President Barack Obama Thursday, May 21, 2009, at the National Archives in Washington. Above is a mural painted by Barry Faulkner in 1936 of the Constitution Convention depicting James Madison delivering the final draft of the Constitution to George Washington. (AP)
Guantanamo Detainees
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President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney square off in dueling national security-themed speeches. President Obama wants to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities and possibly bring some of the detainees to the US. Mr. Cheney says President Obama’s policies put the nation at risk. We speak with Demetri Sevastopulo, Pentagon and intelligence correspondent for the Financial Times. We also speak with attorney Brent Mickum, who is representing one of the most notorious detainees, Abu Zubaydah.
Listen We speak with Mark Halperin, editor-at-large and senior political analyst for Time magazine.
Indio, California Penalizes Foreclosure Blight
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Rising foreclosures have many communities dealing with abandoned homes with overgrown lawns and broken windows. The town of Indio, California has made that type of neglect a crime- punishable by fines that can surpass $25,000 and possible arrest. We speak with Indio Police Chief Brad Ramos who says that most banks are complying and starting to keep up their properties.
Tracking Swine Flu
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The number of swine flu cases in Wisconsin has tripled in the past two weeks. We talk to Bevan Baker, Milwaukee’s health commissioner and Angie Hagy, the city’s head swine flu tracker, about what they’re doing to track the illness and prevent it from spreading.
All “A”s
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An agile anglomaniac artfully accumulates “A”s. Robert Manson Myers, a retired English professor, has achieved a first for the English language: a 200-page book titled “Ars Amatoria” (after the poem by Ovid) containing only words that begin with the letter “A.” We speak with Professor Myers about his abnormal alliterative avocation. For more information on the book, you can email Sherry Clontz of Jostens Books at sherry.clontz@jostens.com
- Audio Extra! Hear Professor Myers read the poem “Aprilis”
- Also— hear Professor Myers’ definition of Academy Award
Music from the show
- Air, “Mike Mills”
- Ahmad Jamal, “Patterns”
- Tito Puente, “Royal T”
- Talking Heads, “This Must Be the Place”
- Kara DioGuardi, Cathy Dennis, and Mitch Allan “No Boundaries” sung by Kris Allen
- Sam Cooke, “A Change is Gonna Come” sung by Adam Lambert
Re: Chaney’s comments.
The response to 9/11 by the Bush-Chaney administration was a classic overreaction to their own failure to follow the advice of their experts and stop the 9/11 attack. They have tried to cover-up their blunders with an ill-advised war that has killed more Americans than the 9/11 attacks and all but bankrupted the USA. Chaney states that we may now have to provide shelter to terrorists. Who’s fault is that? And, given the “Shock and Awe” invasion of Iraq and the lawless conduct of his administration, don’t we already shelter the world’s most dangerous terrorists, including Chaney and George W? Why does anyone listen to Dick Chaney. He should be defending himself in a court of law not splashed all throughout the media from a ridiculous appearance before a reactionary organization.
Posted by david weed, on May 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pmOn your story All “A”s: I must have that book for my mother-in-law! She is an English language enthusiast that is to turn 94 this weekend. But how? Where? Who is the publisher? Scant info was given in the show, and my web searches have been fruitless.
Joe Yoder,
Posted by Joe Yoder, on May 21st, 2009 at 2:26 pmMontpelier, Vt.
There is no race for the presidency right now, so you needn’t give Dick Cheney equal time with president Obama for his nakedly selfish attempt to justify the lawlessness of the Bush administration,and the damage it did to the constitution and the credibility of the U.S. throughout the world.
It also doesn’t matter if, arguably, torture did result in benefits. Murder often benefits its perpetrator: yet it doesn’t make it legal.
Posted by Ross Parker Simons, on May 21st, 2009 at 3:23 pmI am fasinated by the all “A”s book. What is the title and where can I buy it?
Posted by Nick Tallarida, on May 21st, 2009 at 3:44 pmThere is not a lick of information regarding Robert Manson Myers’ “Ars Amatoria” to be found anywhere on the web! Have we been had? I’d love to have it, if it exists. Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by Sydney Bella Sparrow, on May 21st, 2009 at 9:37 pmDear Listeners,
We hope to have more information about Professor Myers’ book very soon, our apologies for the inconvenience, thanks for your interest!
Jill Ryan, Here & Now
Posted by jryan, on May 22nd, 2009 at 9:04 amConcerning the conversation with the Indio police chief: I read about this in the Wall Street Journal several weeks ago. I’m guessing the host/producers of the show found out about this story via the WSJ, yet there was no mention of that on the show. Shouldn’t Here & Now give at least a bit of credit where credit is due? I apologize if I’m off the mark, but my suspicions are that if this was a NY Times story, attribution would be given.
Posted by Kevin, on May 22nd, 2009 at 10:22 amI am fasinated by the all “A”s book too. What is the title and where can I buy it? Why don’t you have a link to it?
Posted by Michael Behr, on May 22nd, 2009 at 12:57 pmI third the need of any info on the Ars Amatoria book. Thanks!
Posted by Rachel, on May 22nd, 2009 at 9:54 pmI fourth the need of any info on the Ars Amatoria book. It was a fantastic segment. Thanks!
Posted by John, on May 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 amI too loved the interview with R.M. Myers but am unable to locate info on his book containing only words starting with the letter “a” – please help, thanks – LL
Posted by Larry Levin, on May 23rd, 2009 at 12:10 pmMe again. Through phone calls to bookstores, I have found at least the following re Ars Amatoria:
It IS in print, although none of our Vermont bookstores seem to have it yet. ISBN # 9780978839826. The publisher is listed as Josten’s Books; although when you search for them, they seem to be more about high school class rings than books. Nearly as I can tell, they put together yearbooks, and perhaps do a bit self-publishing?
Bottomline for me: At my mother-in-law’s 94th yesterday I told her about the book, and yes indeed, she MUST have it!
Posted by Joe Yoder, on May 24th, 2009 at 8:18 amI too have been looking hard and tough it is to find Ars Armatoria. Josten Books does exist and does sell other Robert Manson Myers books, but I can’t find it on their (not yearbook and classroom Jostens) website. The address I was given is 116 Independence Dr. Indian Trail, NC 28079-9452. E-mail is sherry.clostens@jostens.com Phone is 800-458-0319 which is answered by voice mail by sherry clostens – but it is a holiday weekend so I don’t know if this will lead us to the right ordering spot.
Posted by sharon quinn, on May 25th, 2009 at 3:42 pmThanks, Sharon.
Posted by Joe Yoder, on May 25th, 2009 at 3:50 pmSeems like we’re homing in on it, inch by inch!
I am fasinated by the all “A”s book. What is the title and where can I buy it?
Posted by PB, on May 27th, 2009 at 3:16 amHello!
Thank you for your interest in ARS Amatoria by Author Anonymous (Robert Manson Myers).
The book is in production and should be available the end of June 2009.
If you will, please send an email stating your name, address, phone number, email address and how many copies you desire, to sherry.clontz@jostens.com and you’ll be notified when they’re available.
Pricing is $19.95 plus $5.00 Shipping & Handling.
Thank you,
Sherry Clontz
Jostens Books
Posted by Sherry Clontz, on May 27th, 2009 at 7:56 am116 Independence Drive
Indian Trail, NC 28079
704.847.5717