Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'democracy'

'Don't Stop' Sings Karaoke's Praises

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:34:24 EST

Journalist Brian Raftery says it's OK if you hate karaoke, but that doesn't mean he has to. He sees democracy in a bar packed with would-be singing stars crowded around a karaoke machine. In his book, Don't Stop Believin', he writes, "nights like these Â� forever changed my life."

Democracy... Bah! Americans Love Political Dynasty

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:52:00 EST

With Caroline Kennedy and Jeb Bush eyeing Senate seats, the pundit class is in a snit about attempts to ride the family name to Washington. But for all the disdain, familial dynasties have been a fixture of the U.S. political landscape since the first Congress.

Is Caroline Kennedy Ready To Serve... No

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:12:00 EST

Caroline Kennedy has never held public office. She's not associated with any particular political issue and has spent her entire life, "avoiding the spotlight." Nonetheless, Kennedy stands a good chance of going to the Senate. And that possibility reveals some unpleasant truths about American democracy.

Guns 'N' Roses' Album Hits Shelves — Finally

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:43:00 EST

Calling Chinese Democracy the "new" Guns 'n' Roses CD is a little misleading — bandleader Axl Rose has been working on many of these songs for years. Host Andrea Seabrook samples a few tracks from what has become the most expensive album ever recorded.

Asking Not What Their Country Can Do For Them

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:35:00 EST

A suggestion that Americans should look for their own ways to help their country, rather than wait for Barack Obama to ask, elicited many reactions from readers. "Call it idealistic crap if you want, but people want to be involved," one wrote. "We are not 'consumers' of democracy — we are the democracy," said another.

Was Guns N' Roses' 'Democracy' Worth The Wait...

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Fourteen torturous years in the making, at a reported cost of 14 million dollars, the latest album from Guns N' Roses' will finally come out on Nov. 23. As rock's answer to J.D. Salinger, Axl Rose kept Chinese Democracy under close wraps, but the anticipation outweighs the final product.

Poll Workers Prepare For Onslaught Of Voters

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Behind every ballot is a poll worker — democracy's unsung heroes. Two poll workers in Palm Beach County, Fla., Pamela Goodman and Eleanore Kresch talk about the responsibility.

Examining Democracy In Southeast Asia

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:57:00 EDT

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim majority country, and it has become Southeast Asia's most vibrant and healthy democracy. That might sound incredible to those who remember Indonesia as a police state run by the dictator Suharto. And despite problems such as terrorist bombings and the tsunami four years ago, Indonesia is clearly at the head of the democratic class.

New President To Redefine Democracy-Spreading

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:26:00 EDT

Spreading democracy worldwide may continue with the new president, but policies are likely to look different than they did under the Bush administration. Both candidates have close ties to international democracy-promoting organizations.

South Africa's ANC In Trouble

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:58:00 EDT

South Africa's ruling African National Congress is involved in an increasingly acrimonious split. The ANC is facing a growing number of dissidents who are on the verge of creating their own party. That is raising questions about the impact of the ANC's problems on the country's young democracy.

Officer Responds To 'Gutless Coward' Charge

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:09:00 EDT

A listener asks what gives America the right to "force democracy on people" in Iraq and calls the U.S. Armed Forces murderers. Capt. Rawlings reponds, "If you feel that we entered into this conflict unjustly and feel that we should not be here, then do all that you can to bring us home."

Website Tests Students' Ethical Boundaries

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:51:00 EDT

The Internet has given unprecedented access to information, but where do we draw the line? The Website Postyourtest.com invites users to share old college exams online. Is it cheating — or democracy?

N. African Anti-Terror Efforts Too Harsh, Critics Say

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:16:00 EDT

Fears that a North African wing of al-Qaida was emerging in the wake of 2003 attacks in Casablanca have largely failed to materialize, and countries such as Morocco have contained or subdued their Islamist threats. But some say the fight on terror has eroded civil rights and set back democracy efforts.

Pakistan Government Moves To Impeach Musharraf

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Pakistan's governing coalition says it's beginning proceedings to impeach President Pervez Musharraf. The coalition says he brought the country's economy to its knees and tried to block the transition to democracy. The move adds to pressure on Musharraf to resign, but there is no guarantee that the coalition can muster the votes needed for the impeachment to proceed.

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.

GOP Web Site Tries Participatory Democracy

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:40:00 EDT

Earlier this month, the Platform Committee for the Republican National Convention launched a Web site to bring participatory democracy to the platform-writing process. North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, one of the committee's co-chairs, talks about the process.

Remembering Nelson Mandela's Pivotal Moment

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT

When he stood up in a South African courtroom during his treason trial in 1964, Nelson Mandela declared that he was "prepared to die" for his cause. On Mandela's 90th birthday, we look back at that pivotal moment when he became a worldwide symbol of the struggle for freedom and democracy.

Italy's Berlusconi Urges Immunity For Top Officials

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

In Italy on Tuesday, opposition parties protested Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's efforts to pass legislation that would grant immunity from prosecution to the country's top four officials. That includes Berlusconi, who is being tried on corruption charges and is under investigation for bribery. The government insists the law is needed to allow the officials to serve without worries. But critics have warned that democracy is in trouble.

Behind South Korean Protests, Angst and Growth

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT

South Korea's highly organized street protest culture is capable of mobilizing tens of thousands of demonstrators at the drop of a hat. The culture is both the product of a rapidly maturing democracy and a sense of national crisis.

Leadership Split Threatens South African Democracy

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:33:00 EDT

For the first time since South Africa's black-led government came to power in 1994 with the end of apartheid, the country's leadership is divided. And many worry about the danger of gridlock in a young democracy.

Myanmar Extends Opposition Leader's Detention

Tue, 27 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Myanmar's military government has promised to ease restrictions on international aid groups seeking to assist the victims of Cyclone Nargis. But it appears that restrictions will remain on Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's most celebrated pro-democracy leader.

Government 2.0: Building an Online Democracy

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:21:00 EDT

Business strategist and author Don Tapscott explains how he is working to create government Web sites intended to get American citizens engaged in democracy. He says the Internet can make government more open, participatory and efficient — and maybe even smaller and cheaper, too.

Israel Turns 60

Wed, 14 May 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The country's leaders and citizens are debating the unsure future of the state on its anniversay, Can Israel ever find a way to forge peace with its Arab neighbors while also protecting its Jewish democracy?

Al Gore: 'Assault on Reason' Endangers Democracy

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:53:00 EDT

Al Gore made waves for his work raising awareness on climate-change issues. Another poisonous environment has captured his attention as well: a climate that threatens reasonable public discourse.

The Disquieting Resonance of 'The Quiet American'

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:08:00 EDT

Can we learn from our past mistakes? Pico Iyer finds modern meaning in Graham Greene's novel about a naive American who comes into a foreign place full of ideas of democracy, and how he will teach an ancient culture a better, American way of doing things.