NPR fires journalist Juan Williams for inappropriate comments on Fox News. Debating Prop 19 - should California legalize pot? How religion is reshaping America.
NPR fires commentator Juan Williams
News analyst Juan Williams was let go by NPR after comments he made on The O’Reilly Factor on Monday. In response to a question from Bill O’Reilly about whether Muslims present a national dilemma, Juan said "Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous." Williams was criticized for the remarks made on the Fox News Channel, and ultimately, NPR terminated his contract. What do you think? Was NPR right to fire Williams? Did he undermine his credibility as a journalist? Or was he simply expressing something many Americans feel right now? Larry talks about the controversy with NPR's Ombudsman and takes listener calls.
Guest:
Alicia Shepard,Ombudsman, NPR
Debating Prop 19 – should California legalize pot?
Roughly 40% of adults in America have admitted to toking up, at least once. Marijuana has become the largest cash crop in the country, a $35.8 billion industry in 2006, exceeding corn and wheat combined, $14 billion in California alone. That’s a lot of potential tax revenue, which supporters of Prop 19 say could help solve California’s budget crisis. Boosters also say legalizing weed would reduce crime and create much needed jobs. Opponents argue that Prop 19 would increase substance abuse, lead to more under the influence drivers and be a nightmare for police. If passed, California would be the first state to make marijuana legal for recreational use, setting the stage for a showdown with the Feds. Should California legalize pot? Or should voters just say no to Prop 19?
Guest:
James Rigdon, Field Director, Yes on Prop 19 Campaign
Kim Rainey, Police Chief for the City of Covina
How religion is reshaping America
It’s common wisdom that politics and religion should never be discussed in mixed company. In their new book, Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, and David Campbell take on both of these volatile subjects, forcing a head-on conversation. The book examines the changes in religious life in America over the past fifty years – the drop in formal observance, the rise of the Religious Right and the increasing number of interfaith marriages -- and how those changes have affected civic health. Drawing on comprehensive surveys of religion and public life, the authors examine the way they are intertwined, and go to the heart of the religious issues that roil our society.
Guest:
Robert Putnam, co-author with David Campbell of American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us