Toyota Safety Problems: Where Were The Regulators?
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What did The National Highway Safety Administration know about safety problems with Toyota cars and did the agency act quickly enough? That’s what two Congressional committees are asking — we get an update from Eric Lichtblau, Washington correspondent for the New York Times.
Why Is Nothing Made In America Anymore?
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More than 42,000 U.S. factories have closed since 2001, when China entered the World Trade Organization. But Richard McCormack says that’s not the only reason why so little is made here anymore. We speak with McCormack, who is editor of Manufacturing and Technology News. We also speak with Brian O’Shaughnessy, chairman of Revere Copper Products, who is also a leading voice in the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a business group trying to change U.S. international tax and trade policy.
‘Snowmageddon’ Paralyzes D.C.– Again
A snowplow clears the snow along Pennsylvania Ave., in front of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. (AP)
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Another major snowstorm is walloping Washington, D.C. for the second time in less than five days. The District is frozen and it seems so is the business of government there. The apparent paralysis is making Washingtonians wonder why the city isn’t able to dig out? Steven Pearlstein , financial columnist for the Washington Post, joins us with an update from the nation’s snowbound capital.
A Look At Polygamy In North America
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An estimated 30,000 to 50,000 people live a polygamist lifestyle in the U.S., according to researchers at Brigham and Young University. Many live in isolated communities as part of the group, The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). We speak with Scott Anderson, who along with photographer Stephanie Sinclair, gained access to a number of FLDS communities and wrote about his experience in February’s National Geographic.
The National Geographic Channel tonight will air an accompanying documentary on polygamy in North America called “Inside Polygamy: Life in Bountiful.”
Previewing U.S. Prospects In Vancouver
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The U.S. is sending 216 athletes to the 21st Winter Olympics, which open in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday. They include contenders in skiing and skating as well as some lesser known events. We’ll size up the American athletes’ medal chances with Shira Springer, who’ll be reporting on the Games for the Boston Globe.
Music From The Show
- Kar Kar Madison, “Boubacar Traore”
- The Wee Trio, “About a Girl”
- Charles Mingus, “Open Letter to Duke”
- Freddie Hubbard, “Gibraltar”
- Freddie Hubbard, “Little Sunflower”
I think this is a fan letter to Robin – a Robinletter.
Posted by Michal Goldman, on February 10th, 2010 at 1:18 pmI usually don’t get a chance to hear much of Hear and Now because of work, but today because of threatened snow I was on the road and heard the story on large manufacturing in America. Robin and company, this is the first time that the story about the roots of our economic woes has made sense to me. I just have never been able to believe those stories about how small businesses are going to rescue our economy – with quotes from plucky folks who start small chocolate boutiques or whatever. (Don’t get me wrong – I’m a chocoholic, and I love Yoga too.) So I had to sit in my car while that story finished. I’m not confident that our American system of government has the will or the ability to face up to our need for large-scale manufacturing. But at least I was glad for the directness, guts, and humanity of your reporting. I liked what I heard of the rest of the program too. Yay WBUR! Now I’m going to order my roses….
I was listening sometime this week and there was an author who I think wrote a book titled Cheap or something like it. I’d like to order it but can’t seem to find it in your information. Thanks. It would be nice at the end of each show or week to list all the books that were mentioned.
Posted by Marsha Patterson, on February 12th, 2010 at 10:28 am