Oil Cleanup Technology; Chicago Police Torture Trial; Rep. Joe Sestak; The Agenda; Rand Paul Stirs Trouble

« previous episode | next episode »

Monday, May 24, 2010

Darrell Canon, who claims to have been tortured by Chicago Police in 1983, listens to speakers during a rally outside a federal courthouse, October 27, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty)

New oil cleanup technology tries for acceptance in the midst of the Gulf oil disaster; former Chicago Police Commissioner Jon Burge goes on trial for alleged torture of black men by the CPD during the '70s and '80s; Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Penn.) on primary victory over incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn); the Agenda; post partum depression ... for fathers?; Kentucky GOP hopeful Rand Paul stirs trouble with comments on Civil Rights Act, President Obama, BP oil cleanup.

Top of the Hour: Oil Spill Cleanup, Morning Headlines

The New York Times' Campbell Robertson reports from Louisiana on the spill; headlines.

Comment

So Many Oil Spill Cleanup Ideas, So Little Time

Since last month’s explosion on the Deepwater Horizon well, it seems like everyone has an idea for how to clean up the spill. BP spokesman John Curry told us on Friday that its call center had received 74,000 calls and 19,000 emails with recommendations for cleanup technology – everything from advice to services to equipment.

Comments [18]

Takeouts: Repealing 'Don't Ask Don't Tell;' The French Open Starts

  • Washington Takeout: Congress could vote to repeal 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' this week. Washington correspondent, Todd Zwillich explains why Congress and the Pentagon are butting heads about whether now is the right time to make this change.
  • Sports Takeout: Venus Williams won her opening match in The French Open, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin recaps the first day's matches. He also looks at the latest in the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals.

Comment

This Week's Agenda: US Officials Head to China

It's Monday, which means it's time to take a look at the week ahead. Marcus Mabry, associate national editor for The New York Times, and Charles Herman, The Takeaway and WNYC's economics editor look at what almost 200 American officials headed to China for meetings today and tomorrow, can expect.  On the docket will be topics ranging from trade to Iran and North Korea.

Comment

Alleged Drug Lord at Center of Jamaican Violence

A state of emergency has been declared in sections of Kingston, Jamaica where supporters of an alleged drug lord, Christopher "Dudus" Coke exchanged gunfire with the security forces. The attacks came after Jamaica said it would extradite Coke to the U.S., where he faces drugs and weapons charges.

Comment

Do Men Really Suffer From Postpartum Depression?

Last week, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study stating that approximately ten percent of new dads experience postpartum depression.

We speak with the author behind that study, Dr. James Paulson of the Eastern Virginia Medical School. He explains how postpartum depression in men differs from the same condition in women, whether hormonal fluctuations play a role in how it manifests itself, and what treatment options are available.

 

Comment

Top of the Hour: Chicago Police Torture Trial, Morning Headlines

Rob Wildeboer covers federal courts for Chicago Public Radio and fills us in on an old case that's finally making its way to court; headlines.

Comment

Illinois Police Commander Faces Trial for Torture

After decades of claims by black men in Chicago that they were tortured and coerced into confessions during the '70s and '80s, former police commander Jon Burge now faces trial in federal court on obstruction of justice and perjury charges.

Comments [1]

Takeouts: Tension on the Korean Peninsula, Listeners On the First Synthetic Living Cell

  • North Korea/South Korea: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the situation between the North and South "precarious" and has expressed support for measures to punish North Korea for its attack on a South Korean warship. BBC correspondent, John Sudworth reports from Seoul.
  • Listeners Respond: We brought you a story Friday about how a team of scientists in Maryland had developed the first synthetic living cell, new living bacteria created from non-living parts. Today we hear what you think of the issue. Is this science or science fiction? 

    Comment

    Rep. Joe Sestak on Unseating Sen. Arlen Specter

    Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Penn.) defeated incumbent Senator Arlen Specter in last Tuesday's Democratic primary race for one of Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate seats. Sestak's victory marks the end of Specter's 30-year Senate career, and has been used to demonstrate the strength of the anti-incumbent, anti-establishment sentiment among the electorate. We speak with Rep. Sestak about his victory and how he plans to campaign in the coming months to secure the Senate seat in November.

    Comments [1]

    Pakistan Bans Facebook, YouTube for Blasphemy

    Pakistan has temporarily blocked access to Facebook and YouTube due to "blasphemy."

    Here's the context: It started with South Park. The intentionally incendiary cartoon comedy came under criticism for making an image depicting Mohammed (an act offensive to many Muslims). Comedy Central ran the episode in question, but heavily censored it; among the protests from Muslims was one from a group named "Revolution Muslim." The group posted a lengthy response to the episode, including language bordering on death threats. So another cartoonist came to the defense of free speech, and made a joking proposition that there should be an "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day."

    Comments [1]

    Rand Paul Stirs Trouble with Comments on Civil Rights

    Dr. Rand Paul, the anti-establishment candidate in Kentucky's Republican Senate primary, put the Tea Party on the political map last week as he handily beat GOP-blessed candidate Trey Grayson. But in the first few days after his victory, the novice politician stumbled on his first big political test as he repeatedly said that he did not support the portion of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that enforced non-discrimination on private businesses.

    Comment

    New Al-Qaida Video Encourages Muslims to Kill Americans

    A new video released by al-Qaida shows the radical Yemeni cleric, Anwaar al-Awlaki encouraging Muslims to kill American civilians. Al-Awlaki also says that he is proud of Nadal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter. Daniel Lav, director of the Middle East Media Research Institute's "Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor," translated the new video. He tells us more about Al-Awlaki and whether his influence as a jihadist cheerleader is growing.

    Comments [1]

    Dissecting the 'Lost' Finale

    Spoiler Alert!

    We discuss the end of "Lost" with David Itzkoff, reporter for The New York Times. He has heard from a lot of fans and finds that reactions are divided. Some like the spirituality of the ending, while others were hoping for more answers to some of the series' complicated questions. We want to hear from you! What did you think of the ending?

    Comments [2]