NPR 2/18

OK, gotta make this quick, since I am at work, and I have missed two days this week already. Listened to Morning Edition.

Listened to one more of the red state/blue state reports in the series that ME is doing. I love that they do series like this one. It puts things into a better context for analysis, and gives a much more thorough airing of both sides of a political story. For this one, they interviewed TIm Polenti (sp?), who is the republican gov of a blue state, MN. He has been having a terrible time with bi-partisan relationships, and republicans have lost seats in the legislature because of partisan fights over the budget. His hard line on education and taxes makes it hard to gain consensus. He has pledged not to raise taxes, and has been trying to cut funding for schools. His approval rating is around 56%. Unless he can keep up schools, he is doomed.

Well, it has happened, Class Actions will now be heard in Fed. courts. Sigh. I hate watching as our rights get slowly eroded in favor of corporations' rights. Sick.

Ah, it was bound to happen. NYC is in the running for the Olympics against Moscow, Paris, Madrid and London, and NPR reported on what the Big Apple is doing to prepare for a visit this weekend from the Olympic committee (IOC). The big question is whether or not NYC can handle the logistics -- how will people get around? And then there is the whole stadium issue.... hmmm. Another cliffhanger -- I guess we find out next week how the meeting goes....

Big story on movies with controversial endings like The Sea Inside and Million Dollar Baby. Brings up all kinds of issues about the disabled and assisted suicide. Will put more here about this later!