KQED's Forum

John Irving

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:47:43 PDT

Bestselling novelist and Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Irving has authored many notable works during his long career, including "The World According to Garp" and "The Cider House Rules." His 13th novel, "In One Person," chronicles the life of its bisexual narrator through the 1950s to the present day and explores what it means to be a sexual outsider.

The NATO Summit and Afghanistan

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:47:23 PDT

NATO and Afghan leaders meeting in Chicago formally approved a plan to draw down international forces in Afghanistan. Under the plan, the Afghan military will take the lead role by next summer, though the U.S. will maintain a presence past 2014. We discuss the challenges ahead in Afghanistan, and the evolving role of NATO in world affairs.

Paul Krugman

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:50:18 PDT

New York Times op-ed columnist and 2008 Nobel Prize winner in economics Paul Krugman has written a new book, called "End This Depression Now!" In it, he identifies the main problems with our nation's sluggish economy, and says that Keynesian principles might be the key to jumpstarting it. We'll talk with Krugman about what he thinks the future holds for both Wall Street and Main Street.

Making Sense of Europe

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:50:02 PDT

The eurozone's political and economic instability appears to be reaching a crisis point, and questions about the region's future continue to mount. Will Germany continue to push for austerity? Will Greece soon be on its own? Is Spain about to crash, with 50 percent of its youth currently unemployed?

Bill Bradley

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:56:10 PDT

Bradley joins us to share his take on the state of the nation and to offer solutions to some of our most pressing economic, political and foreign policy challenges.

California Primary: Redistricting and the Races

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:55:43 PDT

With a new top-two system and newly drawn redistricting lines, the results of the upcoming June 5 primary are hard to predict. We'll talk with election experts, political players and journalists about the important races to watch. How is redistricting changing the political landscape? And how is what's happening in California impacting the national political stage?

Remembering Carlos Fuentes

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:58:55 PDT

We look back at the life and career of renowned Mexican novelist, diplomat and Renaissance man Carlos Fuentes, who died Tuesday at age 83.

James Dunn and the Mountain Play

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:58:34 PDT

This month, James Dunn marks his 30th and final season directing the annual Mountain Play, performed each summer at a historic amphitheater on Marin's Mt. Tamalpais. We'll talk to Dunn about his career and about this year's offering, "The Music Man." We'll also look back at the history of the Mountain Play, which marks its 100th anniversary next year.

The New Politics of Extremism

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:58:12 PDT

Political scientists Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein join us to discuss their new book "It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism."

James Fallows: 'China Airborne'

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:12:49 PDT

Last year, the Chinese government rolled out an ambitious five-year plan to spend $250 billion to develop the next phase of its aviation infrastructure. Already, most of the world's airport construction is taking place in China. In his newest book "China Airborne," journalist James Fallows chronicles the country's efforts to become the leading producer and user of commercial planes. What could China's aerospace expansion mean for the U.S. and the rest of the world?

Prop. 29: The Cigarette Tax

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:12:34 PDT

It's hard to argue that any effort to stop cigarette addiction isn't a worthy pursuit. Still, Proposition 29 -- which plans to increase the cigarette tax by $1 a pack and give that money to cancer research -- is under fire. Critics say the program may be well intentioned, but that any new tax revenues should pay down the budget deficit. Proponents say making people pay more for their bad habit is a way raise needed research money, and break an addiction.

Prop. 28: The Term Limits Debate

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:12:12 PDT

On June 5, California voters will decide whether to adopt new rules on term limits. Proposition 28 would reduce the total number of years lawmakers can serve in the Legislature, while also allowing them to serve out their term in one house. Supporters say it would increase government stability and preserve institutional knowledge. Critics say it will empower incumbents and keep new faces and ideas out of Sacramento.

Poet Tracy K. Smith

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:43 PDT

In April, Brooklyn-based poet and author Tracy K. Smith received the Pulitzer Prize for poetry for her book "Life on Mars," a collection of poems that touches on childhood, the universe and the loss of her late father, an engineer who worked on the Hubble telescope. Smith joins us to discuss the award, her writings and why she looked to outer space to gain perspectives on issues closer to home.

'What Money Can't Buy'

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:05 PDT

Should children be paid to get good grades at school? Should air travelers be able to pay to board the plane first? These are some of the ethical questions explored by Harvard University political philosopher Michael Sandel in his latest book, "What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets."

Bernie Krause and 'The Great Animal Orchestra'

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:57:14 PDT

Local musician and naturalist Bernie Krause has made a career of recording and arranging the sounds of nature. In his new book, "The Great Animal Orchestra," Krause explores how animals use sound to survive in their habitats, and examines the contributions of natural rhythms to human musical expression.

Election 2012: Debut of the Top-Two Primary System

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:56:42 PDT

In the first statewide election since California voters created the top-two primary system, the two candidates with the most votes on June 5 -- regardless of their party affiliation -- will move on to face off in the November election. How will the new system impact the state's political landscape?

Voices of the Tenderloin

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:46:09 PDT

A formerly homeless photographer. The bartender from Aunt Charlie's Lounge, a local drag bar. A retired Tenderloin police captain. A Cambodian refugee and juvenile delinquent-turned-youth counselor. These are just some of the many characters inhabiting the new play "Tenderloin," at Cutting Ball Theater. The piece uses documentary-style techniques to take the pulse of the complex and gritty neighborhood. We meet the director and some of the cast.

Attachment Parenting

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:45:45 PDT

The attachment parenting movement encourages breastfeeding -- sometimes for years -- co-sleeping and wearing babies in slings. The popularity of attachment parenting in some communities has other women complaining that the high expectations of sacrifice for mothers are a backward step for feminism.

David Talbot: 'Season of the Witch'

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:54:55 PDT

In the 1970s, San Francisco emerged from the summer of love into a much darker period. From the assassinations of George Moscone and Harvey Milk to the massacre at Jonestown to the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, the city was rocked with calamities. Journalist David Talbot takes on the tumultuous years from 1967 to 1982 in his new book, "Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love."

Obama Embraces Same-Sex Marriage

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:54:25 PDT

President Obama has declared his support of same-sex marriage, a day after North Carolina approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. We'll get reaction from people advocating for and against same-sex marriage, and discuss what this decision may mean for the presidential election.

Garry Marshall - 'My Happy Days in Hollywood'

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:47:52 PDT

Garry Marshall has spent five decades working in show business. He has written material for stars like Dick Van Dyke and Lucille Ball, produced iconic TV shows including Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley, and directed the blockbuster films Pretty Woman and the Princess Diaries.

Proposed Wolf Ban

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:54:38 PDT

In December, a lone gray wolf was spotted in California, leading conservationists to hope that the species -- absent for more than 80 years -- could rebound in the state. But this week, Siskiyou County in Northern California is considering a ban on wolves in the region. We'll discuss the proposed ban, and efforts to protect the endangered species.

Rohnert Park Casino Wins Senate Approval

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:36:37 PDT

Plans for a tribal gambling casino in Rohnert Park have been approved by the state Senate and will now move on to the Assembly. We discuss the proposed casino, which would allow for 3,000 slot machines and card games.