Today's Takeaway | June 14, 2012

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Kumare Vikram Gandhi as Kumare (Courtesy of Vikram Ganhdi)

Russia Defends Against Criticism Over Syrian Arms Sales | Income Inequality, As Seen from the Tree Tops | Taking Stock: Latinos and the 2012 Election | The True Story Of Arizona's False Prophet | You'll Need A License For That | Pastor's Support of Gay Marriage Costs him his Congregation | The Times-Picayune and the Death of the Daily Paper | June 14, 1922: An Important Day for Radio | Finding a Voice In Politics and In Islam

Syria Arm Sales Cools Russia US Relations

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Russia of providing helicopters to assist the Assad regime. Is Putin fighting the last battle of the Cold War in Syria?

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Greek Citizen to Vote on Eurozone

This weekend, Greek voters will go to the polls in an election that could decide if the country will stay in the Eurozone. According to the latest polls, the pro-Euro-bailout New Democracy party stands neck-and-neck with the anti-bailout Syriza party for first place.

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Taking Stock: Latinos and the 2012 Election

As part of our coverage of this political year we are doing what a lot of people in the U.S. are doing as they think about voting for a new President: Taking stock of the last four years and looking ahead to the next 12 months. We sat down with former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury George Munoz to discuss the role Latinos are poised to play in this year's presidential election.

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Income Inequality, As Seen from the Tree Tops

We talk a lot about economic indicators on our show; from what the sales of Big Macs say about the economy to how gas prices are reflected in our frequency of driving. But today, we’re looking at the economy from a slightly different perspective: from the tree-tops, both literally and figuratively.

 

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The True Story Of Arizona's False Prophet

Can a fake religion have the same effect as a real one? A new movie, billing itself as “the true story of a false prophet” asks just that. Cultivating a personal mythology and teaching and perfecting thick fresh-off-the-boat Indian accent, New Jersey-born filmmaker Vikram Gandhi grew a thick beard, put on orange robes, and set up shop in Arizona, where he quickly acquired a cult following.

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You'll Need A License For That

Today, about 30 percent of Americans’ jobs require licenses: hair dressing, interior design, earth drilling, even floristry in some states. It’s a percentage that’s on the rise. Professional licenses can promote high standards and excellence in health and safety. But in our turbulent economy, where the unemployed turn to the service industry for work, regulation is often a burden. 

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Pastor's Support of Gay Marriage Costs Him His Congregation

In 2005, Reverend Oliver White announced his support of gay marriage, and two-thirds of his congregation soon abandoned the church. The congregants left with their money, and in 2007, Reverend White was forced to take out a loan to keep the church afloat. Grace Community United now owes the bank $200,000, and the church is at great risk of closing its doors for good.

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The Times-Picayune and the Death of the Daily Paper

The daily paper: it used to be an American institution. But over the past few years, more and more towns and cities have been reducing their circulation. And beginning this fall, the largest city yet will no longer have their major daily. Yesterday, over 200 staff members there received their pink slips from New Orleans paper the Times-Picayune.

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June 14, 1922: An Important Day for Radio

Ninety years ago today, President Warren G. Harding made history by being the first President to deliver an address on the radio. What was the immediate impact of the broadcast of President Harding's address and how do we continue to feel that impact in today's media environment?

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Finding a Voice In Politics and In Islam

What do Muslim American men think about their faith and the upcoming presidential election? The fact is they represent the gamut of America’s diversity. They are Republicans and Democrats, community organizers and lawyers, and their stories transcend the stereotypes and misconceptions that identify them with their religion.

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New Report: US Has Established Intelligence Operations Across Africa

According to a new report in the Washington Post, Ouagadougou Burkina Faso is the hub of a vast secret war of surveillance and assassinations targeting al-Qaeda and other terror organizations in Africa and around the world. It is a covert operation that seems to be the first initiative of global strategy and tactics focused on the failed states around the world, a way of preempting and denying terrorists access and safe haven in these lawless chaotic places.

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