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The Brian Lehrer Show Archive


May 2005

Bret and Butter

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

After being elected mayor at age 34, Bret Schundler transformed Jersey City, starting new charter schools and promoting the growth of office towers on the west bank of the Hudson. A conservative Christian who likes to play the maverick, Schundler now wants to be New Jersey’s next governor.


Honor Roll

Monday, May 30, 2005

Two years after the invasion of Iraq, the American death toll stands at 1653 and rising. The demographics of these soldiers may come as a surprise to some as the majority of these soldiers are white men from the suburbs. What do the numbers say about this war, our military and how do these numbers effect recruitment? Also, Sir Harold Evans on the media coverage of the fallen soldiers.


Cab F-A-I-R

Friday, May 27, 2005

Cabs are an integral part of New York City. And like the city itself, taxis have evolved so much that the only thing that has been maintained is the yellow paint. In his new book Biju Mathew reveals the inside wheeling and dealing of the taxi industry, interviewing cab drivers to uncover part of what drives the city.


Art for Art's Sake

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Arts advocates have traditionally cited economic and educational benefits of painting, music, and literature. But a new study from the RAND Corporation questions this way of making the case for arts funding, and suggests that art’s intrinsic value is the best reason to support it.


Fila-Busted

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

On Monday night 14 moderates from both sides of the aisle came to a compromise over President Bush’s judicial nominations. Inside the Capitol dome backs have been patted, however on the outside reaction has been negative from activists on both sides of the spectrum.


Meltdown Averted

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Last night Senate moderates averted the use of the nuclear option. How will this compromise affect future controversial nominations such as an upcoming vacancy in the Supreme Court? The Brian Lehrer Show will follow this historic decision with guest host Mario Murillo.


War-niks

Monday, May 23, 2005

Director of the Center for International Relations at Boston University, West Point grad and former military officer Andrew Bacevich thinks Americans (right, left and center) have developed a tendency to 'go to war first, ask questions later.' In his new book, The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War he traces the rise of the use of the military in responding to international conflict. Plus, the new Museum of Counterculture.


Flat Notes

Friday, May 20, 2005

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman asks in his new book “Where were you when you discovered the world is flat?” In his new book The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century," he tells of a moment of illumination in a call center in India and details the way globalization has changed the playing field for business and politics. Plus, Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon on his new novel set in Sarajevo.


The Disengagement Ring

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Late last year George W. Bush hailed Natan Sharansky as a beacon of democracy. His book The Case for Democracy had been used by the administration as a blueprint to spread freedom. Earlier this month Sharansky resigned from his post as Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Jerusalem in protest over Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s disengagement plan. Sharansky indicated that his reasoning stemmed from his deep concern that if Israel left Gaza, democratic reform would not take place.


House Keys

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

In his new book Secrets of the Kingdom: The Inside Story of the Secret Saudi-U.S. Connection,” investigative reporter Gerald Posner exposes the close ties between the U.S. Government and the House of Saud that he says compromise this country’s national security. The book has already made news with its claim that the Saudi oil fields are rigged with dirty bombs to be set off should fanatics overthrow the monarchy. Also: News Quiz! Call in to answer questions on recent events in the tri-State area.


By the Brooke

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Newsweek magazine has retracted a story that reported that guards at Guantanamo Bay abused the Koran that helped spark anti-American protests in Afghanistan and elsewhere in which at least 14 people were killed. Guests Carol Rosenberg from the Miami Herald, First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams and On the Media co-host Brook Gladstone discuss prisoner abuse, free speech and anonymous sources.


Busting the Filibuster

Monday, May 16, 2005

This week the showdown over judicial nominees may come to a head. Under the current climate in Washington DC is there room for moderate politicians such as Christie Todd Whitman. Whitman wants the Grand Old Party to open their philosophical umbrella to cover more diverse views including moderates who could save the filibuster.


Bolton’ Out of the Gate

Friday, May 13, 2005

John Bolton’s nomination as UN ambassador made it out of committee (without an endorsement) and is on its way to a floor vote in the Senate. NPR senior correspondent Juan Williams reports on that and other news from Washington, including the status of the “nuclear” option. Plus: Larry Josephson discusses the career and legacy of radio pioneer Jean Shepherd.


No Surrender

Thursday, May 12, 2005

In the latest Quinnipiac University Poll Congressman Anthony Weiner pulled ahead of City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, but he continues to trail behind C. Virginia Fields and Fernando Ferrer. Weiner believes that the more people hear about him the more appealing he will become as a candidate. This morning he discusses his run for Mayor and his contributions in Congress. Also, the persistent appeal of Bruce Springsteen.


Feet In Two Worlds: Immigrants In A Global City

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

New Yorkers thrive amid multiple hybrid cultures bridging east and west, north and south. Meanwhile, millions of city residents have their ears and eyes attuned to their home countries, to their families, politics, cultural life and the flow of money across borders. This forum at The New School features discussions exploring transnational life and culture in post-9/11 New York.


Free Trade in Terror

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

In her new book, Terror Incorporated: Tracing the Dollars Behind the Terror Network, economist Loretta Napoleoni argues that terrorist group finances are so woven into our mainstream financial institutions that we’re ambivalent about really following the money trail. Also: “Slacker Mom” meets “Overachiever Mom” and the next installment in the New York 51 series: City Council Member Margarita Lopez (D) on life and politics on the Lower East Side.


I’ll Huff And Puff And Blow Your Blog Down

Monday, May 09, 2005

On Monday Arianna Huffington will launch her much anticipated blog. The Huffington Post will provide a space for visitors to read her political commentary, as well as create an internet salon for the likes of Walter Cronkite, former Sen. Gary Hart, writer David Mamet, attorney Vernon E. Jordan Jr. and novelist Norman Mailer to voice their opinions. Is old media colliding with new media?


Too Close to the Sun?

Friday, May 06, 2005

Plans for Ground Zero redevelopment are in flux: The Freedom Tower might lose the twists and the spire that were to be its defining features; Goldman Sachs may not build its new headquarters there and the cultural center is on the back burner. Also, does pop culture make us smarter? Technology writer Steven Johnson says it does.


Dream On

Thursday, May 05, 2005

New York Times columnist Bob Herbert’s new book Promises Betrayed: Waking Up from the American Dream is a collection of some of his recent columns focused on the failure of American society to live up to the promise of “liberty and justice for all.” Also: the authors of two recent memoirs about being fat and female, Wendy McClure (I’m Not the New Me) and Judith Moore (Fat Girl: a true story) compare notes and share stories.


Social Security Part 10: Parsing the Pain

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

President Bush’ new proposal for Social Security involves cutting benefits for all but the poorest of future retirees. Do his ideas offer a fair solution to a looming solvency crisis or, as some Democrats claim, unfairly target the middle class? Plus: Francine Prose on her new novel about neo-Nazis, organized philanthropy and trying to do good in the world.


Labour Relations

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

As Thursday’s elections near, Britain’s Labour Party is expected to win enough seats in parliament to keep Prime Minister Tony Blair in power, but his support for the war in Iraq continues to be an issue in the campaign. Plus: Elizabeth Kolbert on her three-part series in The New Yorker magazine about global warming and the next installment in our New York 51 series: Vincent Gentile on life and politics in Bay Ridge.


Dr. Dyson vs. Dr. Huxtable

Monday, May 02, 2005

Famed “hip-hop intellectual” Michael Eric Dyson believes there is a deep gulf between the African-American middle class and the poor. He thinks the “Afristocracy” blames the “Ghettocracy” for their poverty and lifestyle, as emphasized by Bill Cosby's remarks last year. Dyson challenges Cosby and, both, white and black members of the middle class to alleviate the social problems affecting poorer members of society.