KQED's Forum

Al' America

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:00:00 PST

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Jonathan Curiel joins us to discuss his new book, "Al' America: Travels Through America's Arab and Islamic Roots."

BART Police Shooting / The Crisis in the Congo

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:00 PST

On New Years Day, a BART policeman shot and killed an unarmed 22 year-old Hayward man. The shooting has prompted community outrage and a planned $25 million lawsuit by the Hayward man's family. In the first half hour, we discuss the incident and the role of BART police. In the second half hour, we examine the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ongoing conflict there has claimed more than 5.4 million lives in the past 10 years, and continues to take an estimated 45,000 lives every month. Rape is routinely used as a weapon of war.

Voices in a Mask

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:00:00 PST

We delve into the world of opera with local author Geoff Green. Green's collection of short stories, "Voices in a Mask," is based in part on conversations with artists and composers of opera, including Placido Domingo and the late Luciano Pavarotti.

State of the Unions

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:00:00 PST

Labor leaders are hoping that a more sympathetic president and Congress will make it easier for workers to organize. But will the economic downturn hinder their expansion plans? New York Times labor and workplace reporter Steven Greenhouse joins us to talk about the economy, the new administration and the state of the unions.

Uncharitable

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:00:00 PST

Dan Pallotta created the AIDS Rides and Breast Cancer 3-Day fundraising events that generated hundreds of millions of dollars for charity. Pallota's fundraising also led to criticism of his business practices. In his new book "Uncharitable," Pallota argues that non-profits face excessive restrictions that impede philanthropy.

Obama's Foreign Policy Challenges

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:00:00 PST

We look at some of the foreign policy challenges likely to face the new Obama administration in the coming year.

Philip Roth

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:00:00 PST

Celebrated author Philip Roth joins us in a pre-recorded conversation about his new novel, "Indignation." Set against the backdrop of the Korean War, "Indignation" tells the story of a good working-class New Jersey boy headed off to college in Ohio, and his relationship with an increasingly and overprotective neurotic father.

From the Archives: Studs Terkel and David Foster Wallace / Barack Obama

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:00:00 PST

Studs Terkel and David Foster Wallace were among the esteemed writers who passed away in 2008. In the first half hour, we present highlights of Michael Krasny's discussions with them. In the second half hour, we listen back to a 1995 interview with now president-elect Barack Obama conducted by KQED's Scott Shafer.

Futurist Paul Saffo

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:00:00 PST

What new technological developments will change our lives in the months and years ahead? This New Year's Eve, we talk with noted futurist and technology forecaster Paul Saffo. Saffo is consulting associate professor of engineering at Stanford University and a distinguished visiting scholar at Stanford Media X research network.

The Lipstick Effect

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

In tough times, economists point to a phenomenon they call 'the lipstick effect' -- consumers cut back on big ticket items, but continue to indulge in affordable luxuries like lipstick. What purchases are you cutting back on? We open the phone lines to find out how listeners are adjusting their spending habits.

Cuban Revolution

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:00:00 PST

January marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Today we take a look at the history and speculate about the future of Cuba and the Castro government.

New Laws for California in 2009

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

On January 1, scores of new state laws will go into effect. We discuss several of the new regulations, including a ban on text messaging while driving, new guidelines for pet stores and a zero tolerance law for those on probation who drive under the influence.

United Farm Workers and Progressive Politics

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:00:00 PST

In the 1960s and '70s, Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers mobilized Latinos and low-income workers into a pioneering, grassroots activism. As our guest Randy Shaw writes, they set the stage for later social movements from environmentalism to the Obama campaign. Shaw is the author of "Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century."

Conflict in Gaza

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

The Israeli military is carrying out strikes against Hamas in Gaza, where the conflict continues for a third day. We present analysis of the ongoing crisis as over 300 Palestinians have now been declared dead and rockets continue to rain on southern Israel.

The Science of Happiness

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:00:00 PST

As New Years' resolution season approaches, we talk with two leading psychological researchers about the science of human happiness.

Story Corps Project

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

In this rebroadcasted episode, we discuss the National Day of Listening, a day in which Americans were asked to spend an hour asking a loved one about their life. The day was conceived by Story Corps - a group that travels the country recording people interviewing their family members and friends. We'll spend the hour listening to stories recorded on those journeys and talking to Dave Isay, founder of Story Corps.

Junot Diaz

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:00:00 PST

In this rebroadcasted episode, first-time novelist Junot Diaz joins us to speak about his Pulitzer Prize winning "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao." Diaz writes of the immigrant experience from the perspective of the Dominican diaspora. Diaz is a professor of creative writing at MIT.

Christmas: A Candid History

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

Where did Christmas customs like tree decorating, stocking stuffing and gift-giving originate? Was St. Nick a real person? Holiday historian and professor of religious studies at Morningside College Bruce David Forbes joins the program to illuminate us on these traditions and discuss his book, "Christmas: A Candid History."

The Year in Movies

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:00:00 PST

We take a look back at some of the year's best films with a panel of critics.

Midnight Environmental Regulations

forum@kqed.org (KQED Public Radio) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

In these last days of the Bush Administration, the President has passed through new regulations that environmentalists say are devastating for endangered species and clean air and water. We take a look at these so-called "midnight regulations" and what Democrats may do to overturn them once President-elect Barack Obama takes office.