News & Public Affairs

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

Interview with Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United For Separation of Church and State. Lynn will be making several appearances in the Tampa Bay area next week. During the segment he discussed school vouchers, the intent of the framers of the Constitution to put up a wall between the state and religion, the growing number of religious stations in the educational part of the band, and the importance of public schools.

PACIFICA'S COVERAGE OF 9/11

AMERICAN ELECTIONS

Steven Hill, author of FIXING ELECTIONS: THE FAILURE OF AMERICA'S WINNER TAKE ALL POLITICS (Routledge). Why are fewer Americans voting? Why do politicians conduct their campaigns without giving us much information about where they stand on the issues? Why do incumbents have so much power? Why is the country so divided politically? Who benefits when voter turnout is suppressed? Why does the U.S. continue to use the winner take all system, when other countries have modernized the process to inc...

PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE

Rev. Warren Clark and Muhammad Sultan, director and Imam at the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area are part of a group planning a prayer vigil at the main gate to MacDill Air Force Base. They want the staff at MacDill to search their consciences over the prospects of going to war with Iraq.

FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR EDWARD WALKER

Walker served as ambassador to Israel, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates during the late 1980's and 1998. Walker is the president of the Middle East Institute. He discussed the United State's policy toward Israel and the Palestinians and the discussion in Congress about whether the United States should try to depose Saddam Hussein.

"THE BACH FLOWER REMEDIES"

Playwright Aubrey Hampton has written a new play about the legendary British doctor who created the flower "rescue" remedies. The play will premier this weekend at the Gorilla Theatre in Tampa.

THE TRIALS OF LENNY BRUCE

David Skover, co-author THE TRIALS OF LENNY BRUCE (Sourcebooks). This brand new book includes a CD with audio excerpts of Bruce's comedy as well as a detailed description of the trials at which Bruce and some notable attorneys fought for the comic's first amendment rights.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK

Next week marks the annual celebration of books that have been banned or challenged. Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers for Free Expression joined Rob for this program to discuss why such books as diverse as THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN, THE BIBLE, THE HARRY POTTER SERIES, and I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS have all been the target of would-be censors in recent years.

ELECTIONS

Ken Rudin, NPR's national political editor, discussed the upcoming elections around the country for Congress and Governor. He also discussed NPR's approach to covering issues, from the Middle East to corporate scandals.

RICK BRAGG

Rick Bragg, New York Times roving reporter and author of the new book AVA'S MAN. The best-selling book describes the life of Bragg's working-class, maternal grandfather, who raised a large family in the Depression-era South.