Mar 19th, 2010 · President Obama and House Democrats gathered support for the health care bill that is expected to be voted upon Sunday. Meanwhile, U.S.-Israeli relations were tense this week after an Israeli announcement that it will build new homes in an East Jerusalem neighborhood. David Brooks of The New York Times and E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post offer their insight.
Mar 19th, 2010 · When Vladimir Lenin — leader of the Russian Revolution — died, Stalin hired two scientists to preserve his body. A new play called Lenin's Embalmers explores the story. Stuart Firestein and Vern Thiessen explain how the play brings together science, politics and, strangely enough, humor.
Mar 18th, 2010 · While a large number of nuns organizations have vocally supported the health care bill, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly opposes the it, arguing that it provides federal funding for abortions. Michael Sean Winters, who writes a daily political blog for America, the largest-circulation Catholic weekly magazine, sheds light on the clash.
Mar 18th, 2010 · The chief minister of India's most populous state came from humble origins, but Mayawati, as she is known, has not been shy about displaying her wealth. Recently, the show of opulence at a political rally — where she accepted a garland made entirely of money — seems to have gone too far, even by her standards.
Mar 18th, 2010 · Anthem Blue Cross of California has become central to the political debate over controlling and regulating health insurance companies. Critics say the company is an example of what happens when federal or state regulators don't or can't control them. California regulators have tangled with Blue Cross for decades but the company has had many reincarnations. From member station KQED, Sarah Varney reports.
Mar 18th, 2010 · Dagestan is one of the most violent regions of Russia, squeezed in between Chechyna and the Caspian Sea. It is known mostly for negative things: economic deprivation, violent politics and a simmering Islamist insurgency. But the people of Sulak are trying to stay out of the conflict.
Mar 16th, 2010 · The Supreme ruled in the case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that the government may not place limits on the political speech of corporations. In that spirit, Murray Hill Inc., a Silver Spring, Md., PR firm, is planning to run for Congress. Eric Hensal, the man behind the firm's tongue-in-cheek run for the Senate, offers his insight.
Mar 15th, 2010 · Political and civil rights trailblazer Juanita Goggins was discovered dead in her South Carolina home earlier this month. She froze to death at her home, alone. She was the first black woman to be elected to the South Carolina legislature. She was 75. Host Michel Martin remembers Goggins with columnist Andrew Dys of the Rock Hill, S.C. Herald.