July 24, 2008

Gays in the Military

Congress Wednesday held the first hearing on the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy since it was instituted 15 years ago. Some Democrats envision a major push to repeal the underlying law next year. A look at the policy's role in today's armed forces and shifting public and political views on gays on the military.

Paul Ehrlich: "The Dominant Animal" (Island Press)

Paul Ehrlick warned of a looming ecological crisis in his 1968 best-selling book, "The Population Bomb." Forty years later, he’s back with a new look at how the impact human evolution has had on the environment may threaten the survival of the species.

July 24, 2008

Agencies Battle Over Contaminated Land

The Pentagon and the Environmental Protection Agency are clashing, and Maryland's Fort Meade and Fort Detrick are near the center of the dispute. So who trumps whom when federal agencies fight? And why should you care? Kojo looks behind the headlines to find out what's going on, and whether the public should be concerned about the clean-up of contaminated military sites.

Reclaiming and Reviving Waterfront Space

The Washington region enjoys strategic access to a number of waterways. But for the people who live here, accessing that prime waterfront property is another matter. Join Kojo as we talk with Washington Post columnist and architect Roger K. Lewis about efforts underway to reclaim and revive the region's waterfront space, and how they compare to projects in other cities around the country.

Politics, Satire and Editorial Cartoons

Kevin "Kal" Kallaugher is probably best known as the editorial cartoonist for the Economist magazine. He's also pushing the boundaries of technology and political cartoons with new interactive animation projects. Kal joins Kojo to talk about politics and satire on the editorial page.

Wine Tips

It's a white wine that sends critics swooning -- yet it's relatively unknown to most American consumers. It's Riesling, one of the most versatile, refreshing wines out there. In our regular discussion with wine experts Paul Lukacs and Michael Franz, we explore why Riesling has yet to take off in this country, and why the wine industry seems to have such a hard time predicting which bottles will fly off the shelves and which will gather dust.

July 25, 2008

Obama in Jordan

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's visit to Europe and the Middle East this week garnered media scrutiny worldwide. After touring Afghanistan and Iraq with U.S. Senators Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed, Obama flew to Jordan for a meeting with King Abdullah II, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. Obama's visits to Iraq and Afghanistan were considered 'official visits' as a member of a bipartisan Congressional Delegation. But his trip to Jordan marked the first campaign stop as a presidential candidate. Amy Hybels reports in Amman, Jordan - and speaks with local observers and some former DC residents.

• "Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - July 24, 2008
• Maryland Smoking Ban Nears 6-Month Milestone
• First Defendant Sentenced in D.C. Tax Scandal
• Business Guaranteed for Port of Baltimore
• Task Force Focused on Foreclosures in Virginia
• Commentary: Fred Fiske - Obesity and the Airlines

More

• In Africa, No Coke Can Mean No Stability
• Sporting Fame Comes With Limits In China
• Scotland Election A Key Test For British PM Brown
• Obama Moves From Mideast To Europe
• Mortgage Market Working For Many Americans
• Congress Fast-Tracks Housing Rescue Bill

More

• Obama seeks stronger Europe ties
• Karzai 'impeding Afghan drug war'
• Mosley wins court case over orgy
• Libya 'halts Swiss oil shipments'
• Zimbabweans 'start crisis talks'
• Zuma 'shocked by white poverty'

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