and to figure out, if she could, what brought him to the place of trying to cut her throat in a darkened theater where she had gone to interview a playwright.

I confess that, as a journalist, this is not at all strange to me. It makes perfect sense. Writers write. Reporters want to know. But, I can see where others might find it beyond strange. So we'd like to know what you think. After listening to today's conversation with Joanna, is this something you would do, or wish you could do if something awful happened? Do you want to know? WHY? Are you interested in hearing from the standpoint of the other players in the story?

And, next week, we hope to bring you another powerful story about a woman who took an extraordinary stand to break the silence of abuse -- the daughter of a civil rights icon and her courageous decision to reveal his awful secret side.

If you want to read the piece that got our attention it was in last weekend's Washington Post Magazine.

And, because I cannot leave you devastated, Lalah Hathaway was on the program today and has a delicious new album. That voice makes me think of a warm sweater on a chilly day.

TOTAL HEAD SNAP here: Sex and the City.

I'm sorry. It has to happen. MUST DISCUSS. What is the point of having a blog if you can't ask people what they thought about it? Cultural moment? What says box office gold like a $56 million opening, the best ever for a film with female leads.

So, what did you think?

And Jennifer Hudson, good role or tacked on?

Big, ridiculous New York fantasy -- has nothing to do with you?

Or, awesome eye candy? Great time out with the girls? ... Are there some deep truths about the lives of women today embedded in there?

I confess, I was not a huge fan of the original television series. I watched it sometimes, mainly (to be honest) because I am in the media and I felt I had to know what people were talking about. But I did not love the gender, class or racial politics. I mean that I can understand why some people loved it, but to me, I never saw what was so wonderful about women objectifying men as either sex objects or meal tickets. And, I never liked the fact that in a city as diverse as New York, the African-American characters (few) struck me as CARTOONS (like, what was up with that Blair Underwood character? He's Sidney Poitier-PERFECT one minute, and then Snoop Dog the next because he can't get with Miranda? Spare me. SPARE ME.

... And I never figured out how a freelance writer could afford all those $500 pairs of shoes. Ok?

But, having said all that about the movie, I thought there was something there. I really did. What did you think?

The MOCHAS are going to talk about it on tomorrow's show. Weigh in.

Michel Martin

4:07 PM ET | 06- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (11) | e-mail post