August 1, 1996

    All Things Considered
    (entire program)


    • Linda talks to people who will be effected by changes in the welfare system: Diane Barcy, who lives in public housing in Dayton, Ohio; Robert Rector, senior policy analyst for welfare issues at the Heritage Foundation; Ariela Rodriguez, director of social services at the Little Havana Activites and Nutrition Centers of Dade County; Sharon Daly, Deputy Director of Catholic Charities USA; and Governor John Rowland of Connecticut. (12:00)

    • At a Congressional hearing today, FBI general counsel Howard Shapiro denied allegations about Hillary Rodham Clinton's involvement in the hiring of Craig Livingstone by the White House. Livingstone resigned his position this summer after it was revealed that his office had improperly acquired the FBI files of hundreds of former White House employees. Shapiro said the FBI had not acted improperly by notifying the White House that a former FBI agent had notes of a conversation in which then-White House counsel Bernard Nussbaum allegedly said Mrs. Clinton had asked that Livingstone be hired. Shapiro also defended the FBI's questioning of the former agents about the notes. (4:00)

    • Jim Zarrolli reports that Rockwell International Corp., known for B-1 bombers and space shuttles, agreed today to sell the bulk of its aerospace and defense businesses to Boeing in a $3 billion deal. Boeing will issue $860 million in stock and assume $2.2 billion in Rockwell debt to strengthen the defense and space businesses that complement its position as the world's biggest maker of jetliners. (4:00)

    • Noah talks with Jonathon Harr about his article, "The Crash Detectives," in this week's New Yorker magazine. Harr summarizes the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the 1994 crash of U.S. Air flight 427 in Pittsburgh. The cause of the crash remains unknown but there are several theories about what may have happened. (12:00)

    • Mayor Daley of Chicago has been working to make the upcoming Democratic convention go smoothly. Edward Lifson reports that many local groups are threatening to disrupt the convention if the mayor doesn't give into their demands. (4:30)

    • The welfare bill that's expected to pass the Senate today will undo sixty years of U.S. policy for aiding the country's poorest citizens. It eliminates the entitlement of destitute people to benefits, awarding benefits only for five years and requiring recipients to work after two years. It will hand over to states the responsibility of providing for the poor, using the criteria each state sees fit. The bill also adds restrictions to Medicaid, food stamps, and a variety of social programs. Peter Kenyon reports. (4:30)

    • News analyst Daniel Schorr comments on the welfare reform bill.

    • Noah talks to Robert Nathan, who was a consultant to FDR's Commission on Economic Security. Nathan says that the original goal of the New Deal was to give people jobs whether or not it was cost effective, not to give them checks from the government. (3:30)

    • Linda talks to Andy Kohut, Director of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, about a new poll that ascertains Americans' opinions about the Presidential campaign. Most people are bored with the campaign and most expect President Clinton to win. (5:00)

    • John Neilsen reports that during the Clinton Administration federal use of wiretaps has been up sharply. Now the FBI and Justice Department want to make it easier to monitor conversations on everything from telephones to computers. Civil liberties experts say the changes will not help reduce the terrorist threat. (5:00)

    • Barbara Bradley reports that today the Federal Communications Commission is issuing new rules intended to make local phone service more competitive. The unanimous FCC vote completes an overhaul that opens the local marketplace to long distance and cable T.V. companies as well as other competitors. About a dozen states are working to get competitors into their local phone businesses to go head to head with the regional Bell companies. The so-called Baby Bells have had a lock on the market until now. (4:00)

    • Noah and Linda read mail from listeners. (3:30)