Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'civic'

Mourning The Art Of Doing Nothing Together

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST

For years, academics have been worried about the loss of a collective American civic life. Columnist Gregory Rodriguez says civic life is even more important in dire economic times, and what Americans need now are places to gather and do nothing — without purpose or politics.

You Wanted Change... It's Time To Help

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST

Civic improvements are accomplished by individuals, not primarily in a "top down" manner. Why not ask — or at least ponder — what we can do to help?

Why I Vote

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

When we head to the polls, we bring much more than a registration card and a sense of civic duty. We bring the experiences we've developed throughout our lives. Meet three Tennessee residents who take very different paths to the voting booth. Matt Shafer Powell reports from member station WUOT in Knoxville.

Nagging Apathetic Friends All The Way To The Polls

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:10:00 EDT

Millions of people are planning not to cast their ballots on election day. Jeff Inglis, managing editor of the Portland Phoenix, says that convincing your friends to vote may be more of a civic triumph than going to the polls yourself.

Debate Parties Bring Diverse Neighbors Together

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:14:00 EDT

Writer Shawn Hubler has watched the 2008 presidential and vice presidential debates with a politically mixed group of neighbors. In The Los Angeles Times, she writes about her neighborhood's month-long civics experiment.

On Election Day, Use Extra Caution When Driving

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Voting is your civic duty, but be careful how you get to the polls. A new study suggests that there is an increased risk of car crashes on presidential voting days.

In 'Swing Vote,' A Civics Lesson, Hollywood Style

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:32:00 EDT

Just in time for the political conventions: a morally muddled attempt to pay Capra-esque tribute to America's democracy. Kevin Costner plays a 50-something buffoon with arrested development.

Honda Profits Defy Auto Industry's Struggle

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The automaker Honda has reported an 8-percent increase in profits, overcoming higher material costs and a stronger yen. North American plants are still operating near full capacity. The company has scaled back SUV and truck production and emphasized fuel-efficient Civics and Accords.

China Turns To More Modern Architecture

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:43:00 EDT

New civic and commercial buildings in Beijing are shying away from the historic Chinese architectural style in favor of modern influences from a slate of architects from around the world, and not everyone is thrilled with the new look.

Singer Undeterred by National Anthem Fallout

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Jazz singer Rene Marie's decision to sing, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," the so-called Black national anthem at a Denver civic event was met with overwhelming scorn. The songstress was invited to the event to sing the mainstream national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." Marie explains the fallout and why she doesn't regret her decision.

After Earthquake, Animal Lovers to the Rescue

Fri, 30 May 2008 16:02:00 EDT

The massive earthquake that hit China earlier this month has spurred many civic groups into action, including animal lovers. Chen Yunlian, who runs an animal shelter, has saved more than 70 cats and dogs from the quake zone with the help of volunteers.

HBO's 'The Wire' Bids Farewell

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:00:00 EST

HBO's award-winning show The Wire broadcasts its 60th and final episode on Sunday. The series chronicled life -- and death -- in Baltimore and focused on the failure of its major civic institutions, including the police, the school system and the news media.

Political Scientist: Does Diversity Really Work...

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:58:00 EDT

A study conducted by Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam suggests that diversity hurts civic life and differences can actually translate into distrust. The political scientist and author explains his findings on the flip-side of cultural diversity.

Citizenship Test Revamped, in Search for Meaning

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:00:00 EST

The immigration service today releases more than 140 draft questions for a new citizenship test. The questions will be given to new citizenship applicants in the the exam's civics portion, beginning in January. The government, which hopes to make the test more meaningful, has been working for several years to redesign the test.

Some People Can't Be Stopped from Voting

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 06:00:00 EST

If you have some excuse for not voting this week, don't tell it in front of Anna Urban. She is 95 and has been voting since the 1930s. And she didn't want to miss her chance to vote in Reading, Penn. So when she didn't have a ride to the polls, she dialed 911. Think of it as a civic emergency. Dispatchers forwarded her call to county election officials. And one of them drove by to pick her up.

Analyst: Iraq Issue May Force Party Realignment

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:17:00 EST

Voters around the nation are set to choose their representatives Tuesday. The selection process comes down to party loyalty, incumbents' performance and issues like the Iraq war. Thomas Patterson, of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, says there is no civics-book ideal, but one issue may tip the scale.

The Store Formerly Known as Marshall Fields

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 08:00:00 EDT

Parent company Federated Department Stores reopens Marshall Fields, Filene's and hundreds of other stores under one new name: Macy's. To many in Chicago, home of the landmark Marshall Fields department store, the name change is a blow to civic pride.

HUD Chief Jackson on African-American Summit

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:02:55 EST

Hundreds of prominent black civic and religious leaders converged on Washington, D.C., this week for the third-annual African American Leadership Summit. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson, the keynote speaker, tells Ed Gordon about the conference.

City Leaders Design a New Future for New Orleans

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 08:46:27 EST

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has released a report that lays out a plan to rebuild the city. The report and plan were produced by a special local commission made up of business, religious and civic leaders. The group looked at how best to redesign city government, restore public services and revitalize the region's economy.

Terror, Hope on the Streets of Compton, Part 2

Tue, 07 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST

The City of Compton has a reputation for being the epicenter of gang violence in Los Angeles. A two-part series looks at how Compton�s image affects civic life in the city -- and how some residents are overcoming that stereotype.

What Should an American Citizen Know...

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST

The U.S. government's Office of Citizenship wants to introduce a new citizenship test that is more than civics trivia. The changes would focus on what it means to be an American citizen. Experts and guests weigh in on the proposed changes and try their hand at questions from the current quiz.

Honda Pulls Off Double Win at Auto Show

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST

The North American International Auto show is under way in Detroit. For the first time, the winners of the car and truck of the year are from one automaker: Honda's Civic sedan and Ridgeline pickup.

Rebuilding Lives from a Mississippi Shelter

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 00:00:00 EST

Months after Hurricane Katrina hit, some along the Gulf Coast are still stranded in shelters. Mississippi residents who've been housed at the D'Iberville civic center are wondering why they've had to wait so long for help.

Hughes Promotes U.S. Image in Middle East

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Karen Hughes, the undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, is touring the Middle East and meeting with civic and political leaders. Her mission is an effort to improve the image of the United States in the region.

Palestinian Family Urges Courts, Not Tradition

Sun, 16 Jan 2005 00:00:00 EST

A family in the Gaza Strip has turned the murder of their son into a new civic movement that focuses on redressing grievances through the judicial system rather than family and clan ties. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.