Afghanistan
An Afghan policeman carries an injured unidentified German National, a U.N. staffer from the site of a attack in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. (AP)
Taliban fighters in Afghanistan stormed a guest house used by the United Nation in Kabul and at least a dozen people were killed. The attack comes as the Obama Administration is considering a shift in strategy in Afghanistan. Thom Shanker of the New York Times reports that the strategy will now focus on protecting the ten most populous areas in Afghanistan.
A Medicare Primer
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Medicare is at the center of the debate over health care reform — what might reform mean to the alphabet soup of the behemoth Medicare program? We’ll get a primer from Stuart Altman, professor of health policy at Brandies University’s Heller School. Altman has advised presidents since Nixon about Medicare and Medicaid.
World Series
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They are calling this the Turnpike Series – as the Philadelphia Phillies head up to the Bronx to meet the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series. Can the Phillies repeat last year’s glory? Ben Reiter of Sports Illustrated is our guest.
Civil Commitment
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It’s a legal way for states to keep sex offenders locked up after they’ve served their prison terms. How does it work? We’ll speak with Dr. Anna Salter, a leading psychologist who consults with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and evaluates sex offenders for civil commitment.
The Tree That Time Built
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A new anthology for kids uses poetry and science to illustrate Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. It’s called, “The Tree That Time Built: Celebration of Nature, Science and Imagination.” The poems were selected by, and some of them written by, the Children’s Poet Laureate, Mary Ann Hoberman, and cultural anthropologist, Linda Winston. And they join us to talk about it.
Poems in the piece
- “The Termite” by Ogden Nash
- “Anthropoids” by Mary Ann Hoberman
- “Atom from Atom” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “The Pedigree of Honey” by Emily Dickinson
- “The Polar Bear” by Jack Prelutsky
- “A Discovery” by Yokoi Yayu
- “Flies” by Valerie Worth
- “Frog” by Mary Ann Hoberman
- “Just Living” by Hans Christian Andersen
- “Old Elm Speaks” by Kristine O”Connell George
Music from the Show
Fugazi, “Sweet ‘n Low”
Sun Kil Moon, “Si Paloma”
Maserati, “Wires Were Towers”
The Police, “Walking on the Moon”
Just wanted to make sure that you understand that Medicaid covers the majority of the cost of nursing home care, as compared to Medicare. At one point, it was the largest single source of Medicaid spending.
When people look at Medicaid as a “poor people’s insurance”, they miss the point that health care — and in particular, nursing home care — impoverishes people.
So Medicaid becomes not just poor people’s insurance, but critically necessary back-up insurance for ALL of us.
Posted by Fred Berman, on October 28th, 2009 at 12:19 pmI didn’t get a chance to hear the entire interview about Medicare. I’ll listen later online. HOWEVER, what I did hear did NOT mention the Medicare Advantage plan I have with NO extra premium or payment. My payment to Part B ($96.40, I think) goes directly to the insurance company from Social Security. I don’t pay anything extra to the company. My drug plan and my monthly fee to Curves is included in this plan. I pay a reasonable co-pay when I see a doctor. What changes would health care reform — which I support — make to my Medicare plan? Other companies offer similar plans.
Posted by Nancy D Solomon, on October 28th, 2009 at 4:54 pmI would like the full transcript of Dr. Anna Salter’s interview. How can I obtain a copy?
Michael
Posted by Michael dacus, on October 28th, 2009 at 11:31 pmDear Michael,
Thanks for your interest- at this time we do not provide transcripts. Our apologies for the inconvenience,
Jill Ryan, Here & Now
Posted by Jill Ryan, on October 29th, 2009 at 8:03 amThe Termite
by Ogden Nash
Some primal termite knocked on wood
Posted by Christopher, on October 29th, 2009 at 10:20 amAnd tasted it, and found it good!
And that is why your Cousin May
Fell through the parlor floor today.
Your interview with Dr. Salter was a needed breath of fresh air for the almost “witch hunt” mentality of the public concern over sex offenders. I was convicted of a domestic child sex offense and spent 2 & 1/2 years in my state’s correctional system. I was evaluated and found to not be a danger to anyone based on a research program run by Dr. Maria Haine at Md’s Patuxent Institute. It was a tragic mistake I made in my family life, but because of the overzealous prosecutorial system, I was sent away from my family. In my experience I saw about 12 to 15% of the inmates I was housed with to have severe anger management problems and/or sexually deviant behaviors. Most were like me, a non-repeat domestic offender who’s actions, though not wholly unpunishable, were interpreted by a hysterical public community to be “monster-like”, dispicable, and non-repententable. I am again a contributing member of the community thanks for the efforte of those like Dr. Salter. Thanks for your interview.
Posted by Don, on October 29th, 2009 at 5:57 pm