Congress’s Summer Agenda
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It’s all heath care all the time on Capitol Hill, as both the House and Senate begin the final sprint before August recess. Gail Chaddock of the Christian Science Monitor says the real divide is not between Democrats and Republicans, but between the House majority leader, Nancy Pelosi, and conservative ‘Blue Dog’ Democrats.
Coming Home
The bodies of five British service men are driven though Wootton Bassett, England, Friday, July, 10, 2009. (AP)
How should we honor the military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan? In the US, their bodies are returned to Dover Air Force Base. President Obama has lifted the ban on media coverage, if the families of the fallen approve. Those ceremonies are quiet and often attended by just a few people. But in Britain, thousands of people are turning out in the village of Wootton Bassett to greet the dead soldiers. We speak to USA Today reporter Rick Hampson, who recently wrote about the return of two Americans – Army privates Aaron Fairburn and Justin Casillas. We also speak to Allison Bucknell, a member of the local town council in Wootton Bassett, England.
Lahore’s Artists Respond to the Taliban
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The Taliban is a growing presence and threat in Pakistan. And artists are afraid. The BBC’s David Loyn reports on how some in Pakistan’s cultural capital, Lahore, are responding.
Smokey Bear Turns 65
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He was first created to help preserve wood during World War II, and his campaign to prevent forest fires is America’s longest running public service campaign ever. But some say it’s time for Smokey to retire, that in fact, he’s done more harm than good. We speak to Wilderness Society wildfire expert John McCarthy.
Singer Joan Baez
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We revisit a conversation with legendary folk singer, Joan Baez, who will be appearing at the Newport Folk Festival this coming weekend. Her latest CD “Day After Tomorrow” was nominated this year for a Best Contemporary Folk Album Grammy.
Music from the Show
- Ahmad Jamal, “Patterns”
- Paul Simon, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”
- The Lickets, “Serial East”
- The Wee Trio, “About a Girl”
- Steve Earl, “I Am A Wanderer,” performed by Joan Baez
- Steve Earl, “God is God,” performed by Joan Baez
- Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan, “Day After Tomorrow,” performed by Joan Baez
- Eliza Gilkyson, “Rose of Sharon,” performed by Joan Baez
- Elvis Costello & Joseph Henry Burnett, “Scarlet Tide,” performed by Joan Baez
- Reverend Charles Tindley and others, “We Shall Overcome,” performed by Joan Baez
- Joan Baez “Diamonds and Rust” performed by Joan Baez
- Thea Gilmore “The Lower Road” performed by Joan Baez
Just heard your host refer to Smokey Bear as Smokey the Bear… When I had a college radio program about 18 years ago, we played a PSA all the time about Smokey and his correct name. In the PSA, a child corrected his father: “It’s not ‘Smokey the Bear,’ dad… You wouldn’t say ‘Easter the Bunny,’ would you?” So, ever since, it’s been burned in my brain: SMOKEY BEAR.
Posted by Barry Kluczyk, on July 27th, 2009 at 1:06 pm