Very interesting conversation about a pivotal moment in U.S. history. This horrific fire fueled the first major domestic policy changes of 20th Century, all enacted during the New Deal. And until 9/11, this was the most devastating largescale NY City tragedy on record. It's timely for that reason and because of the current administration's attempts to retract so much of what the New Deal accomplished. That it's a phoner is unfortunate, despite being well-recorded, just because of the grating-ness of phone line recording. Vogel asks good questions and allows the author to fully answer without jumping in to move him along, and that's a good thing. sl

Good tidbit, might be used in a call-in show setting as a discussion point. The wrap-around is a bit formal for that though. Ending felt abrupt, with speaker doing his own back intro. -JA

This is a decent portrait of a hard-against-it juvenile in a special program, struggling with two distinct strains in his personality, the poet and the hooligan. We’re brought close enough to hope he makes it for his sake, though we’re not given enough background on his wrong-doings to hope he makes it for society’s. sl

Nice interstitial piece that gives us a break from the chaos of daily life by placing us next to two trees in communication. Good sound.

Fast-moving, well-narrated, lots of good voice clips and a general feeling of immediacy promise to bring this amazing historical event fully to life in future episodes. A timeless series, because always there are people struggling for equality.

A HILARIOUS and upfront profile . If ALL profiles could come in this diary-esque format, there's so much dimension. You get: a good determined writer story with plenty of personality, a tour of the publishing world, a persevering female/mother story and all of it spiced with the larger issue of immigration. If only there'd been a little more of her writing.
interesting editing - humorous, transparent weave between the narrator and protagonist.

Earnestly straightforward report on the paradox of a traditionally democratic Native American tribe's effort to be recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. sl

A throwback in more ways than one. Crumb's quirky expression and presence itself is from another era. When he speaks about the music he's not so much erudite as knowledgable out of pure and intense passion. The music (Crumb's personal collection) is wonderfully recherche, the format companionable. Excellent tribute for this official year of the blues and beyond. vm

Wonderful montage of one candidate going door to door: her thoughts, the voices of those who find her at their door, lovely music rivering beneath the voices. I have a particular fondness for non-narrated pieces that allow us to just feel and think and experience with only the subtle direction of the producer to guide us. This piece made me smile and think about how wonderful people are, and about how one-on-one, campaigning can be a deeply human activity. sl

Unusual and interesting angle on how
democracy is reflected in our social ways of being, about what kind of person democracy creates. It's great to hear the kids in a family talk about democracy at work in their personal context. This report feels more relaxed and personable than a standard NPR report, while feeling no less credible. I will definitely carry something away from this and at least in the immediate future, being looking at social interactions with this report in mind.
sl

This University of Michigan centered report provides a useful update on the current campus political scene. We hear about conservative activists, anti-war, affirmative action, etc. We hear from a small but well-spoken and diverse group of students. I would have liked to hear from a few more, but mostly because I was interested, not because there wasn't enough range. For those distant from campus life, or college kids, a reminder that student life can be about more than studying and consuming. sl

This is a revealing investigation into the actions of several corporations with close connections to Republican officials. It is a comprehensive indictment of successive Republican administrations, regarding their involvement with the former Iraqi regime and its oil resources. It offers a historical perspective to the current post-war situation in Iraq, and is packed full of information that would make your average democrat's blood boil. HW

refreshing voice - the premise of this series is a good one although not every one who answers the question can be likeable or engaging but this guy is real.
vm

good evergreen oasis.
Interesting mix of more current music with a vocal cadence of the past. Really thougtful. unusual but not overly - easy to hear in the middle of most live programming.

vm

The general lack of understanding North
Americans have of other cultures, and our current, oh, what is the right word? connection to the Middle East, makes this a very useful and compelling conversation. Sandip Roy's questions are perhaps different from those a woman would ask –– he concentrates on the politics, lands less heavily on women's issues, but his questions are thoughtful and stimulating. Azar is articulate, eloquent, and covers the women's ground she wants covered regardless of the question. And she has a lovely voice and laugh. Now I must read that book!

sl