After four, Ben Merens welcomes listener perspectives on the top news stories of the week. Call in with Your Views On The News. YOUR VIEWS ON THE NEWS



"The Catcher in the Rye,""On the Road," "Catch 22," "The Feminine Mystique," ... What do all these books have in common? They all are baby boomer literature. Ben Merens' guest, after five, talks about baby boomers... and their books.
Guest:
Malcom Jones, reporter and culture writer for Newsweek. His article, "Our Books, Ouselves".
Capitol Steps April Fool's Special



It's no joke! The April Fool's special from the Capitol Steps is coming up at five-thirty. This musical troupe of former congressional staffers take bi-partisan jabs at politicians and current events

All eyes are on Iran as the country faces new U.N. sanctions, high-profile U.S. naval maneuvers in the Persian Gulf, and increasing pressure over captured British sailors. After four, the latest developments in Iran, on At Issue, with Ben Merens and his guest.
Guest:
Jim Robbins, senior fellow, The American Foreign Policy Council. Professor of international relations, National Defense University. Columnist, National Review Online.



After five, Ben Merens’ guest says there is a corrupt process through which “economic hit men” manipulate the global economy for the benefit of the corporate elite.
Guest:
Antonia Juhasz (YOU-hahs), analyst Oil Change International Co-author, “A Game As Old As Empire: The Secret World of Economic Hit Men and the Web of Global Corruption.” www.agameasoldasempire.com www.thebushagenda.net

Is there an author, or newsmaker, or an unusual topic you'd like to bring to the attention of your fellow listeners? Call Ben Merens to make your suggestion for future programs.
MARCH OPEN LINE


During this month’s Education Today, Ben Merens and his guests examine schools in suburban, metropolitan, and rural communities. What challenges do they have in common, and what issues are unique?
Guests:
- David Schmidt, superintendent, Waukesha Public Schools.
- William Andrekopoulos, superintendent, Milwaukee Public Schools.
- Michael Cox, district administrator, Hayward Community School District.

Special interest groups are making the race between Linda Clifford and Annette Ziegler for state Supreme Court an unusually heated and expensive campaign. Ben Merens’ guests discuss the race and suggest necessary reforms to keep an excess of money and politics out of judicial elections.

Guests: 4
:00 – Peter K. Rofes, professor of law, associate dean for academic affairs, Marquette University Law School
4:30 – Bert Brandenburg, executive director, Justice at Stake Campaign, Washington DC. His op-ed on State Supreme Court politics appears in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


Household incomes are dropping faster in Wisconsin than any other state. Ben Merens' guest says it’s not the economy, but a social and demographic shift that put Wisconsin at the bottom of the list.

Guest: Todd Berry, president, Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, a nonprofit nonpartisan research organization. www.wistax.org

Ben Merens talks with a Wisconsin theologian who has been denounced by the Catholic Church for his so-called “false teaching” on abortion, contraception, and same-sex marriage.

Guest: Dr. Daniel C. Maguire, professor of religious ethics and social justice at Marquette University. President of The Religious Consultation on Population, Reproductive Health and Ethics www.religiousconsultation.org



Ben Merens' guest explores how the overreaching of the American government is undermining the republic itself, both economicaly and politically.

Guest: Chalmers Johnson, president of the Japan Policy Research Institute. Author, "Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic" (Henry Holt)

A new report found that consumers in the Milwaukee area could save $149 a year on their cable television if the state would allow more competition for video service. After four, Peter Donalds will be joined by the author of the study, a media pundit, and a local politician, to examine the report and what more cable options would mean for Wisconsinites.
Guest:
4:05-4:15 Christian Schneider, a fellow at the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute. Author, The Benefit to Cable Competition in Wisconsin.
4:15-4:30 Representative Phil Montgomery, 04th Assembly District (Republican).
4:30-5 Dave Berkman, media pundit/political commentator. Former host, Media Talk, WPR.



After five, Peter Donalds talks with representatives of Amnesty International U-S-A, as members from across the country arrive in Wisconsin this week for their annual meeting. Guests:
5:00 - Jumana Musa, advocacy director for domestic human rights and international justice, Amnesty International USA.
5:30 - Scott Edwards, specialist on Sudan, Amnesty International USA. www.amnestyusa.org

Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said he will subpoena White House officials if they do not agree to testify about the U.S. attorneys scandal. Peter Donalds and his guest discuss executive privilege.
Guest:
Peter Shane, professor of law (specialty in separation of powers law), Ohio State University. Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Law and Policy Studies, Ohio State University.



Whether it’s an ad on TV, or a spouse steering the choice for a vacation, the forces of persuasion are always in play. Peter Donalds' guest tells how to push away unwanted pressures, and persuade others to our way of thinking.
Guest:
Jay Heinrichs, author, "Thank You For Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion" (Three Rivers Press).

Anti-war demonstrations around the globe and here in Wisconsin continue as this week marks the fourth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Peter Donalds’ guests make the case for peace.

Guests:
Paul Kawicka, program and political director, National Peace Action www.peace-action.org. Mr Kawicka returned last week from Iran where he visited as a delegate with Fellowship of Reconciliation www.forusa.org
George Martin, program director, Peace Action Wisconsin www.peaceactionwi.org



Each day, 30,000 children die of starvation and three billion people, half the world's population, live on less than two dollars a day. Peter Donalds’ guest says despite 2.3 trillion in aid from the West, little has changed in world poverty.

Guest:
William Easterly, professor of economics at New York University. Former senior economist, World Bank. Author, “The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good.”

Anti-war demonstrations around the globe and here in Wisconsin continue as this week marks the fourth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. Peter Donalds’ guests, after four, make the case for peace.
Guest: George Martin, program director, Peace Action Wisconsin www.peaceactionwi.org



Each day, 30,000 children die of starvation and 3 billion people, half the world's population, live on less than $2 a day. After five, Peter Donalds’ guest says that after $2.3 trillion in aid from the West, little has changed.
Guest: William Easterly, former senior economist, World Bank. He is a professor of economics at New York University. Author, “The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good”.

Today marks the four year anniversary of the war in Iraq. After four, Ben Merens and his guest examine the toll this war has had on the United States’ armed forces.
Guest: Donald Goldstein, Professor of Public and International Affairs and Military Historian, University of Pittsburgh.


For many women, there comes a time when they find themselves alone. Society often tells them how sad a time this is… but, after five, on At Issue, Ben Merens’ guest discusses the power of being alone.
Guest: Florence Falk, psychotherapist and teacher. Author, “On My Own: The Art of Being A Woman Alone.” www.florencefalk.com

What news story impacted you the most this week? It’s YOUR VIEWS ON THE NEWS with Ben Merens on At Issue. Listeners are welcome to call in and become media pundits for an hour. YOUR VIEWS ON THE NEWS


Ben Merens’ guest says the art of forgiveness can be practiced at home and globally, but people need to understand it's not a sign of weakness.
Guest: Mother Clare Watts, psychotherapist, co-director, Centers of Light. http://www.centersoflight.org/ Author, “Giving Birth To God: A Woman’s Path to Enlightenment.”

Democrats moved legislation setting a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal forward today, despite opposition from Republicans and a veto threat from the White House. After four, Ben Merens’ guest will discuss the issue.
Guest:
Jeffrey Addicott, Professor of Law and the Director of the Center for Terrorism Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio Texas. Active duty Army officer, Judge Advocate General’s Corps for twenty years (he retired in 2000 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel).

Brian Katulis (ka-TO-lis), Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress. Examines U.S. national security policy in Middle East and democratization, with a focus on Iraq.



After five, Ben Merens’ guest says the new, early Daylight Saving Time will not save energy for Americans... in fact, it’s just the opposite, and the oil companies and Congress know it.
Guest: Michael Downing, author, “Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time”.

Publicly calling homosexual behavior "immoral," General Peter Pace, America’s top military officer, re-ignited the national debate over the military’s “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. Ben Merens talks with two men at the heart of the debate.

Guests:
Marine Sergeant Brian Fricke, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)
Sharra Greer, director of law and policy, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network www.sldn.org Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Alva, retired


A new report blames hormones for teenagers’ sometimes erratic behavior. Ben Merens talks with the lead researcher, and with a pediatrician about helping teens through mood swings and other behavioral issues.
Guests:
Sheryl Smith, professor of physiology and pharmacology, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center.
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, associate professor of pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Author, “A Parent’s Guide to Building Resilience in Children and Teens.”

Ben Merens’ guest says the thwarted White House plan to fire all ninety-three US attorneys shows that reform is needed so Justice Department appointments are based on merit rather than politics.
Guest: Paul Rothstein, constitutional law professor, Georgetown University School of Law


Ben Merens' guest warns against the dangers of using weapons in space.
Guest: Helen Caldicott, co-founder, Physicians for Social Responsibility. President, Nuclear Policy Research Institute. Author, "War in Heaven: the Arms Race in Outer Space."

In the earliest campaign season ever, two more presidential hopefuls have entered the conversation – if not the race: Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, and politician/actor Fred Thompson. Ben Merens and his guest discuss the latest news from what some are calling the “invisible primary.”
Guest: John Orman, professor of politics, Fairfield University


Coverage of the Great Decisions Series continues, as Ben Merens and his guest discuss the politics, economy, and future of South Africa.
Guest: Coetzee Bester, executive director, African Institute for Leadership. Former Member of Parliament in South Africa. UW-Milwaukee’s Great Decisions Series: https://www3.uwm.edu/dept/cie/iwa/