WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show

Your 20s: The Urban Tribe and Networks

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:03:00 -0400

Each Thursday in May, Meg Jay, clinical psychologist, assistant clinical professor at the University of Virginia, and author of The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now, looks at different aspects of life in your twenties. This week: how twentysomethings should shape relationships and networks.

Alison Bechdel on Memoirs

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:48:07 -0400

Alison Bechdel, cartoonist and author of the graphic memoir Are You My Mother? A Comic Drama, reflects on the creation of memoirs, her long-running comic strip "Dykes to Watch Out For" and her approach to graphic novels.

The Mayor vs. Soda Pop

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:45:24 -0400

Michael Saul of the Wall Street Journal, New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, and Marion Nestle, professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health and professor of Sociology at New York University and author of Why Calories Count, talk about Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to prohibit the sale of "super-sized" sugary soft drinks in NYC's restaurants.

Iran, Syria, and Mid-East Security Update

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:33:50 -0400

The unrest in Syria implicates Iran-US-Israel relations, as does the news of the latest computer virus known as "flame." We check in on Iranian stability with Afshin Molavi, senior research fellow at the New America Foundation and former Tehran-based correspondent for the Washington Post.

NJ 10th Candidates

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:28:24 -0400

Newark City Council member Ron Rice, Jr., Mayor Wayne Smith of Irvington, NJ, State Senator Nia Gill (D-34) (Montclair, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Clifton, Woodland Park) and Donald Payne, Jr., Essex County freeholder-at-large, Newark city council president and the son of late Congressman Donald Payne Sr. of New Jersey's 10th district discuss their campaigns in the primary race to represent New Jersey's 10th district in Congress.

Flame

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Iran has condemned the recent violence in Syria, but many still see that country as Syria’s strongest regional ally. Afshin Molavi of the New America Foundation discusses what events in Syria – and the recent computer virus targeting Iran – mean for stability in the Middle East. Plus: the candidates for the New Jersey 10th Congressional District Democratic primary; Alison Bechdel on her graphic novel work; and how to make connections that matter in your 20s.

Taxi Dollars and Sense

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:10:54 -0400

New York Magazine contributor Jennifer Gonnerman talks about spending a "shift in the life" of a NYC yellow cab driver-- and Lakshman "Lucky" Abeysekara, NYC taxi driver, shares his story and talks about the possible fare hike.

NJ 9th Candidates

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:19:31 -0400

Redistricting is pitting Democratic incumbents Steve Rothman and Bill Pascrell against each other in a race for the single seat to represent the new 9th congressional district.

→ Quick Links: Rothman for New Jersey | Pascrell for Congress | Patch Election Guide | NJ Spotlight Guide | Politifact Fact-Checks on 9th CD Race

European Financial Update

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:07:09 -0400

The Economist economics correspondent Ryan Avent updates us on the current economic situation and debt crisis in Europe.

Shadow Catcher

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:05:57 -0400

One of the most highly decorated officers in the history of the U.S. Immigration and Nationalization Service and the author of Shadow Catcher: A U.S. Agent Infiltrates Mexico's Deadly Crime Cartels, Hipolito Acosta, talks about his work in the "border wars."

Etan Patz Case Confession

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 09:51:26 -0400

Murray Weiss, DNAinfo columnist and criminal justice editor, talks about some of the skepticism greeting the confession in the Etan Patz case.

Ten Things We Learned From Douglas Brinkley About Walter Cronkite

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 09:21:06 -0400

Historian Douglas Brinkley has a new book about Walter Cronkite and was on the Brian Lehrer Show Tuesday to talk about the career and life of the "most trusted man in America." Here are 10 things that caught our ear. Listen to the full conversation below.

In 1972, the Quayle poll gave Cronkite the title of "the most trusted man in America" from a list that included Richard Nixon, Spiro Agnew, and George McGovern. CBS News publicists "jumped on" the title during a time when distrust in American politics was rampant due to the Vietnam War and the emerging Watergate Scandal.

Cronkite got on a plane to Vietnam when he learned about the Tet Offensive, embedding with US forces in the region. His time there would lead to one of the most significant commentaries about the situation abroad, stating that “at best it would end in a stalemate.” This showed a major shift in his centered to position to one that more on the “dove” side.

Despite CBS Executive’s Dick Salant’s concerns, Cronkite kept with his signature sign off “And that’s the way it is,” inspired from Edward R. Murrow’s “And that’s the way it was.”

Cronkite was one of the few major journalists to back Woodward and Bernstein’s investigation of the Watergate Scandal, spending the majority of his time on two segments covering the story.

In 1952, the first time party conventions garnered major media coverage, Cronkite bugged a committee room where high level meetings were taking place.

Cronkite gave a course called “How to Look Good on Television.” John F. Kennedy was one of his students.

In 1968, Cronkite encouraged Robert Kennedy to run for President, believing Kennedy would be the only candidate to pull America out of the war in Vietnam.

In 1960, Cronkite covered the Nixon – Kennedy debates. Kennedy thought that Cronkite covered his Catholicism too much and many believe that the two disagreed on Cronkite's reporting. Yet, in September 1963, during the first broadcast of Nightly News Kennedy was the first guest and the two talked about Vietnam.

Many of Cronkite's close friends considered him to be a pacifist. He vehemently protested the First Gulf War and the war in Iraq.

Cronkite quit in 1981 at the age of 64 but a year later “deeply regretted” retiring from his anchoring position.

Vulnerable in New York

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 09:05:46 -0400

Clarence Sundram, Governor Cuomo’s Special Advisor on Vulnerable Persons, discusses his recommendations to reform New York's system of services for people with special needs and disabilities.

Face Off

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The debt crisis deepens in Europe - what's it mean for the future of the Eurozone and the world economy? Plus: Murray Weiss, journalist at DNAinfo.com, discusses why Etan Patz’s family is skeptical of the alleged killer’s confession; a U.S. immigration agent talks about his work in the U.S.-Mexico “border wars”; NJ congressmen Steve Rothman and Bill Pascrell face off in the wake of redistricting; efforts to reform New York’s system of services for those with special needs and disabilities; and what the possible fare hike will mean for NYC taxi drivers.

Cronkite by Brinkley

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:18:06 -0400

Douglas Brinkley, professor of history at Rice University and author of Cronkite, talks about his biography of the news anchor called "the most trusted man in America."

The New Black Politician

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:17:45 -0400

In The New Black Politician: Cory Booker, Newark, and Post-racial America, Emory University associate professor of political science Andra Gillespie uses Newark as a case study to explain the breakdown of racial unity in black politics.

Open Phones: Vietnam Vets

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:14:05 -0400

Yesterday's Memorial Day celebrations also marked the start of a 13-year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Vietnam vets, call us with the lessons you take from the Vietnam War.

David Sanger on Post-Memorial Day Politics

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:11:09 -0400

David Sanger, chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times, WNYC contributor and author of the forthcoming book, Confront and Conceal: Obama's Secret Wars and Surprising Use of American Power, discusses the Presidential candidates' speeches yesterday and international politics.

Freelancers Collect

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:01:47 -0400

Sara Horowitz, founder and executive director of the Freelancers Union, talks about the proposed Freelancer Payment Protection Act. Freelancers: do you have deadbeat clients? Call (212) 433-WNYC (9692) or comment here.

Still Outstanding

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Freelancers Union has tracked outstanding payments owed to freelancers as part of their World's Longest Invoice project. Founder and executive director of the Freelancers Union, Sara Horowitz, discusses their attempt to crackdown on deadbeat clients. Plus, call in for Vietnam War veterans; Douglas Brinkley on Walter Cronkite; David Sanger on the latest political and international news; and a conversation about the “new black politician.”

John Horgan: Peace is Possible

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 28 May 2012 13:02:55 -0400

John Horgan, science journalist and director of the Center for Science Writings at the Stevens Institute of Technology and author of the new book The End of War, explores whether war is a part of human nature and discusses the answers people have given him to the question: "Is war inevitable?"

Julia Alvarez: A Wedding in Haiti

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 28 May 2012 11:38:49 -0400

The writer Julia Alvarez discusses her latest book A Wedding in Haiti about her trips to Haiti from the Dominican Republic and what she learned about the tense relationship between the two countries on the island of Hispaniola.

End of War: War Culture

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 28 May 2012 11:37:39 -0400

What can representations of war on stage, in film and in popular culture tell us about combat? Denis O'Hare, actor and co-writer of An Iliad, Jeanine Basinger, chair of the film studies department at Wesleyan University, and Clive Thompson, contributor to The New York Times Magazine and columnist for Wired discuss whether these representations can change the culture's view of war.

The Illusion of Free Will

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 28 May 2012 11:34:49 -0400

The writer and neuroscientist Sam Harris argues that there's no such thing as free will. In his new book, Free Will, he says science proves there's no such thing and that the premise has major policy implications for our criminal justice system and for our understanding of war in society.

Decoration Day

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

John Horgan, science journalist and author of The End of War, argues that war is not a part of human nature and answers the question: “Is war inevitable?” Then: a discussion about representations of war in popular culture, and whether they can shape our perception of combat; Sam Harris makes his case that there’s no such thing as free will and that there are major policy implications for that premise; and the author Julia Alvarez reflects on her trips to Haiti from her home in the Dominican Republic.

LARPing Along

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:50:25 -0400

Lizzie Stark, founder and editor of the literary journal Fringe, and the author of Leaving Mundania: Inside the Transformative World of Live Action Role-Playing Games, explains the world of Live Action Role-Playing games-- a kind of amalgam of improv, fantasy and historical reenactments.

→ EVENT: Book-signing at WORD: 126 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY | May 30 at 7 PM. More info here.

End of War: Veteran Paul Chappell on Peace

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:56:30 -0400

As part of our End of War series, Paul Chappell, peace leadership director for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Iraq War veteran, and author of Peaceful Revolution: How We Can Create the Future Needed for Humanity's Survival, discusses his own experience of war--and how that informs his ideas about how to get to peace.

Mosquitoes!

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:59:19 -0400

Robert Sullivan, author of The Thoreau You Don't Know: What the Prophet of Environmentalism Really Meant, says the warm winter may make for a bumper crop of mosquitoes, and the diseases they carry.

Robert Reich on the Role of Private Equity

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:53:42 -0400

Former labor secretary and professor of public policy at UC Berkeley, Robert Reich discusses the role of private equity - such as Bain Capital - in our economic system, and other news of the day.

How To Read Early Election Polls

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:43:32 -0400

Sean Trende, senior elections analyst at Real Clear Politics, discusses some of the discrepancies in early presidential polling, and how best to understand the numbers.

Asset Class

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich explains the role of private equity, venture capital, and Bain in our economy and what the current debate over Bain Capital is really about. Plus: Paul Chappell, Peace Leadership Director for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Iraq War veteran, continues the End of War series by talking about paths of peace; what the mild winter means for mosquitoes in the area; and a look at the Live Action Role-Playing subculture.

Fawaz Gerges on Whether War is Inevitable

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:50:01 -0400

Fawaz Gerges, professor of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics, came to WNYC to talk about his new book Obama and the Middle East: The End of America's Moment?. While he was here, he answered the End of War question: Is war inevitable?

Your 20s: Confidence at Work

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:03:39 -0400

Each week in May, Meg Jay, clinical psychologist, assistant clinical professor at the University of Virginia, and author of The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now, looks at different aspects of life in your twenties. This week: how some twentysomethings struggle at work when they are employed.

Obama and the Middle East

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:46:47 -0400

Fawaz Gerges, professor of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics and author of Obama and the Middle East: The End of America's Moment?, talks about the Egyptian presidential election and looks at Obama's foreign policy in the Middle East.

LGBT Parents' Rights

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:45:05 -0400

Carlos Ball, law professor at the Rutgers University School of Law-Newark and author of The Right to Be Parents: LGBT Families and the Transformation of Parenthood, looks at the legal history of LGBT parents and their children.

The Webcam Spying Verdict Aftermath

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:41:56 -0400

Managing editor of New Jersey Public Radio, Nancy Solomon, discusses the sentencing in the Dharun Ravi Rutgers spying case, and takes listener calls about how they feel now that the trial has ended.

Facebook IPO Fallout

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:39:27 -0400

Forbes managing editor Bruce Upbin discusses the initial poor performance of Facebook stock, why shareholders are suing the company, and why regulators are investigating possible wrongdoing.

The Diaspora in the Dominican Elections

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:34:39 -0400

Erica Gonzalez, executive editor of El Diario, explains the role of Dominicans abroad in the recent Dominican elections. For the first time, Dominicans in New York and New Jersey were able to vote for seven congressional seats to represent the diaspora.

Fight For Your Right

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

What went wrong with the Facebook IPO? We’ll discuss. Plus: Rutgers law professor Carlos Ball discusses his new book The Right to Be Parents: LGBT Families and the Transformation of Parenthood; NJPR’s Nancy Solomon on the sentencing of Dharun Ravi; London School of Economics professor Fawaz Gerges discusses his new book Obama and the Middle East: The End of America's Moment?; and psychologist Meg Jay offers advice for 20-somethings in the workplace as part of our May series on life in your 20’s.

Summer Movies!

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:44:54 -0400

From blockbusters to under-the-radar indies, Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and co-host of Slate's Culture Gabfest, looks ahead to summer movie season. What movies are you most excited about this summer? Let us know!

Screening Room: Watch Trailers for Some of the Movies Discussed Today

Positive Economic Indicators: Found a Job?

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:59:39 -0400

Have you found a new job? Charlie Herman, WNYC business editor, reports that New York City added more jobs in the last four months than it had since the 1950s. Call in or post here with your positive economic indicators.

EJ Dionne on What American Capitalism Means

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:17:37 -0400

E.J. Dionne, Washington Post columnist, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and professor at Georgetown University, talks partisan politics, the conversation over Bain Capital, and his new book, Our Divided Political Heart: The Battle for the American Idea in an Age of Discontent.

EVENT: E.J. Dionne will discuss the book at the Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South) on Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m.

End of War: Submissions from Guardian US Readers

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:04:00 -0400

The Guardian US posed the Brian Lehrer Show End of War question to their readers. Submissions came in from all over the world. Here are some highlights.

"Is war inevitable? Of course not. Humans are quite capable of dealing with life¹s challenges without the disaster that is war. However, if war is not inevitable, neither is an end to war. War is a choice, a highly seductive choice, especially when those in a position to start wars feel threatened, impotent, impatient, imperious, self-righteous, self-interested or just plain terrified. Although waging war requires complex calculations and strategies, it reduces the complexities and ambiguities of life to formulas. Defeat of the opposition becomes the only acceptable outcome in support of which those who most benefit from wars and violence have crafted a vast array of mythologies with a long and blinding list of who ³we² are and who ³they² are. Once war is engaged, to collaborate with the other in developing mutually beneficial strategies becomes beyond the pale. The choice to go to war represents one of humanity¹s greatest personal and social/national failures and seems only to sew the seeds of future wars..." -- Janette Daniel-Whitney from the U.S.

"I'm a former US soldier and company commander of infantry and tank companies. I was also a logistics and more often an operations staff officer. The sad reality is that war is inevitable as long as we spend $Billions on programs and war toys for Generals & Admirals that aren't needed and are an obsolete concept. Add to that Presidents and Prime Ministers who never fought in a war and led troops or sailors or airman in battle have no clue what they are putting their countries into. Combined with this is (at least in the USA), the highly political partisans politics in Congress or Parliament or other legislative bodies. They are perhaps even more ignorant. Many if not most of today;s military leaders are much better politicians than leaders in battle. They are not Monty or Patton or Rommel and as a result make poor battle decisions based on politics not tactics thus lengthening dumb wars in the first place..." -- James Phipps

"Overheard at a dinner-party-debate (in my mind): Isn't human nature such that wars are inevitable? Anthropology and neuroscience have shown that behaviors of aggression/competition vs. mutual aid/cooperation are learned, not intrinsic. People don't start wars; governments do, and never for the idealistic reasons always given. But aren't wars as old as civilization itself? Tellingly so. While primitive societies were often (but not always) warlike, their “war parties” were not for purposes of empire building and total conquest. That came later, with the rise of “civilizations”, which employed slave armies, professional soldiers and mercenaries. And the forms that various civilizations have taken throughout history have continually changed, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. We can't go back to a primitive society, but we can choose the kind of society we want. Don't we need wars to stop the “bad guys”? Aristotle said, “The first casualty of war is truth.”. Hitler was “stopped” in the “good” war. But would WWII have happened in the first place if not for the colonial ambitions of the capitalist powers of America, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan? And the allied “victory” set the stage for the rise of the largest military empire in history. The capitalist system as a way of organizing our society rewards and encourages the worst aspects of human nature. If Hitler was evil, what would you call the corporate elites and their bought-and-paid-for politicians who reap enormous profits from perpetual war? Our society will be de-militarized when the 99 per cent see through the lies that the 1 per cent use to obscure their real motivations for taking countries to war. We are many, they are few. --Peter Stevenson from Kunming, China

"Wars seem today to belong to the past, a past that was left behind with past epochs, civilizations and old practices that are no longer acceptable. 20th Century made clear how destructive wars are. But also that wars could and should be avoided. Today they seem to be far away from us in time and in space. Wars cannot be considered a normal part of politics of a civilized society. We praise pacifists, we listen to peace researchers. As we progress toward the future, civilization seems to leave wars behind it. In spite of that, we still live in very unequal societies in a world full of cultural, economic and political borders which separate people from each other. To keep borders and inequality states claim absolute sovereignty and absolute sovereignty means readiness to war. We have never before spent so much money and resources with security and weapons. Some of the most influential people in our societies are security experts for whom peace is always suspect and dangerous. In fact, absolute sovereignty and armies which garantee it are the cause of wars just like kings of the past who fought for glory and power. We do not have the best institutions to prevent wars that we do not want, but we still cultivate the conditions for wars. And if our civilization doesn't leave wars behind it, wars will leave civilization behind it." -- Martim Ferrer from Germany

"That almost all nations now maintain a standing army speaks to a refined culture of war, far evolved from the sporadic tribal feuding of our distant ancestors. The virtually unchallenged acceptance of the existence of what we ought to recognize as a corrupt alliance between the military and industry - of which we have been warned - points to the perceived importance of presumed military prowess to a nation's self-image. Even in these troubled times, when we ought to be re-evaluating how we can reconcile our apparently growing needs - or wants - with the limited resources of this planet, it is tantamount to treason to question the ever increasing expenditure of taxpayers money on the war machine. I fear the 'Defense' industry is far too lucrative to be allowed succumb to peace – and it does make the fairytale unemployment statistics look better." -- Alasdar Mullarney, an Irish emigrant writing from Southern California

“If it ain’t in the shed, you can’t use it.” This was my student’s response to my question about war and nuclear weapons. In my university classroom we were discussing how to prevent war and whether or not we should eliminate nuclear weapons. His response was right: If we don’t have nuclear weapons then we will avoid a nuclear war...There is a level of denial, dissociation, and megalomania that supports the reasoning behind stockpiling such a number of killing devices. How many times does one want to kill humanity and every other living organism (save for the cockroach who will likely be the only survivor)? The first step to avoid war is to change the mindset of stockpiling weapons. We must stop manufacturing and selling nuclear weapons because in addition to annihilating large swathes of the population, these weapons have the potential to pollute the earth for a very long time...War is a game where individuals die. Why not play another game that does not require murdering hundreds of thousands of people and severely polluting the environment? Perhaps quaint, but my student had it right: “If it ain’t in the shed, you can’t use it.” We can’t use what we don’t have. As long as war is seen as a tool to “solve” problems, we will use it. We must change our mindset and it begins with each individual at a time." -- Michelle Balaev from Greensboro, North Carolina

"War is inevitable for a number of reasons. First, it's big business. Just as the first rule of commerce is to make your own market, the first rule for weapons manufacturers is to make, or be involved in the process of making, wars occur...Secondly, human nature will always create wars. Conflict is as much part of human nature as it is any animal's: we know and like peace, but humans inevitably fight over land, resources, food, and the chance to reproduce - again, just as any animal does in nature...Essentially, the root of all human conflict is fear: fear that there won't be enough to go around. And that fear manifests as a desire to be in control. When a sense that "the other party" has control, then the desire to wrestle control from that other party comes about...When human beings become a commodity, like guns and machines, they are used as such. Factory fodder just as easily become cannon fodder when they're manipulated by the media that work hand in hand with governments and create the kind of propaganda that starts and continues wars..." --Jack Lee from New Mexico

"While I sympathize with the sentiments behind such words and phrases as “Perpetual Peace” or “The End of War”, it seems all of these exalted plans find their ruin on the uncertain foundations on which they rest. Since before you can have a “Republic” or a “Politics”, you must have a certain vision of how humans behave with one another, and their individual nature. And it is an optimist’s view of human nature, which sees the individual as a rational being, sociable, and benevolent, regarding such irrational activities as war and exploitation of others as unnecessary, since human beings, once they see what is at stake, will cooperate in the interest of peace and equality. This is what directs the likes of people such as Mr. [Horgan], towards such ideas. Yet, as an admirer of Gandhi, he does not seem to appreciate the spiritual dilemma which he faced in India, outlined in his autobiography—the problem of himsa and ahimsa. In Hinduism, the latter is the principle of non-violence and respect for life, while the former is its opposite, which is a violent and turbulent force...No matter how steadfast he is in practicing non-violence, he will [be] caught between the brute forces of organic life, chiefly being our need to eat and survive, and the elevated plain of values which strives to overcome the “merely human” in behavior, towards something nobler. Yet, to accept the latter, to the exclusion of the former, would seem like a condemnation of living, and for that matter western civilization itself. Even the very existence of institutions like the United Nations, or such concepts as the “separation of powers” are a moral judgment on the capacity of humans to restrain themselves on purely rational grounds. So if war is natural, it is the task of countries to prevent its rise, and restore order and peace..." -- Brahim Ammoune from Houston, Texas

"End of war? How is war defined? The pursuit of a nation's international foreign policy by any means? I wish I did not have to remain very sceptical. There is too much greed in this world, too many dictators, too much "territoriality," oppression, ignorance, poverty, etc. War among nations remains, unfortunately, very possible. Peace remains a noble ideal, though, and educated people everywhere should work toward that worthy goal in some way, even if just to keep informed and abreast of national and international events, and by voting in elections. Informed public opinion is important. Is there anything else we can do?...The USA should set the example, provide leadership, together with our allies, if we are able. Unfortunately this has not been the case. USA involvement in South East Asia in the 60s and 70s was a mistake, and ten years of engagement as perpetrators of war in Iraq and Afghanistan do not seem to have made the USA or the world any safer against terrorism. The situation there remains extremely tenuous." -- David A. Ross from the U.S.

"The End of War that's something worth fighting for. Our grand parents and great grand parents were involved in the war to end all wars. Sadly, their goal was twice not achieved. Sadder still is that since the last of those world wars there have been more wars fought than ever before; international and intranational it doesn't matter which. Look at Viet Nam, Korea, Congo, Yugoslavia, Rwanda to name just a few from the mid- to late-20th century. This goal cannot be achieved no matter how much we want it. With two or more fundmentally opposed ideologies confronting each other the end result will be war. It doesn't matter whether those ideology are democracy or religion war will come. In fact when one state wants to impose its view of democracy upon other democratic states there is no need for religion to initiate war. If one nation has something that another lacks then expect war. May be not always armed war but terrorism, cyber-war, economic war. Sudan and South Sudan to name one from right now. Until swords are made into ploughshares and the lion lies down with the lamb, there will be war. Or perhaps more colloquially nuclear bombs are made into nuclear power stations and the theist is content with the company of the atheist only then will there be no war. Although one nation stopping forcing its concept of democracy upon everyone else might just allow peace talks to begin." -- Trevor Jenkins from England

"The end of the Cold War, the globalization of economies and a shift in human consciousness is driving war towards obsolescence. A war between superpowers has been an increasingly remote danger since the advent of nuclear weapons and the integration of the Chinese and American economies has further reduced the threat. Battles now are more likely to involve trade or currency disputes than military posturing. Above all, curtailing humanity’s tendency to violence pivots on the question of gender equality. Patriarchal society breeds violence. Religious fundamentalism of all varieties is living proof of this, though religion is far from the only source of patriarchal bigotry. As they trickle into positions of power, women have been shown to advocate for more equal distribution of resources that support social services such as education, nutrition and health. While women still make up a small minority of world leaders, their numbers are growing and what was once seen as strictly a civil rights issue has become an issue critical to human prosperity. -- Daniel Sullivan from the U.S.

"More women in charge would be a good start to ending war. Testosterone is a major bearer of aggression. Women are more inclined by nature to negotiation and cooperation than men. I applaud the efforts already being made in this direction. Estrogen must have its day, if we are to modify our propensity to war...Having made this point, I have realized there is a more profound and ubiquitous imbalance tending toward conflict in human society, in the form of inequality. As long as there are the few who wield authority over and exploit for their own purposes the many, there can be no peace. (Democracy, as well as all other forms of government, has failed in this regard.)" -- Julia C. Beeman

"Not only is war a part of politics but can be seen as part of human society. To develop our identities we form groups based on religion, ethnicity, ancestry, language, location and any number of any markers. By connecting with identity groups we must also designate the ‘other’, the rivals, the heretics, the foreigners. The only marker that has no inherent conflicting ‘others’ is that of ‘humankind’ itself but this has little political or social currency as a form of identity. Other markers that are seen as having more impact on people’s lives and livelihoods subsume it...Going to war is a choice, made by political elites, state and group leaders not the soldiers who will fight nor the people they fight for. It is a political manoeuvre to combat perceived insecurities and identity threats. Unless there is another way (short of an alien invasion) to draw the ‘humanity’ marker to the prime position, war is an inevitable escalation of identity conflicts." -- Samuel Bullen from the U.K.

Tiny Museums: Hoboken Historical Museum

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:44:35 -0400

Robert Foster, executive director, talks about what visitors can learn from the collection in Hoboken, including a new exhibit on the Holland and Lincoln tunnels.

Black and White, Up and Down

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post is now the author of Our Divided Political Heart: The Battle for the American Idea in an Age of Discontent. Plus: Dana Stevens, Slate’s film critic and co-host of Slate’s Culture Gabfest, previews the upcoming summer movie season and what shouldn’t be missed; we take your calls on your employment status and WNYC’s Charlie Herman talks about New York City’s positive job numbers; and the Tiny Museum series concludes at the Hoboken Historical Museum.

Jorge Ramos: Al Punto

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:02:47 -0400

Jorge Ramos, anchor for Noticiero Univision and host of "Al Punto" ("To The Point"), which airs on Sunday mornings on Univision, talks about current political news as well as immigration and Univision's role in this presidential election year.

Pew Polls Polling

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:26:02 -0400

Fewer people are answering surveys today than in the past. Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center, discusses a new Pew study on the effectiveness of public polls.

Nuns Now

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:16:18 -0400

Jesuit priest James Martin, a culture editor of America Magazine and author of Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life, and Sister Mary Johnson, of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and professor of sociology and religious studies at Emmanuel College, discuss Vatican criticism of American nuns and their focus on poverty and economic justice.

Tiny Museums: Queens County Farm Museum

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:25:00 -0400

Amy Boncardo, executive director of The Queens County Farm Museum, talks about the museum's vineyards, dairy and agriculture programs and what visitors can learn on the 47-acre site.

Chen Guangcheng Arrives at NYU

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:57:10 -0400

Jerome Cohen, China law expert and professor at New York University School of Law, talks about Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng, who just arrived to start legal studies at NYU Law school after his dramatic stand-off in Beijing.