Forum (KQED)
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Doctor Paul Farmer on the Call 'To Repair the World'
In his 2001 graduation speech to medical students at Brown University, doctor and activist Paul Farmer said while science and technology are the heart of modern medicine, "you must add the soul." Farmer, the co-founder of Partners in Health, which brings modern health care to the poor, has focused much of his career on that hands-on approach to medicine, living among and treating locals in Haiti, Peru, Russia and other countries. Farmer joins us to talk about his advice to future doctors and...
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Airbnb Faces Uncertain Legal Future
A New York judge fined an Airbnb user $2,400 this week for renting out a room in his apartment, arguing the three-night rental violated the city's "illegal hotel" laws. The popular San Francisco-based online site that allows users to offer their homes as temporary rentals has also been accused of disrupting local housing markets and failing to charge city taxes. Forum discusses what the ruling may mean for Airbnb and its users locally, and for other participants in the so-called share...
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Apple Accused of Avoiding More Taxes than It Pays
A U.S. Senate subcommittee this week accused Apple of exploiting loopholes and creating stateless foreign subsidiaries to avoid paying $9 billion in U.S. taxes last year. Yet the panel stopped short of alleging the company did anything illegal. We examine Apple's actions, the ethics of corporate tax dodging and whether the system should be reformed.
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Los Angeles Elects a New Mayor
Los Angeles voters headed to the polls Tuesday to elect a new mayor. We talk about the race between L.A. City Councilman Eric Garcetti and City Controller Wendy Greuel, and what the outcome means for Los Angeles and the rest of the state.
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Bay Area Wins Bid to Host Super Bowl in 2016
NFL team owners voted Tuesday for San Francisco to be the official host of the 2016 Super Bowl. The event will be held at the San Francisco 49ers' soon-to-be constructed $1.2 billion facility in Santa Clara. We look at the economic and social impacts the event will have on the Bay Area.
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Jeremy Affeldt: Life, Justice and Major League Baseball
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jeremy Affeldt is being called the most honest athlete in America, after he was overpaid half a million dollars and handed it back. He joins us in the studio to talk about his new book, "To Stir a Movement," his Christian faith, and his work against child slavery and child poverty.
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Poverty Rates Soar in Bay Area Suburbs
In the suburbs of East Contra Costa County, the poverty rate has grown by more than 70 percent in the past decade. That's part of a Brookings Institution report chronicling the rise of suburban poverty nationwide. The report found the rate of poverty in suburbs has grown twice as fast as it has in the cities, but anti-poverty programs have been slow to respond and are still mostly focused in urban areas. We discuss the rise of poverty in the suburbs, and what can be done about it.
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Yahoo Acquires Tumblr
On Monday, troubled internet giant Yahoo announced it will purchase Tumblr, the social media and blogging network. We speak with the Silicon Valley journalist who broke the story about what Yahoo hopes to gain from the $1.1 billion acquisition, whether it can increase its appeal to younger audiences and the implications for Tumblr's loyal user base.
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Revised Manual of Mental Disorders Stirs Controversy
A new edition of the most widely used psychiatric guide to mental disorders — "The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" — was released this past weekend in San Francisco at a meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. The manual has a big impact on public health, including what insurance companies will cover, the drugs that regulators will approve, and even which children will receive special education services. But critics say that the manual is outdated and question...
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Jon Mooallem on the Weird World of People and Animals
Journalist Jon Mooallem noticed that his young daughter was always surrounded by wild animals: butterflies on her pajamas, a stuffed toy owl, and beavers in her bedtime stories. But these romantic portrayals, he says, hid a harsh reality. Scientists estimate half of all species could be gone by the turn of the century. So he embarked on his own journey to track down three endangered animals, and discovered the extreme — even futile — lengths humans go to save them. Jon Mooallem discusses his...
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Paul Theroux: 'The Last Train to Zona Verde'
Travel writer Paul Theroux has taken his readers on adventures across Europe, India and the Middle East by railroad. His latest book, "The Last Train to Zona Verde," details his journey to the heart of Africa, the continent he knows and loves the best. He joins us in the studio.
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News in Review: Benghazi Emails, IRS Audits, Secret...
From the ongoing investigation into a purported Benghazi cover-up, to the IRS targeting right-wing groups, to the Justice Department secretly collecting journalists' phone records, it has been a tough week for the White House. We review the week's news and assess the potential political fallout from the scandals.
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Michael Pollan's 'Cooked'
As in his previous books, Michael Pollan argues in "Cooked" that relying on processed food disrupts our link to the natural world and weakens our interpersonal relationships. But this time he takes a more hands-on approach, doing apprenticeships with a variety of culinary masters who teach him the fine points of fermentation, the benefits of bacteria, and other secrets of honest cuisine. He joins us in the studio.
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Michael Pollan's 'Cooked'
As in his previous books, Michael Pollan argues in "Cooked" that relying on processed food disrupts our link to the natural world and weakens our interpersonal relationships. But this time he takes a more hands-on approach, doing apprenticeships with a variety of culinary masters who teach him the fine points of fermentation, the benefits of bacteria, and other secrets of honest cuisine. He joins us in the studio.
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Richard Haass: Foreign Policy Begins at Home
Between a nuclear Iran, climate change, and a rising China, the challenges to U.S national security are manifold. But in his new book, "Foreign Policy Begins at Home," Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass argues that the largest threats to this country come from within. With second-rate schools, a decrepit infrastructure, and growing debt, Haass writes, America should focus on improving itself.
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Dr. Louise Aronson: Writing About Illness and Aging
UCSF physician and author Louise Aronson joins us in the studio to talk about her new story collection, "A History of the Present Illness." Set in San Francisco, the stories draw on her experience working with the sick and elderly in the city's hospitals and nursing homes.
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More Faulty Rods on Bay Bridge
Recent reports state that more than 400 steel rods securing the base of the new Bay Bridge's eastern span may be faulty, adding to concerns about the bridge's seismic safety and structural soundness. The Federal Highway Administration has launched an investigation, and a state senate committee held a hearing Tuesday to find out what went wrong. We discuss the latest developments.
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Governor Brown Releases Revised Budget Plan
On Tuesday, Governor Brown unveiled his latest revision to the state's 2014 budget. The new proposal accounts for shifting economic conditions and the multibillion-dollar increase in tax revenue seen over the past several months. We discuss the revision's impact on schools, health care coverage, job growth and state debt.
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The Classics, Revisited
The great literary classics are more than merely important works of art, says author Kevin Smokler. Books that have stood the test of time should also provide insight into "how to live a great life." In his new book, "Practical Classics," Smokler advocates re-reading those oft-assigned tomes like "Candide," "Huckleberry Finn," and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." We talk with Smokler, and we want to hear from you: what makes a book worthy of revisiting?
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Upheaval at Oakland Police Department
Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan unexpectedly resigned last week, citing medical reasons. His replacement as interim chief stepped down two days later. The turmoil in the department comes in the midst of two reports critical of Oakland police. One report from a court-ordered overseer finds OPD out of compliance with federally mandated reforms from a decade-old police brutality case. Another report, by law enforcement consultant William Bratton, is critical of the department's ability to...
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David Kirp's Strategy for Public Schools
In rebuilding our public schools, education policy expert David Kirp says we should stick to what works, like quality early-childhood education and creating word-rich curriculums. In other words, avoid getting carried away by quick fixes and the latest trends. His new book, "Improbable Scholars," tells the success story of Union City, New Jersey, and argues that all our public schools can benefit from what was learned there.
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David Kirp's Strategy for Public Schools
In rebuilding our public schools, education policy expert David Kirp says we should stick to what works, like quality early-childhood education and creating word-rich curriculums. In other words, avoid getting carried away by quick fixes and the latest trends. His new book, "Improbable Scholars," tells the success story of Union City, New Jersey, and argues that all our public schools can benefit from what was learned there.
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Landmark Elections in Pakistan
Pakistan's general election on May 11th marks the first successful transition from one democratically elected parliament to another in the nation's 66-year history. But with more than 100 people killed, the election run-up has been blighted by violence. In another sign of mounting tensions, Pakistan's Interior Ministry has ordered the expulsion of The New York Times bureau chief in Islamabad. We'll discuss the election, and what it signifies for Pakistan.
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A New Path for State Parks?
Last July, the California State Parks department learned that it was sitting on a $20 million surplus. The embarrassing discovery came after the agency had declared that financial woes would force it to close 70 parks. The department got a new director and a two-year moratorium that allowed it to avoid closures. How is the agency faring now? We check the pulse of the parks, and discuss a recent state report which calls for increased outsourcing of some park sites and functions.
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Warriors Release S.F. Arena Redesign
The red-hot Golden State Warriors, who are tied with San Antonio in their playoff series, are also facing some tough opposition off the court this week. At issue is the team's plan to build a new $1 billion arena on San Francisco's Embarcadero. The arena has the blessing of Mayor Ed Lee and other city leaders, but some neighbors and environmental groups oppose the project, saying it is inappropriate for the waterfront location. Supporters maintain that the latest design, unveiled on Sunday,...
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Google's Eric Schmidt on the New Digital Age
Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, says that between Facebook and cloud computing, "your digital identity will live forever." Schmidt and his co-author, Jared Cohen, join us in the studio to talk about their book "The New Digital Age," which explores how online connectivity is changing censorship, privacy, and activism in countries like Mexico, China, and North Korea, and elsewhere around the world.
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Mark Bittman on Part-Time Veganism
Six years ago, Mark Bittman was a full-time omnivore. But then a doctor told him to turn vegan for health reasons, and suddenly Mark found himself facing a world void of meat, dairy, or processed foods. So the New York Times food writer decided to personalize his vegan diet and allow for some cheating. He called it "Vegan Before 6," or "VB6," and says it helped him improve his health and focus on cooking at home. Mark Bittman talks about his new book, and how a full-time meat lover adapted...
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Iranian American Fiction
The editors of the first anthology of Iranian American fiction say there is a maturing literary voice emerging from the Iranian American community. Many Iranian immigrants came to the U.S. after the Shah was overthrown in 1979, and roughly half of them live in California. We talk with Bay Area editors and authors of "Tremors: New Fiction by Iranian-American Writers" about their stories, culture, and community.
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Calif. High Court Rules Cities Can Ban Pot Dispensaries
In a unanimous decision, the California high court has ruled that local governments have the power to ban medical marijuana dispensaries. The decision upholds bans in about 200 California cities. But in a state with a robust pot economy, lawmakers still debate if and how to regulate the drug. We'll discuss the ruling and what this means for the marijuana market, its dispensaries and its consumers.
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Iranian American Fiction
The editors of the first anthology of Iranian American fiction say there is a maturing literary voice emerging from the Iranian American community. Many Iranian immigrants came to the U.S. after the Shah was overthrown in 1979, and roughly half of them live in California. We talk with Bay Area editors and authors of "Tremors: New Fiction by Iranian-American Writers" about their stories, culture, and community.
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Calif. High Court Rules Cities Can Ban Pot Dispensaries
In a unanimous decision, the California high court has ruled that local governments have the power to ban medical marijuana dispensaries. The decision upholds bans in about 200 California cities. But in a state with a robust pot economy, lawmakers still debate if and how to regulate the drug. We'll discuss the ruling and what this means for the marijuana market, its dispensaries and its consumers.
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Filmmaker William Friedkin
Academy Award-winning filmmaker William Friedkin reached the Hollywood stratosphere in the 1970s with such groundbreaking films as "The French Connection" and "The Exorcist." But the success was not to last. As he writes in his new memoir, "I was at the edge of a cliff and my demons were standing by waiting to push me off." Today, Friedkin is still directing films — including 2011's well-received "Killer Joe" — and has even developed a second career as an opera director. He joins us in...
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$2.25 Billion PG&E Fine Proposed for San Bruno Explosion
California regulators want to penalize PG&E $2.25 billion for the 2010 San Bruno gas line explosion that killed eight people and injured 66. California Public Utility Commission staff recommended the hefty fine, which would be the largest penalty ever brought by a state regulator in the U.S., citing the severity of the damage and PG&E's "reprehensible" failures. Forum discusses the proposed penalty and what has changed since the deadly blast.
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Israeli Airstrikes on Syria
Syria responded angrily to attacks believed to be from Israeli warplanes on Sunday, and accused Israel of coordinating with Syrian rebel groups. Its neighbor Iran also warned that it would respond to the aggression. We get the latest updates on what the airstrikes mean for the region.
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Updating the Bible
Does the Bible need a makeover? A group of 20 spiritual leaders from around the country thought so, and they convened recently to update the New Testament. The result combines traditional and newly discovered texts, including ancient Christian stories of women leading their own congregations. San Francisco-based Presbyterian minister Bruce Reyes-Chow was a part of this group, and he joins us to discuss the book, "A New New Testament."
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Fast Fashion, Cheap Clothes and the Bangladesh Disaster
The death toll from the collapse of a Bangladesh clothing factory surpassed 600 on Monday, making it the deadliest disaster in the history of the garment industry. Officials from Walmart, San Francisco-based Gap Inc. and other retailers met in Germany after the collapse to talk about improving safety measures in Bangladesh. We discuss the social costs of cheap clothing. Are you concerned about where and how your clothes are made?
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Spring Gardening
Is the unseasonably warm weather wilting your wisteria? Sapping your strawberries? Taxing your tomatoes? Whether you're a seasoned grower with a huge backyard, or you're taking a first crack at a window box of herbs, our panel of gardening and landscaping experts will advise, share stories and cheer you on.
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Suicide on the Rise Among Baby Boomers
More people currently die of suicide than in car accidents, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The suicide rate rose sharply among Americans between 35 and 64, jumping by about 50 percent for men in their 50s and women in their early 60s. Some experts suspect financial woes and abuse of painkillers may be contributing to the increase in suicides among Baby Boomers.
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Pastor Jim Wallis: 'On God's Side'
Abraham Lincoln is said to have remarked that he wasn't concerned about whether or not God was on his side. Instead, he was more concerned about being on God's side. In his new book, theologian Jim Wallis explores what it means to be aligned with the divine in an age of political dysfunction and bitter hyper-partisanship. Wallis joins us to discuss his book "On God's Side," and his call for a national conversation on the meaning of "the common good" in both our politics and our personal...
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A Conversation With Congresswoman Jackie Speier
Last year, U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier was named to the top "150 Fearless Women of the World" by Newsweek and The Daily Beast, as an outspoken advocate for women's rights. A member of the House Armed Services Committee, she has also pushed for accountability for rape in the military and is a staunch gun control advocate. Her district includes the southwest corner of San Francisco and most of San Mateo County.
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'Marketplace' Host Kai Ryssdal
Kai Ryssdal has had a number of jobs: Naval aviator, Foreign Service officer in China, bookstore employee and even KQED intern. And since 2005, he has been the host of American Public Media's economic show "Marketplace." Ryssdal joins us in-studio to "do the numbers" with his trademark humor, and talk about covering everything from credit default swaps to Halloween candy.
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Drivers Not Punished for Pedestrian Deaths
The majority of drivers responsible for the deaths of pedestrians faced no criminal charges during a five-year period from 2007-2011 in the largest Bay Area counties, according to a new review by the Center for Investigative Reporting. One-third of the pedestrians killed were legally in the crosswalk when they were hit. We discuss pedestrian safety and driver accountability.
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Sarah Polley: 'Stories We Tell'
It was a long-running joke in actress and filmmaker Sarah Polley's family. Why doesn't she look more like her father? In her new documentary "Stories we Tell," Polley tries to get to the bottom of that mystery — while also attempting to better understand her glamorous and free-spirited mother, who died when Polley was 11. But the greatest revelations in the new film involve the nature of storytelling itself. Polley joins us to discuss the film, which is showing as part of the San Francisco...
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Coming Out of the NBA's Closet
Messages of support have been pouring in for pro basketball player Jason Collins, who wrote in the new issue of Sports Illustrated, "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay." That declaration makes him the first openly gay male athlete playing on an American major league sports team. We talk about what impact Collins' announcement may have on sports at all levels.
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Health Care Leaders Push for 'Precision Medicine'
In 2011, a National Academy of Sciences report called for the creation of a "knowledge network of disease" to help researchers and doctors share information and patient data more effectively. Such a network would also allow scientists and clinicians to access data on the molecular makeup of diseases, vastly improving diagnosis and treatment. But the concept — known as "precision medicine" — is already raising ethical questions and concerns over patient privacy. We talk to the heads of...
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Michael Feinstein Opens SF Cabaret
Local fans of show tunes, torch singers, and "The Great American Songbook" are in luck: Five time Grammy-nominated singer and pianist Michael Feinstein is opening a new cabaret in San Francisco. Feinstein returns to Forum to talk about the new club, and about his work preserving and promoting America's musical heritage.
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A New Home for City Arts & Lectures
Since 1980, City Arts & Lectures has been bringing leading authors, artists, and other luminaries to the Herbst Theater in San Francisco — and to public radio listeners across the country. Now, the series has its own very own home: The Nourse Theatre, a 1693-seat former school auditorium closed to the public for over 30 years. We talk with founder and director Sydney Goldstein about the new Civic Center space and about her vision for the future of City Arts.
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Previewing President Obama's Visit to Mexico
Starting Thursday, President Obama will meet with Mexico's leader, Enrique Pena Nieto. Immigration, economic issues and drug cartels are reportedly at the top of the agenda. We discuss U.S.-Mexico relations, and what concerns local Mexicans in the Bay Area have.
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John Leguizamo's 'Ghetto Klown'
Growing up in Queens, John Leguizamo was the class clown. His classroom disruptions were so entertaining that his teacher finally handed him the number for an acting instructor. In his one-man play, "Ghetto Klown," actor John Leguizamo talks about the barriers facing Latinos in Hollywood, his struggles to impress his father, and his rise from extra in a Madonna music video to successful film actor.
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Assessing the 'Pink Ribbon' Campaign with Peggy Orenstein
In recent years, cancer specialists have warned that aggressive early screening for people at low risk for breast cancer may do more harm than good because it can lead to unnecessary treatment. Yet expensive awareness campaigns — featuring those ubiquitous pink ribbons — continue to encourage early screening and mammograms. Forum discusses breast cancer awareness and research, and the role of the high profile "pink ribbon" campaign.
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30 years of Alonzo King LINES Ballet
San Francisco's internationally lauded LINES ballet is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a collaboration between LINES artistic director and choreographer Alonzo King, and acclaimed double bassist and composer, Edgar Meyer. Forum talks with King and Meyer about modern ballet, the rewards and perils of artistic collaboration and the current season of LINES.
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Syria and Chemical Weapons
On Tuesday, Israel accused Syria of using chemical weapons against rebels, citing reports of victims foaming at the mouth. President Obama has said chemical weapons would be crossing a "red line" and "game changer," to which the U.S. would respond. The U.S. also just doubled its aid to Syrian rebels, pledging to give $123 million in body armor and other supplies. We hear the latest news and discuss America's options with the Syria situation.
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Warm Weather Getaways
This week's surprisingly hot weather has a lot of people in the Bay Area daydreaming at their desks about redwood hikes, remote campsites and lakeside lounging. We gather a panel of experts on the best camping and weekend getaways in or near the Bay Area. Where is your favorite weekend getaway destination?
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The CIA and 'The Way of the Knife'
Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Mark Mazzetti reveals how the CIA transformed from a spy outfit into a paramilitary organization focused on controversial targeted killings. In his new book "The Way of the Knife," Mazzetti talks about the increased use of drone strikes, and how the U.S. military is taking on more of the CIA's intelligence and information-gathering role.
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Furloughs, Mergers and the State of Air Travel
Flights were delayed across the country on Monday, the first day of furloughs for air-traffic controllers under federal across-the-board budget cuts. Meanwhile, a bankruptcy court recently gave American Airlines approval to merge with US Airways, potentially creating the world's biggest airline. We'll examine what air travelers can expect in the coming busy summer travel season.
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Will the Koch Brothers Buy the LA Times?
Conservative businessmen Charles and David Koch are considering a bid to buy the Tribune Company's eight regional newspapers, including The Los Angeles Times. Liberal website the Daily Kos and progressive advocacy group Courage Campaign have collected thousands of signatures protesting the move. We discuss Koch Industries' bid, and explore how it fits in with the companies' libertarian political agenda.
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Hedrick Smith: 'Who Stole the American Dream?'
Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Hedrick Smith argues that over the past 40 years, aggressive deregulation, pro-business tax policy and the demise of corporate responsibility have undermined the American dream. Smith discusses what he sees as the growing concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, its implications for the middle class and what it would take to restore shared prosperity in the U.S.
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Update on the Boston Bombing Investigation
After placing the city of Boston on lockdown, police captured the second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings late on Friday. Nineteen-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaeva was found hiding in a boat docked in a backyard after a citywide sweep by SWAT teams, military Humvees and police dogs. The other suspect, his older brother, died after a car chase and police shootout. We get the latest news from Boston, and discuss how the brothers' suspected involvement in the bombings and their Chechen roots...
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The Forensics of Finding a Bomber
Two days after twin bombs ripped through crowds at the Boston Marathon, media outlets were reporting that police had identified a possible suspect thanks to nearby cameras and facial recognition software. What goes into tracking down a bomber? With the remnants of a pressure cooker and hundreds of videos to go by, what will investigators be looking for?
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Bill McDonough: 'Upcycling' and Sustainable Design
A decade ago, William McDonough co-wrote "Cradle to Cradle," a manifesto advocating the design of products with many lifecycles, such as bottles made solely from biodegradable materials. His new book "The Upcycle" expands on these ideas by applying design solutions to global environmental challenges like food scarcity, clean water and climate change. McDonough urges us to think beyond simply minimizing our impact and to envision a world in which everything we do actually improves the...
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Senate Blocks Gun Control Measures
In a setback to gun control advocates, the U.S. Senate rejected several measures on Wednesday, including a bipartisan compromise to expand background checks for firearm purchases. At a news conference, surrounded by relatives of those killed in the Newtown, Connecticut massacre, an angry President Obama said lawmakers had caved to special interests, calling it "a pretty shameful day for Washington." We'll discuss the vote, and look at the prospects for future federal gun control legislation.
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Mary Roach's Adventures in Digestion
How does saliva work? Why doesn't your stomach digest itself? And did constipation really kill Elvis? In her new book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," Mary Roach chronicles the surprisingly exciting journey that food undertakes in the human body. Roach joins us to talk about everything you ever wanted to know — or might be disgusted to know — about the digestive process.
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The 'Gang of 8' Immigration Reform Bill
On Tuesday, the bipartisan group of U.S. senators dubbed the "Gang of Eight" unveiled an immigration reform bill that would include a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million people who stay in the U.S. illegally. We talk about the legislation and its controversial proposal that would allow immigrants to become citizens after a 13-year process.
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Explosions at the Boston Marathon
We check in on developments in Boston as the city reels from explosions near the finish line of Monday's Boston marathon. How prepared is California for a similar emergency? We'll also assess the nation's efforts to prevent acts of terror.
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Exploratorium Reopens
San Francisco's Exploratorium science museum opens the doors at its new location at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero on Wednesday. With three times more space, the Exploratorium will expand its exhibits outdoors into the city and bay. We get a preview of the revamped museum with executive director Dennis Bartels and some of the experts responsible for the museum's renowned interactive exhibits.
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The 2013 Goldman Environmental Prize Winners
The Goldman Environmental Prize is known as the "Green Nobel," one of the most prestigious awards given for environmental activism. Many winners have challenged big corporations or corrupt government officials who are harming their environments, sometimes risking prison or even death. The six winners receive $150,000 each and international attention for their work. We talk with a few of this year's Goldman Prize winners about how they're changing the world.
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Palo Alto High Students Talk About 'Rape Culture'
Student journalists at Palo Alto High School found themselves in the national spotlight when they decided to take an insider's look at stories of rape within their own school. The article in "Verde," Palo Alto's student magazine, tells the story of two students who say they were raped while drunk. We'll talk with the student journalists about what they call the "rape culture" in high school and beyond, which they say blames and silences victims.
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Wine Demystified
Are you easily intimidated by snobby sommeliers? Flummoxed by phone-book-thick restaurant wine lists? Help is on the way. We convene a panel of Bay Area wine connoisseurs to talk about how to pour and taste wine, and how to select the perfect bottle at a store or restaurant.
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Who Owns Your Genes?
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a case that could decide whether genes can be patented. The ACLU, cancer patients, scientists and others sued Myriad Genetics — which owns the exclusive rights for two genes tied to breast and ovarian cancers — arguing the company limits patients' access to affordable and accurate testing. But supporters say gene patents are necessary to incentivize research. What could the Court's decision mean for scientists, patients and corporations?
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David Stockman's 'Doomsday' Scenario
In his new book, "The Great Deformation," former Reagan budget director David Stockman says the federal budget has turned into a fiscal "doomsday machine." If the government doesn't stop "cooking the books" and get its debt under control, Stockman predicts a collapse of the U.S. economy. We'll talk to Stockman about his book and get his take on President Obama's proposed 2014 budget, introduced on Wednesday.
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SF Housing Authority in Crisis
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Housing Authority Commission voted unanimously to fire its embattled chief, Henry Alvarez. Alvarez faces three employee lawsuits and complaints of bullying, as well as a federal investigation into allegations of illegal contracting. We look at the financial emergency confronting the Housing Authority, and the future and state of public housing in California and across the nation.
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Lost Cat
Ever wondered what your cat does when you're not around? Author Caroline Paul was gripped by the question after her anxious and timid cat Tibby disappeared for several weeks, only to return fat, happy and confident. So Paul and her partner, illustrator Wendy MacNaughton, took the logical next step: they strapped a GPS and camera on Tibby to sniff out his secret second life. Paul and MacNaughton join Forum to discuss their intrepid investigation, the elusive lives of cats and their book,...
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Gun Control Showdown
On Monday, President Obama stood alongside family members of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims and called for Congress to vote on gun control legislation. While some senators are working on a bipartisan compromise, more than a dozen Republicans have threatened to filibuster a vote on any such bill. We talk about the policies being proposed, and the likely fate of gun control legislation in this Capitol Hill showdown.
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A History of Public Art in San Francisco
Today, it is nearly impossible to imagine San Francisco's Telegraph Hill without its landmark Coit Tower. But when the San Francisco Arts Commission approved the tower project in the early 1930s, public opinion was sharply divided. For 80 years, the city's arts commission has been at the center of a lively and often stormy debate over taxpayer-funded art. This commission's pivotal role in shaping public art and design is the subject of a new book, "San Francisco: Arts for the City." We'll...
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Remembering Margaret Thatcher
Leaders from around the globe are paying tribute to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who died of a stroke this week at age 87. Britain's "Iron Lady" was the country's first female prime minister and one of the 20th Century's most important political figures. But the conservative Thatcher also had many critics, who say her policies hurt workers and the country's economy. We'll discuss Thatcher's life and legacy, including her relationship with the U.S. and President Ronald...
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Syria Behind the Lines
British filmmaker Olly Lambert spent five weeks in Syria last fall, documenting the country's civil war. He spent time with rebels, refugees, and soldiers loyal to the regime. His new film, "Syria Behind the Lines," provides a rare glimpse inside the war ravaged county. Lambert joins us to discuss the film, which airs as part of the PBS series "Frontline" this April.
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Obama's 2014 Budget Proposal
This week President Obama is set to release his 2014 budget, proposing sweeping cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and fewer tax hikes. The new budget will reportedly include parts of the compromise offer that Obama made to House Speaker John Boehner in December. We talk about what's in the proposed budget, which is already getting a negative reception from Congressional Republicans, as well as from some liberals. We'll also discuss how the budget relates to the across-the-board cuts...
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Ben Sidran: How Jews Influenced American Music
What do "White Christmas," "Blowin' in the Wind," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" all have in common? They were all written by Jews. According to musician Ben Sidran, Jews helped shape the iconic American songbook, from George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, to Bob Dylan (aka Bob Zimmerman). The longtime jazz keyboard player and former NPR music host talks about his book, "There Was a Fire," and the roots of American music.
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How to Get to Zero Waste
Is the curbside garbage can headed for the dustbin of history? The city of Palo Alto has launched a pilot project that eliminates curbside garbage bins, using only compost and recycling bins. The aim of the project is to achieve zero landfill waste, a goal San Francisco and other Bay Area cities also hope to reach. We talk about what consumers can do to reduce waste and keep their compostable and recyclable trash out of the landfill.
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North Korea's Missile Threats
In response to nuclear threats from North Korea, the U.S. government announced Wednesday that it was deploying an advanced missile defense system to Guam. We'll discuss the latest developments.
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Douglas Rushkoff on 'Present Shock'
Author and trend-spotter Douglas Rushkoff says humans are living in the present more than ever before. But he isn't talking about a serene Zen-like state of being in the moment. Instead, thanks to mobile devices and other technology, "presentism" is characterized by a constant state of distraction, and a need for immediacy which affects virtually everything: the way we tell stories, invest money, and even evaluate politicians. Rushkoff joins us to talk about his new book, "Present Shock."
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Obama Invests in Brain-Mapping Project
On Tuesday, President Obama unveiled a new initiative to map the human brain. The plan is to invest $100 million starting in 2014, so scientists can create a "road map" of the brain's circuits, similar to the documentation done for the Human Genome Project. The initiative could develop tools to help treat diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and it's being co-led by a Stanford scientist. But critics say there are no clear end goals and no set deadline, and that the money could be...
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Robert Alter's 'Ancient Israel'
Biblical scholar Robert Alter considers himself a "literary archaeologist." In his award-winning translations of the Hebrew Bible, he aims to reconstruct and restore the poetry and prose style of the original ancient text. Alter joins us to discuss his latest installment, "Ancient Israel," a translation of "The Former Prophets," the Biblical books Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings.
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Daniel Kahneman on Behavioral Economics
According to Steven Pinker, Daniel Kahneman is "the most important psychologist alive today." His work on decision making and irrational economic choices has made him one of a very small group of non-economists who have earned a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. Kahneman joins us to discuss how and why we make the decisions we do, and how that can help us understand politics, the economy and even the way we grocery shop.
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Anti-Tax Activist Grover Norquist
Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist has made no secret of his ultimate goal. He has famously said he wants to shrink government "to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub." Norquist's "taxpayer protection pledge," which asks candidates to commit to opposing all tax increases, has been signed by 219 House members and 39 senators, as well as more than 1,000 state officeholders. We'll talk to Norquist about the current budget battles in Washington and the future of the...
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Stockton Cleared to Enter Bankruptcy
A federal judge has ruled that Stockton is eligible for bankruptcy protection, making it the largest city in the United States to enter bankruptcy. The judge rejected claims by the city's creditors that Stockton isn't really broke and that it should have cut its pension payments instead of reneging on other debts. The judge said the question of how bankruptcy will affect Stockton's large pension obligations will be a central issue in the case going forward, and it will be closely watched by...
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Teens, Texting and Online Behavior
More U.S. teens than ever are using smartphones as their main access to the Internet, according to a recent report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project. But teens' constant texting and Internet access can create headaches for parents worried about monitoring sexting, cyber-bullying and other inappropriate online activities. What are teens up to on the web these days, and how much should parents control teens' online behavior?
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NPR Cancels 'Talk of the Nation'
After a 21-year run, NPR's "Talk of the Nation" call-in show will end this summer. We'll hear from NPR about its decision and get listener reactions and recommendations for what should replace the program. And we'll talk about recent reports on the health of news media in general.
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Bolts Found Broken on New Bay Bridge Span
More than 30 large bolts on a section of the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge broke after workers tightened them. Bridge officials said on Wednesday that the bolts, ranging from nine to 25 feet in length, are located on the eastern foundation of the new self-anchored suspension bridge. We talk with Steve Heminger, head of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, about what the discovery means for the safety of the new $6.4 billion span — and for its scheduled opening Labor Day weekend.
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Memory Triage and Other Secrets of Sleep
When you go to sleep, your brain doesn't take a nap. According to a recent study, it keeps working: organizing memories by what's important and what isn't, in a form of "memory triage." One of the researchers, UC Berkeley professor of psychology Matthew Walker, joins us to discuss his findings, and to answer questions on sleep and memory.
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Massive Cyberattack Slows Internet Worldwide
On Wednesday, parts of the Internet slowed down when a group of spammers working in an abandoned bunker in the Netherlands decided to launch a cyberattack. The attack was aimed at the anti-spam watchdog, Spamhaus, which blocks fake Viagra and weight-loss ads. When Spamhaus added Cyberbunker to its blacklist, the Dutch group retaliated with a massive distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, one of the largest reported cyberattacks ever. Experts join us to talk about the incident and the...
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Are Robots Taking a Toll on Jobs?
The Golden Gate Bridge switches this week from toll booths to electronic tolling. The pre-payment system is supposed to make commuting faster, but it also puts human toll booth operators out of a job. With robots playing increasingly key roles in manufacturing, surgery, and everyday operations, where does that leave the flesh-and blood worker? Are there downsides to the rise of robots? Or does this reliance on technology simply make humans more efficient, creating new job opportunities?
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Same-Sex Marriage and the Supreme Court: An Update
On Wednesday, the second of two days of landmark arguments over same-sex marriage, the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the 1996 Federal Defense of Marriage Act which denies federal tax, pension, and other benefits to married same-sex couples. Defenders of the law say it appropriately defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman for purposes of federal benefits. Opponents say it violates equal protection. We analyze the arguments presented and the justices' reactions.
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Game Over for Consoles?
Video game consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation have long ruled the gaming world. But the increasing popularity of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices is shaking up the industry. As game developers from around the world gather this week in San Francisco for their annual conference, we look at the future of video games.
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Student Loan Interest Rate Set to Rise
The current student loan debt totals $1 trillion. It's the biggest worry among college-bound high school students, according to a recent Princeton Review Survey. They may have even more to worry about starting July 1, when the interest rate for subsidized student loans jumps to nearly 7 percent, unless Congress acts. Is there a better plan for students to manage, or even lower, their overall debt? We talk to experts about options for dealing with student loans.
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Funding Cuts Hurt Community College Access
A new report shows student enrollment rates in California's community colleges have dropped to a 20-year low. According to the findings of the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), state funding cuts have severely affected whether students can access state education, and have hit returning students especially hard. We talk to the report's co-author about the other ways the funding cuts have impacted students.
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The Golden Gate Bridge Switches to Electronic Payments
On Wednesday, the Golden Gate Bridge will become the first in California to accept only electronic payment for bridge tolls, either with FasTrak, a license plate account or through pre-payments. We discuss what the changes mean for commuters and tourists, and we talk with a soon-to-be-unemployed toll taker about the end of the era of personal service on the iconic bridge.
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Kids and Food Allergies
If it seems like childhood food allergies are more common than they used to be, it is because they are: nearly one in 10 preschoolers have allergies to food, and the rate of such allergies has more than doubled in the past decade. For kids with severe allergies, the condition can restrict normal everyday activities like eating out, and often results in frequent trips to the emergency room. But public awareness is growing, and there are promising developments in research and treatment.
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Amnesty International Head Salil Shetty
Salil Shetty grew up with activist parents in India in the 1970s, and he has followed in his family's footsteps. He now heads Amnesty International, the human rights organization that calls attention to the plight of war refugees, political prisoners and others at risk around the world. Salil Shetty joins us to talk about how the group is dealing with rape in India, massacres in Syria and other international issues, as well as its continued call to release prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.
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Supreme Court Hears Same-Sex Marriage Cases
On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Proposition 8, California's voter-approved 2008 ban on same-sex marriage. The following day, the high court will take up the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples. We'll preview the historic hearings.
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First Person: Susan Wojcicki
Susan Wojcicki is a central player in the origin story of Google. In 1998 she rented her Menlo Park garage to Sergey Brin and Larry Page to start the company. She became Google's 16th employee and now, as the head of the company's advertising products, she brought in $43.7 billion last year - 95 percent of Google's revenue. As part of our First Person series profiling notable leaders in the Bay Area, we talk with Susan Wojcicki about the changing world of digital advertising, and about...
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NCAA Tournament Tips Off in San Jose
San Jose is hosting several NCAA Tournament games this week at HP Pavilion — and local officials hope the tournament will provide an economic boost to the South Bay. Bay Area basketball fans have a lot to cheer about on the court, with Cal's men's and women's teams both participating, along with the top-seeded Stanford women. In a special broadcast from KQED Silicon Valley, we talk about the tournament and discuss the state of college hoops.
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First Person: Rose Pak
Rose Pak has been called the most powerful woman in San Francisco. Many credit the Chinatown political activist with being the kingmaker behind Mayor Ed Lee's election, and the person most responsible for the increasing political power of Asian-Americans in the city. Pak joins us as part of our First Person series, profiling the leaders, innovators and others that make the Bay Area unique.
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First Person: Rose Pak
Rose Pak has been called the most powerful woman in San Francisco. Many credit the Chinatown political activist with being the kingmaker behind Mayor Ed Lee's election, and the person most responsible for the increasing political power of Asian-Americans in the city. Pak joins us as part of our First Person series, profiling the leaders, innovators and others that make the Bay Area unique.
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Devil's Slide Tunnels Set to Open
After nearly five decades and $439 million, the new Highway 1 bypass at Devil's Slide is set to open March 25. The bypass avoids a section of highway between Pacifica and Montara known for multiple landslides and deadly car accidents. The twin tunnels, which extend through San Pedro Mountain, will be the first new highway tunnels to open in California in nearly 50 years. They feature state-of-the-art technology with huge exhaust fans and carbon monoxide sensors. We discuss the tunnels'...
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Tom Steyer: Billionaire Investor Turned Climate Activist
San Francisco billionaire, investor, philanthropist and environmentalist Tom Steyer has emerged as a political force in California in recent years, backing two successful environmental ballot measures. Now the former hedge fund manager is taking a greater role on the national stage, particularly in the fight against climate change. He was even in the running to become President Obama's next energy secretary.
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Trouble at Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco?
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are facing serious management and morale problems, according to recent news reports. The institutions — which include the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park — have been without a director since John Buchanan died over a year ago. Several longtime staff members have been fired. Some critics have blamed Board President Diane B. Wilsey for the museums' troubles and have accused her of nepotism and other misuses of...
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SF Supervisor Proposes Planned Parenthood 'Buffer Zone'
A San Francisco supervisor is looking to expand the zone that separates reproductive health clinics like Planned Parenthood from anti-abortion protesters. Supervisor David Campos wants to replace the current eight-foot "bubble zone" with a 25-foot buffer around the entrances, exits and driveways of clinics that offer reproductive services. Supporters say it will protect the patients who visit these clinics from being harassed — but protesters say it infringes on their free speech rights.
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Sarah Ogilvie's 'Words of the World'
Oxford English Dictionary editor emeritus Sarah Ogilvie caused a literary stir for alleging in her new book that a former editor of the OED had deleted words with foreign origins. Ogilvie joins us to discuss the book "Words of the World: The Global History of the Oxford English Dictionary." We'll also explore the role and usefulness of dictionaries in an online age.
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In My Experience: The Iraq War
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the United States' invasion of Iraq. As part of our "In My Experience" series spotlighting the personal stories of local residents, we'll talk with four people whose lives have been profoundly affected by the Iraq War.
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China's Terracotta Warriors Come to SF
When the Chinese Emperor Qin Shihuang died in 210 BC, he took his royal court and over 7,000 of his soldiers with him to the grave. But they were all made of clay. Dubbed the "ghost army," over 7,000 terracotta warriors were built by craftsmen and lined up underground alongside clay horses and weapons. A portion of those soldiers are now on display at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. We talk to experts about the exhibit.
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The Iraq Invasion, 10 Years Later
Tuesday marks the 10th anniversary of the United States' invasion of Iraq. Former president George W. Bush justified the 2003 invasion on the grounds that then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. That assertion proved to be incorrect, as did the administration's initial prediction of a brief conflict. The third-longest war in U.S. history has claimed the lives of at least 190,000 people — including 4,488 U.S. service members and 134,000 Iraqi civilians — and...
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What Grandmothers Do
As fond as we may be of our grandmothers, evolutionary biologists have long questioned why women live for so long after they can procreate. The so-called "grandmother hypothesis" posits that grandmothers help the species survive by taking care of grandchildren and helping support families. In the U.S., grandparents are the primary source of child care for a third of families with a working mother and young children. We discuss the role of grandmothers in the U.S. and globally. What role did...
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A Later Last-Call for California Bars?
California cities and towns could allow bars and restaurants to serve liquor until 4:00 a.m. under a proposal by State Senator Mark Leno. Currently, the state permits booze service from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. The San Francisco Democrat says the extended hours would boost employment and promote tourism. But critics contend that the change could lead to more crime and encourage drinking and driving.
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San Francisco Symphony on Strike
On Wednesday, the 100-plus musicians of the San Francisco Symphony officially went on strike, just days before they were set to perform at Carnegie Hall and kick off an East Coast tour. The musicians say they want salaries comparable to the Chicago and Los Angeles symphonies, and they question the bonuses and spending of symphony management. Symphony officials say musicians are already well compensated, with average salaries exceeding $165,000. We hear from both sides on the discord.
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The Science of Winning and Losing
What makes some people thrive in the heat of competition, and others drop the ball? How important are genes in predicting success? Those are among the questions explored by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman in their new book "Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing." Bronson joins us to discuss the book, which challenges many commonly held assumptions about success and failure.
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The Science of Winning and Losing
What makes some people thrive in the heat of competition, and others drop the ball? How important are genes in predicting success? Those are among the questions explored by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman in their new book "Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing." Bronson joins us to discuss the book, which challenges many commonly held assumptions about success and failure.
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A New Pope
White smoke rose from the Vatican chimney on Wednesday: a signal to the world that the Roman Catholic Church had elected a new pope. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, hereafter known as Pope Francis I, was elected the 266th pontiff, the first South American and the first Jesuit to lead the Church. We'll discuss the new pope, his background and what his selection means for Catholics in Latin America and around the world. We'll also examine the challenges he faces, including priest...
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J-Street Founder Jeremy Ben-Ami
When Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel was confirmed last month despite opposition from conservative Jewish groups, some observers declared it a victory for the more moderate Israel lobby group J-Street, which supported Hagel. J-Street founder and president Jeremy Ben-Ami joins us to talk about his group's work and about President Obama's trip to Israel next week.
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Anti-Jihad Ads Return to SF Muni Buses
For the second time in a year, San Francisco Muni buses are featuring ads critical of Islam. The latest ones feature pictures of and quotes from Osama bin Laden and the Times Square car bomber. Local officials and Muslim groups have denounced the ads — but the city has refused to pull them on free speech grounds. We talk to critics of the ads, and the woman behind the campaign.
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Bill Would Ban Smoking in Apartments, Condos
California would ban smoking indoors for people living in townhouses, condos, apartments and other attached units under a bill introduced by state Assembly member Marc Levine. The San Rafael Democrat says he wants to protect the one-third of Californians who live in multi-unit complexes, and who may be forced to breathe secondhand smoke from their neighbors. If approved, it would be the strictest anti-smoking law in the country. We'll talk to Levine and an opponent of the idea.
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In My Experience: Working With the Dead
As part of our "In My Experience" series, we talk with people who work with the dead for a living. A crematorium director, a woman who specializes in at-home funerals and a student who dissects cadavers all join us to share their stories. How has working with the dead changed their own views on life?
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'A Fierce Green Fire'
The new documentary "A Fierce Green Fire" traces the history of the modern environmental movement, chronicling dramatic battles like the Sierra Club's fight against dams in the Grand Canyon, Greenpeace's campaign to save whales and recent efforts to combat climate change. San Francisco-based director Mark Kitchell, who also made the Academy Award-nominated "Berkeley in the Sixties," joins us in the studio. Who are your environmental heroes?
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America's Cup Funding Shortfall?
America's Cup organizers are falling short in their efforts to raise private donations to help pay for the cost of bringing the America's Cup sailing competition to San Francisco — and that could leave the city on the hook for about $20 million. The Board of Supervisors holds hearings Wednesday to discuss the shortfall. Supporters say even without all of the promised private funds, the city still benefits financially from hosting the America's Cup.
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First Person: Aileen Hernandez
For more than six decades, San Franciscan Aileen Hernandez has been working to make American society more equal. A native New Yorker born of Jamaican parents, she moved to California to work for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. She went on to become the only woman appointed by President Johnson to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and, soon after, helped found the National Organization for Women (NOW). She became NOW's second president, where she worked for...
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International News Roundup
Tensions in North Korea over new United Nations sanctions, elections in Kenya with candidates accused of war crimes, and ongoing efforts to free peacekeepers seized by Syrian rebels are just some of the latest stories from around the world. We discuss the top international headlines with a panel of experts.
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Civil Rights Leaders Remember the March on Washington
In August 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood before thousands of people in front of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered those historic words, "I Have a Dream." Almost 50 years later, that iconic speech still resonates. We remember the March on Washington and talk to those who worked alongside Dr. King — including one who helped pen that famous "I Have a Dream" speech — about Dr. King's legacy and where the civil rights movement stands today.
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How Would Funding Changes Affect Calif. Schools?
Governor Jerry Brown wants to dramatically restructure the way California allocates funding to schools by providing extra funds to districts with large numbers of needy students. But critics say the formula benefits mostly urban areas to the detriment of more affluent suburban districts. We'll discuss the plan and check in with some Bay Area school districts to get their response.
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How to Eat for a Longer Life
The connection between diet and health has been well established — but can eating your broccoli really help you live longer? We'll discuss the latest research on nutrition and longevity with researchers from Marin's Buck Institute on Research in Aging. We also check in with Rebecca Katz, author of the new cookbook "The Longevity Kitchen."
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The Dow Skyrockets: Sign of Recovery?
The Dow Jones industrial average rocketed to a record high this week, the highest since the recession. Is this a sign our economy is recovering? Or is it just a short-term spike? We talk about what this means for the economy, market growth, jobs, housing and the road ahead.
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The Bay Lights
On Tuesday night, the Bay Bridge's western span shone with 25,000 white lights, in what has been billed as the world's largest LED light sculpture. We'll talk about the ambitious installation, designed by artist Leo Villareal. What do you think of the Bay Lights? How does it stack up against other large-scale public art projects?
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What's at Stake in the Kenyan Election?
Kenyans waited in lines stretching up to one mile Monday to vote in that country's first presidential election since 2007. Gangs with machetes have reportedly killed at least 15 people, stirring memories of the bloody violence that left over 1,200 dead during the 2007 elections. We talk about what these current elections mean for Kenya, Africa and the world — and why the leading candidate may also face a war crime trial at The Hague.
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The Death and Legacy of Hugo Ch?vez
Venezuelan President Hugo Ch?vez died Tuesday at the age of 58, after a battle with cancer. We'll discuss the controversial leader's career and look at what lies ahead for Venezuela, the fourth-largest oil supplier to the United States and, under Ch?vez, a U.S. adversary. We will also consider the likely successor to Ch?vez and discuss whether his socialist and revolutionary agendas will continue after his death.
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Joyce Carol Oates on 'The Accursed'
Shortly after moving to Princeton, New Jersey in 1984, Joyce Carol Oates began drafting a story based on the Victorian-era history of the area. After setting the manuscript aside for 30 years, Oates has finished what became a gothic thriller, "The Accursed." The novel combines portrayals of historical figures like Upton Sinclair and Woodrow Wilson with surreal elements — including vampires, demons and ghosts. We talk to the celebrated author about her new novel and prolific career.
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Harmeet Dhillon Elected Vice Chair of Calif. GOP
San Francisco Republican Party Chair Harmeet Dhillon made history over the weekend. She became the first woman to be elected vice chair of the state GOP. A practicing Sikh of Indian descent, she endured several racial slurs during the course of her campaign. We talk to Dhillon about her unusual career — including a stint as a board member with the ACLU — her vision for the party, and her experiences as a Republican in San Francisco.
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Joyce Carol Oates on 'The Accursed'
Shortly after moving to Princeton, New Jersey in 1984, Joyce Carol Oates began drafting a story based on the Victorian-era history of the area. After setting the manuscript aside for 30 years, Oates has finished what became a gothic thriller, "The Accursed." The novel combines portrayals of historical figures like Upton Sinclair and Woodrow Wilson with surreal elements — including vampires, demons and ghosts. We talk to the celebrated author about her new novel and prolific career.
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Child Cured of HIV
Scientists say a two-year-old Mississippi girl who was born with HIV has been cured of the infection. If the findings are confirmed, AIDS specialists say the case is a game changer in the search for a cure. She is the first child and only the second person to have been cured of HIV. While the adult was cured with a bone marrow transplant, the baby was treated with drugs early and aggressively — and researchers say the case may change the way they treat HIV-infected people.
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Lawrence Wright on His New Play and Scientology
We talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning author, journalist and playwright Lawrence Wright. His new play on the life of Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci premieres at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre this week. Fallaci, who died in 2006, was well-known for her controversial interviewing style. She once threw her chador off in protest while speaking with Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini. Wright himself is no stranger to controversy. His latest book "Going Clear" is an in-depth investigation into...
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Washington Roundup: This Week in Politics
The deadline to come up with a deal to avoid sequestration has come and gone. President Obama made some dire predictions about the March 1 deadline, so what political and economic fallout are we actually dealing with? Now that Chuck Hagel's rocky confirmation as defense secretary is over, will John Brennan, Obama's pick for CIA director, get the same treatment? We'll take a look at the big political stories of the week with a team of Washington experts.
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A National Day of Unplugging
On Friday evening, people across the country will turn off their cell phones and laptops to observe the fourth annual National Day of Unplugging. The event is part of the growing "slow tech" movement, which promotes mindful and balanced use of technology. We'll discuss why you might need a break from your electronics, and the best ways to unplug.
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A National Day of Unplugging
On Friday evening, people across the country will turn off their cell phones and laptops to observe the fourth annual National Day of Unplugging. The event is part of the growing "slow tech" movement, which promotes mindful and balanced use of technology. We'll discuss why you might need a break from your electronics, and the best ways to unplug.
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Obama Administration Urges Court to Strike Down Prop. 8
The Obama Administration has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. We discuss the administration's legal stance on the issue and its potential impact on the court, as well as efforts nationwide to legalize same-sex marriage.
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Max Boot: Tracing the History of Guerrilla Warfare
War isn't what it used to be, at least according to the conventional wisdom that modern warfare is now irregular and asymmetric, making traditional forces largely obsolete. But military historian Max Boot argues that guerrilla warfare and insurgency are hardly recent developments. Those tactics were actually common for most of human history. In his new book "Invisible Armies," Boot traces the history of irregular warfare.
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Should SFO be Renamed for Harvey Milk?
John Wayne, JFK, Reagan and Bob Hope aren't just celebrities and politicians - they're also airports. Supporters are hoping Harvey Milk will join that roster. One city supervisor is proposing renaming San Francisco International Airport after the former supervisor and gay rights pioneer. But a recent poll suggests 61 percent of likely San Francisco voters oppose that idea. Do you think SFO should be named for Harvey Milk? What would you rename the airport?
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Mike Tyson on His 'Undisputed Truth'
Retired boxer Mike Tyson promises to talk about everything in his one-man show, from biting Evander Holyfield's ear to his prison time for rape charges. "Nothing is off limits," Tyson says. The play, "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth," is directed by Spike Lee and runs for three nights at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre. The show chronicles the former heavyweight champion's life, from his days being bullied as a kid in Brooklyn to his struggle with drugs and the death of his young daughter.
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Study Confirms Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet — which emphasizes things like fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fish — has long been promoted as a healthy approach to eating. A major new study, published Monday in the New England Journal of Medicine, provides even more reasons to eat like an Italian, Spaniard or Greek. Among the findings: people on a Mediterranean diet had a 30 percent lower risk of major cardiovascular problems compared to people who followed a low-fat diet.
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Yahoo Bans Working From Home
Yahoo Inc. told employees last week that they may no longer work from home or other remote locations. The announcement came as a surprise in an industry known for non-traditional work arrangements and generous employee perks. According to the U.S. Census, the number of people working from home has increased steadily, with almost 10 percent of the workforce working from home at least one day a week. We'll discuss flexible work programs: Do they increase or hurt productivity?
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Kim Gordon on Life After Sonic Youth
Former Sonic Youth singer and guitarist Kim Gordon says that since she was five years old, all she ever wanted to be was an artist. Music, she says, was just an escape from the art world. Maybe so, but Sonic Youth's groundbreaking sound has influenced everyone from Nirvana to Russian-dissident band Pussy Riot. Sonic Youth disbanded in 2011, after Gordon's marriage to bandmate Thurston Moore ended. But she continues to perform, as well as to create and exhibit her visual art.
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Roman Mars is '99% Invisible'
Roman Mars produces a radio show and podcast called "99% Invisible" that focuses on design and architecture. But that doesn't just mean buildings: Roman investigates the history of everything from cul-de-sacs and subway escalators to monks who make beer. Roman Mars joins Forum to talk about how "99% Invisible" went from an underground pet project to a Kickstarter success story, and why fans call him "the Ira Glass of design."
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Michael Sandel: Public Philosopher
Harvard University political philosopher Michael Sandel teaches Harvard's most popular course. It's called "Justice," and explores the often thorny moral and ethical issues underlying the news. Is torture ever justified? Should we bribe people to be healthy? Should a nation be allowed to buy the right to pollute? Sandel returns to Forum to talk about justice.
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How Will the Sequester Affect California?
The sequester — the $85 billion in spending cuts that Congress and President Obama delayed at the start of the year — is set to take effect on March 1. The cuts are split between defense and domestic programs, and will slice into Medicare, work assistance, police departments and many other government programs. We talk to experts about the sequester's effects — both nationally and here in California.
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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was raised Catholic, but in her 50s she learned her parents were Jewish and that many of her relatives died in the Holocaust. Her family fled to England and narrowly escaped Nazi tanks when she was a toddler. In her new memoir, "Prague Winter," Albright explores her family history and the story of the birth of Czechoslovakia.
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'Why Priests? A Failed Tradition'
Garry Wills says he has nothing against priests. He respects priests, and he once tried to be one. But in his new book, he questions whether there is any precedent for the priesthood based in the early church and the New Testament. Wills argues that a church system that exalts priests runs counter to Jesus' teachings on community, and that the it can lead to corruption and sin. Author and historian Garry Wills joins us to talk about his book, "Why Priests? A Failed Tradition."
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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was raised Catholic, but in her 50s she learned her parents were Jewish and that many of her relatives died in the Holocaust. Her family fled to England and narrowly escaped Nazi tanks when she was a toddler. In her new memoir, "Prague Winter," Albright explores her family history and the story of the birth of Czechoslovakia.
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'Why Priests? A Failed Tradition'
Garry Wills says he has nothing against priests. He respects priests, and he once tried to be one. But in his new book, he questions whether there is any precedent for the priesthood based in the early church and the New Testament. Wills argues that a church system that exalts priests runs counter to Jesus' teachings on community, and that the it can lead to corruption and sin. Author and historian Garry Wills joins us to talk about his book, "Why Priests? A Failed Tradition."
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And the Oscar Goes to...
Movie critics were surprised when Ben Affleck wasn't nominated for a Best Director Oscar. Will his film "Argo" be vindicated with other awards on Sunday? Will the story of the killing of bin Laden or the tale of the president who saved the U.S. from being split in two take home Best Picture? We talk with a panel of film critics in advance of this weekend's Academy Awards about their favorite (and least favorite) of the nominees.
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'Overheated: The Human Cost of Climate Change'
Andrew Guzman realizes that his warnings about the human costs of climate change might come across as alarmist. "But that's because we should be alarmed," he writes in his new book "Overheated." The UC Berkeley law professor believes that there has been too much discussion about the science of climate change, and not enough about the likely consequences — things like famine, war and mass migration. Guzman joins us in the studio.
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1,000 Places To See Before You Die
Have you ever cruised through the palm-fringed canals of Kerala? Or taken a sunrise balloon safari over Masai Mara? Those are just some of the 1,000 places that travel writer Patricia Schultz thinks you should see before you die. We talk with Schultz about some of her top travel picks, and we'll hear from our listeners. What is your must-see destination?
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1,000 Places To See Before You Die
Have you ever cruised through the palm-fringed canals of Kerala? Or taken a sunrise balloon safari over Masai Mara? Those are just some of the 1,000 places that travel writer Patricia Schultz thinks you should see before you die. We talk with Schultz about some of her top travel picks, and we'll hear from our listeners. What is your must-see destination?
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1,000 Places To See Before You Die
Have you ever cruised through the palm-fringed canals of Kerala? Or taken a sunrise balloon safari over Masai Mara? Those are just some of the 1,000 places that travel writer Patricia Schultz thinks you should see before you die. We talk with Schultz about some of her top travel picks, and we'll hear from our listeners. What is your must-see destination?
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New Report Accuses Chinese Government of Cyber-Espionage
An American cyber-security firm released a report yesterday that sent shockwaves through tech and national security circles. According to the company Mandiant, government-backed Chinese hackers have stolen data and intellectual property from 115 U.S. targets since 2006. Some of the companies targeted are involved in infrastructure that's critical to the U.S., like the power grid and water works. We'll examine the report's findings, the possible threat to U.S. national security and what...
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Has Bragging Become an Epidemic?
Are we witnessing a bragging epidemic, or does it only sometimes feel that way? Facebook gives us a constant stream of parents boasting about their kids' academics, musical talent and sports prowess while others flaunt their exotic travels and exploits. And there is the so-called "humblebrag," where the braggart decries some small difficulty while really reminding everyone of why his or her life is so good. Why do we boast? Does it benefit us, and when, if ever, is it OK?
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Study Links Alcohol to Cancer Deaths
A new study finds that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase the risk of cancer-related death. We'll hear from one of the study's authors, who says alcohol is responsible for 20,000 cancer deaths every year. But the study is not without controversy. Some researchers say alcohol may have certain health benefits, and that it's risky to advocate total abstinence. We'll look at the mechanism by which alcohol may increase cancer death. Should you give up booze altogether?
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Newlyweds Search for a Bone Marrow Donor
Last year, Kevin Weston was riding high. He had just won a journalism fellowship at Stanford, and was raising two daughters with his partner Lateefah Simon, a civil rights activist and MacArthur Genius fellow. Then doctors told him he had leukemia, and needed to find a bone marrow donor by the end of the month. But Kevin is African-American — and African-Americans comprise only 7 percent of registered donors. Kevin and Lateefah join us to share their story. We'll also discuss the low rate of...
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What Does Silicon Valley Want From Obama's Second Term?
Silicon Valley donated over $14 million to President Obama's re-election campaign, and the president made quite a few promises on his many visits to the region, including steps toward immigration reform. We'll discuss what Silicon Valley leaders want from Congress and Obama's second term administration when it comes to upgrading visa laws, tax shelters and online privacy.
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Is It Time to Raise the Minimum Wage?
In Tuesday's State of the Union address, President Obama urged Congress to increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour by 2015 and to provide for annual cost of living adjustments. The California Assembly will also consider a bill which would raise state hourly rates to $9.25 by 2016. We discuss the politics and economics of the proposed minimum wage increases, and the impacts on workers and businesses alike.
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Meteor Hits Russia
A meteor exploded in the sky above Russia's Ural Mountains today, causing a shock wave that damaged buildings across a vast territory and injured hundreds of people with flying glass.
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Univision and the Importance of Ethnic Media
Univision is the dominant Spanish-language TV channel in the United States, and it's looking to further expand its base. It recently teamed up with Disney to launch Fusion, the first 24-hour cable channel aimed at Latinos who speak English. Univision's Isaac Lee joins us to discuss outreach to the booming Latino population, how it tackles immigration coverage and the importance of ethnic media.
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What Makes a Good Preschool?
President Obama said in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday that every child in the U.S. should get a high-quality preschool education. So, what makes a good preschool? We'll discuss play-based versus more academic preschools, and what the latest research says is the best way to prepare a toddler for the world.
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Has the Military Abandoned Osama bin Laden's Shooter?
The Navy SEAL who says he killed Osama bin Laden has left the service and, according to a new profile in Esquire magazine, now feels abandoned by the military, with inadequate health coverage, no pension and no security detail. We talk with Phil Bronstein, the author of the piece, about the details of bin Laden's shooting and the hardships faced by even the most elite military personnel when they return to civilian life. And we discuss the controversy surrounding the article. Critics say the...
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Bay Area Traffic Congestion Ties L.A.'s
Bay Area residents might find it hard to mock Los Angeles for its traffic congestion anymore. A recent report ranks the San Francisco-Oakland area right alongside L.A. for traffic delays, second only to Washington, D.C. Bay Area commuters waste 61 hours per year sitting in their cars because of congestion. Where is the worst traffic in the Bay? And what does so much idling mean for drivers and the environment?
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Al Gore: Past, Present and 'Future'
"There is no prior period of change that remotely resembles what humanity is about to experience," writes Al Gore in his new book "The Future." And he's not just talking about climate change. Gore explores the six forces he says will reshape our world in the years to come. The former vice president, Nobel Peace Prize-winning environmentalist and entrepreneur joins us in the studio. We'll talk about the book as well as the controversial recent sale of his cable network Current TV to Al...
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Pope Benedict Resigns
In a surprise announcement Monday, Pope Benedict XVI said he would resign this month after less than eight years in office. He's the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years, when Pope Gregory XII stepped down, and the first to have done so voluntarily since Celestine V in 1294. We'll get news from Rome, and check in with Bay Area Catholics about who might be a successor and about the future of the Catholic Church in the U.S. and worldwide.
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First Person: Rhodessa Jones
Performer, teacher and theater director Rhodessa Jones has spent her rich and varied career merging social activism and theater. In the late 1980s she founded the widely acclaimed Medea Project: Theater for Incarcerated Women, which in recent years has been exploring the stories of women living with HIV. Jones was recently presented with the San Francisco Mayor's Art Award. We talk with Rhodessa Jones as part of our First Person series on the leaders, innovators and others who make the Bay...
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Obama's Second Term and the State of the Union
On Thursday, President Obama told House Democrats that his top priority is job creation. But what else will he focus on in his second term? We'll preview Obama's State of the Union Address. What do you wish the president would say on issues such as national security, unemployment and education?
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Rob Corddry on Comedy, Clowns and Zombie Love
Actor and writer Rob Corddry is perhaps best-known for his stint as a popular correspondent on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Corddry went on to appear in hit movies like "Hot Tub Time Machine," and he won a 2012 Emmy for his medical drama-spoof "Children's Hospital." We'll check in with Corddry about his career, his new horror film "Warm Bodies" and how his wife taught him how to speak like a zombie. Corddry performs at SF Sketchfest this Saturday.
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Lyrics Born: 'Yes, Bay Area'
When rapper and producer Tom Shimura (aka Lyrics Born) was at UC Davis, he and his friends at the campus radio station found they shared a taste for innovative, underground hip-hop. The group, which also included artists like DJ Shadow and Blackalicious, went on to create the influential SoleSides record label. Today, Berkeley-based Lyrics Born performs around the world, and his music is heard frequently in movies, video games and TV shows like HBO's "Entourage." He joins us to talk about...
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The Future of the U.S. Postal Service
The United States Postal Service this week announced it will no longer deliver mail on Saturdays, starting this summer. The USPS is deep in the red, and taking Saturdays off is expected to save about $2 billion per year. But will that money be enough to save the postal service? Should it dip into its pension fund, or even privatize? We talk about what options remain for the USPS, and about a local push to save the historic Downtown Berkeley Post Office from being sold.
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George Saunders' 'Tenth of December'
Back when George Saunders was a geophysics graduate with dreams of being a writer, the faculty at Syracuse University's creative writing program decided to take a risk on him. They called him their "grand experiment." Today, George Saunders has multiple awards and a MacArthur "Genius" grant to his name, along with a new collection of short stories called "Tenth of December," which the New York Times called "the best book you'll read this year." We talk with George Saunders about crafting a...
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Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom thinks hackers may be the key to good government. California's lieutenant governor and San Francisco's former mayor says officials are often hampered by old equipment and policies. But he thinks the tech community can step in and create apps for better bus schedules, carpooling systems and tracking your tax dollars, among other things. Lt. Gov. Newsom joins us to talk about his new book, "Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government." We'll also talk...
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Is Online Dating Changing Our Relationships?
One-third of all single Americans now use dating websites to find potential mates. Has this shift in the way we meet changed the way we think about relationships? In his book "Love in the Time of Algorithms," Dan Slater argues that an efficient, easily accessible pool of singles has made people less likely to stay in unsatisfying relationships out of fear of being alone. But does it also make it hard to commit when a better option may just be a mouse-click away?
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Using Drones to Target Americans
Until this week, little was known about the legal framework the U.S. government operates under when ordering the killing of its citizens. But now a leaked Justice Department memo outlines the legal case for some of these attacks. Civil liberties groups decry the policy as an overreach of executive authority. The leak comes as the Obama administration's nominee for CIA director, John Brennan, a drone program supporter, is due to appear before the Senate for a confirmation hearing.
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President Obama Speaks on the Nation's Finances
President Obama made a statement this morning about the nation's finances, just a day after he signed a debt ceiling bill suspending the nation's borrowing limit until May 18. We discuss the president's speech.
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SF Weighs Requiring Soft-Story Earthquake Retrofits
Thousands of San Francisco's so-called soft-story homes — three-story or higher wood-frame buildings built before 1978 — are vulnerable to earthquakes. On Tuesday, the city's Board of Supervisors will look at a proposal to mandate earthquake retrofitting of these structures by 2020.
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King Richard III's Remains Found
Five-hundred years after he died in battle, scientists have discovered the skeleton of King Richard III under a British parking lot. The short-reigned monarch is known as a Machiavellian hunchback who purportedly committed atrocious murders on his journey to the throne. But the king has modern day supporters who say he was unfairly maligned both by the Tudor monarchs who succeeded him and in William Shakespeare's portrayal. We discuss the finding and the legacy of King Richard III.
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'The Little Book of Heartbreak'
Author Meghan Laslocky thought she had it bad when it came to love: she's been dumped 12 times. But then she discovered that Ernest Hemingway stole his wife's job when their marriage was collapsing. And that Lord Byron sent a breakup letter to his girlfriend, and had his new lover sign it. Laslocky joins us to talk about her new work "The Little Book of Heartbreak," and the history of lost love in movies, art and literature. What was your worst breakup? And how did you cope?
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Calif. High Court Considers Pot Club Bans
Should local governments in California have the power to ban medical marijuana clinics? That's the question the state Supreme Court will take up on Tuesday in a closely watched case. Meanwhile, things are heating up in Oakland, where the Harborside Health Center marijuana dispensary faces possible closure by the U.S. Justice Department. We get the latest on the state's pot wars.
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Super Bowl XLVII: Post Game Show
Our panel of Monday morning quarterbacks analyzes Sunday's Super Bowl matchup in New Orleans between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens.
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Hillary Clinton's Legacy
Today is Hillary Clinton's last day as U.S. secretary of state. During her tenure, she worked to boost global economic development, health and women's rights. But she also faced a heated review of her handling of the Benghazi attack that killed four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya. Will Benghazi be her legacy? Where else has she made an impact? Clinton told NPR, "I don't see myself getting back into politics." But is a 2016 presidential run still in the cards?
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Filmmaker Sari Gilman
We talk with San Francisco filmmaker Sari Gilman, director of the Oscar-nominated documentary short "Kings Point." The film, which spotlights the lives of residents at a Florida retirement community, raises complex questions about aging in America.
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California's New Prison Chief
Four years ago, as head of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections, Jeffrey Beard testified in federal court that California's prisons were dangerously overcrowded. Now, as the new head of California's corrections system, Beard says the crisis is over and the courts should release state prisons from a federal population cap. We talk with Secretary Beard about conditions in state lockups and his plans for improvement.
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First Person: Street Outreach With Kevin Grant
Kevin Grant knows about life on the streets. He used to be an Oakland gang member, and did time in and out of prison for robberies and selling drugs. Now he's back on the streets at night, but in a different role. He's breaking up fights before they escalate into violence or murder in Oakland — and he's talking young people into putting down their guns. Grant won the California Peace Prize for his work in November. He joins us to talk about breaking the cycle of violence and retaliation in...
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Homophobia in Sports
Just days before the San Francisco 49ers' first Super Bowl appearance in 18 years, cornerback Chris Culliver said he wouldn't welcome a gay teammate in the locker room. The team quickly responded with an official statement supporting the LGBT community. Do Culliver's comments reflect a pervasive anti-gay sentiment in sports, or is he an individual outlier?
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Should SF Tear Down Part of I-280?
San Francisco has a history of tearing down freeways. In the 1990s, both the Embarcadero Freeway and the Central Freeway were torn down after being damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Now, Mayor Ed Lee's office is floating a new plan to raze the tail end of Interstate 280 as a way to make the surrounding neighborhood more walkable and livable, and to spur development. But the plan would mean moving an important Caltrain railyard, and critics worry about how surface streets will...
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Undocumented Students, 'In and Out of Shadows'
Poet and playwright Gary Soto has spent a good part of his life writing about the migrant laborers he grew up with in the San Joaquin Valley. In a new play set to run at San Francisco's Marsh Theater, Soto decided to tackle the newest generation of immigrants: the undocumented students struggling to stay in school and keep their parents from being deported. We talk to the poet and the theater's co-founder about this new work, as well as some young immigrants trying to stay in the United...
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Crisis in Mali
French-led troops in Mali now control the ancient city of Timbuktu, which was occupied for 10 months by Islamists. France now plans to turn over long-term security operations to an African force. Have the militants been defeated or have they just retreated to the desert? We'll get the latest on the conflict, and discuss the U.S. role in the region.
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Blind Soprano Laurie Rubin: Seeing Through Music
When opera singer Laurie Rubin takes the stage, she stares straight into the audience — even though she can't see a single person. Rubin has been blind since birth, and spent years being told she'd never live on her own or hold a real job. Today, the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano performs around the world. She also founded her own jewelry line and camp for young musicians. Rubin joins us to talk about her book, "Do You Dream in Color?" and about navigating the opera world as a...
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Immigration Reform Takes Center Stage
President Obama is set to make a major speech on immigration reform Tuesday, one day after a bipartisan group of senators released a plan to overhaul the nation's immigration policy. President Obama has called immigration the top legislative priority for his second term, and he's not the only one. Republicans are also focusing on reform after losing the Latino vote by a large margin in the last election. We speak with a panel of immigration experts about this week's events. What does the...
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Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor made history in 2009 when she became the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court justice. In her memoir, "My Beloved World," Justice Sotomayor shares candid memories about growing up in a Puerto Rican household, and how a girl from the Bronx who struggled to write English essays eventually went on to top honors at Princeton University and Yale Law School.
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Dr. Robert Lustig's War on Sugar
Dr. Robert Lustig is waging a war on sugar. He calls sugar the culprit behind obesity, and wants the government to regulate sugar the way it does alcohol. But his ideas have stirred up controversy among his medical colleagues who say he has insufficient evidence linking sugar to obesity. Dr. Lustig joins us to talk about his new book, "Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease."
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