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JusticeTalking Podcasts

PodcastDirectory / Variety / Public Radio
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award-winning radio that engages listeners in timely, refreshingly honest debates on the current legal battles that capture our nation's attention

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Neurolaw

Some lawyers are using brain scans showing defects to argue that their clients aren't responsible for criminal behavior. In recent years, this neuroscientific evidence has been increasingly used in our courtrooms. But some scientists argue that the imaging is still new and unreliable, while others question whether juries should be ruling on what counts as a "defective" brain. As neurolaw grows in influence, it could potentially revolutionize our notions of guilt and punishment as criminals ...

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The Right to a Jury Trial

The right to a trial by a jury is guaranteed to criminal defendants by the Sixth Amendment. The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial to federal civil cases such as car accidents, contract disputes between corporations, and most discrimination or employment disputes. But there are many questions about how the system works. Who shows up to serve? Is there racial or other bias in the selection process or in jury deliberations? Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we ...

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The Rights of the Mentally Ill

State laws permit the involuntary commitment of people suffering from mental illness if they are a danger to themselves or others. But how do these commitment laws work in practice? Do laws aimed at protecting patients' rights prevent people from getting the help they need? Are they violating patients' civil liberties? The law and the mentally ill on Justice Talking. KEYWORDS: mental illness; mentally ill; State laws permit the involuntary commitment of those suffering mental illness if the ...

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Bail Bondsmen, Bounty Hunters and Private Prisons

America's free enterprise system is at work in many aspects of the criminal justice system. Profit-making bail bondsmen who help defendants post the money needed for their freedom pending trial are common in the U.S. but virtually unheard of across the rest of the world. Bounty hunters lured by big payouts find criminals who have previously eluded the police. And private companies are building and operating prisons and detention facilities. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking wher ...

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The Law and Infectious Disease

The way in which governments and intergovernmental organizations like the World Health Organization and the United Nations respond to the potential spread of infectious disease is being debated across the globe. Public health measures intended to prevent the spread of epidemics from HIV/Aids to Avian Flu, MRSA to Tuberculosis raise many legal questions about privacy and civil liberties. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we explore how health officials manage the spread of in ...

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Regulation of the Entertainment Industry

The movie rating industry has initiated some reforms following charges by filmmakers that the system is arbitrary and unfair. But skeptics on both sides of the issue say troubling content in movies, television and music is not being handled appropriately. While some parent organizations say it's time for more regulation, filmmakers and others say the threat of censorship is all too real. On this edition of Justice Talking, join us for a look at regulating the entertainment industry. KEYWOR ...

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College Admissions

The college admissions process has changed significantly in recent years, particularly for students seeking to get into the nation's most elite universities. Should these schools' admissions policies favor athletes and children of alumni? Should low-income and minority students be a priority? Or should top schools only enroll the smartest and most academically accomplished? We also talk about the obstacles and misconceptions facing students who attend community college. Tune in to this edit ...

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Pornography and the First Amendment

The U.S. Supreme Court has struggled over the years to define where the First Amendment ends and obscenity begins. The pressure to answer that question is intensifying as pornography moves onto the Internet and as public concerns increase about child pornography. Several moves to regulate porn are testing the limits of the First Amendment. But the porn industry has some civil rights groups in its corner, arguing that there is a real risk the government will go too far. Join us on this editi ...

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Is There a Right to Health Care?

With health care at the top of the domestic policy agenda and the presidential candidates stumping on the issue all across the nation, Justice Talking takes a look at how health care is being handled, from Massachusetts to California. Why has a program that was meant to provide medical care to people in Third-World countries found an increasing need to set up emergency clinics in the United States? We'll also ask whether health care should be seen as a right in this country. KEYWORDS: healt ...

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Election Laws

In every election year, questions arise about the fairness of the voting process. This edition of Justice Talking will take a detailed look at some of the key issues: from the debate over requiring ID to cast a ballot to the controversy over electronic voting machines. Do these measures improve our election process or just make it more difficult for voters on Election Day? Election reform, this week on Justice Talking. KEYWORDS: elections, electoral votes, voting, voting machines, electroni ...

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The Tension Between Security and Liberty in the War on Terror

More than a dozen states are at loggerheads with the federal government over the warrantless wiretapping program. Strong divisions are formed over the question of offering immunity to the telecommunications industry for its role in the surveillance program. The nation is also immersed in a debate over the definition and use of torture. This edition of Justice Talking explores the struggle to maintain security while preserving liberties. KEYWORDS: FISA; wiretapping; first amendment; fourth a ...

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Marijuana Laws

Several years ago Chicago Mayor Richard Daley made headlines as he pushed to ease the penalties for use of small amounts of marijuana. He advocated fining offenders $250 to $1,000 rather than imposing jail terms. Although it remains a federal crime to use the drug, several states have decriminalized possession in small amounts and more and more states are passing laws legalizing its use for medical purposes. Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we discuss marijuana laws in the Uni ...

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Innovations in Policing

As murder rates increase in a number of large cities, police are implementing a host of new measures aimed at reducing crime: cameras in high-crime areas, automatic scanners that run ID checks on every automobile that passes by a police cruiser, stop-and-frisk policies and door-to-door "consent" searches for weapons. This edition of Justice Talking will ask whether the new technologies and methods are effective and fair. Do they unfairly discriminate against poor African-American families? ...

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Are Current Water Policies Leaving Us High and Dry?

An unprecedented drought throughout the nation's Southeast has forced some of the region's largest cities to declare water emergencies. Western states have been dealing with similar water shortages for a much longer time. But what can policy-makers do when increasing populations, development and global warming place undue strains on an area's water supply, especially when current law is antiquated, complicated and varies from state to state? Tune in to this week's Justice Talking for a look ...

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Employment Discrimination Post-Ledbetter

Last term, in , the U.S. Supreme Court decided that women who sue for pay discrimination must file a claim against their employers within 180 days of the first time the pay disparity occurs, even if the discriminatory treatment continues for years thereafter. Employment rights advocates fear that this procedural hurdle may make it nearly impossible for victims of discrimination to seek redress. Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we look at sex discrimination in the workplace. We ...

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Immigration and Policy

The issue of immigration has been a flashpoint in the Presidential debates. Border fences, identification for illegal immigrants, and other reforms have all been debated. And Mitt Romney has been in the hot seat because some say he didn't act fast enough when he found out illegal persons were cutting his grass. All of these issues raise important questions about U.S. immigration policies, particularly the current crack-down on hiring illegal workers. What happens to workers caught working w ...

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The FCC's New Rules for Media Ownership

In mid-December, the Federal Communications Commission approved new rules that affect ownership of the nation's media companies. One rule change gave newspaper owners more leeway to buy radio and television stations in their markets. On this edition of Justice Talking, we'll explore the effect of this new rule and ask whom it will benefit, if it's fair and if it will survive a challenge in the courts. We'll also look at other ways in which FCC rules affect everything from what we see and he ...

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Neurolaw

Some lawyers are using brain scans showing defects to argue that their clients aren't responsible for criminal behavior. In recent years, this neuroscientific evidence has been increasingly used in our courtrooms. But some scientists argue that the imaging is still new and unreliable, while others question whether juries should be ruling on what counts as a "defective" brain. As neurolaw grows in influence, it could potentially revolutionize our notions of guilt and punishment as criminals ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


The Rights of the Mentally Ill

State laws permit the involuntary commitment of people suffering from mental illness if they are a danger to themselves or others. But how do these commitment laws work in practice? Do laws aimed at protecting patients' rights prevent people from getting the help they need? Are they violating their civil liberties? The law and the mentally ill, this week on Justice Talking. KEYWORDS: mental illness; mentally ill; State laws permit the involuntary commitment of those suffering mental illness ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


Abstinence-Only Education

Federal and state funding programs provide local groups with millions of dollars for "abstinence-only-until-marriage" education programs that are hailed by some as the best way to keep teenagers from having sex and to stop teen pregnancy. But increasingly, state administrators are balking at accepting these dollars, concerned that this is a one-sided approach to sexuality education that fails to give teens medically appropriate information about birth control, prevention of STDs and the opt ...

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Juvenile Justice

In 1967, 15-year-old Gerald Gault was sentenced to six years in prison for making a lewd phone call, without written notice of the charges, witnesses, or an attorney. In its landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juveniles accused of crimes have the right to due process protections under the 14th Amendment, including the right to an attorney. But today in some parts of the country a disturbing number of juveniles waive their right to an attorney, leading some to argue that the ...

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Pornography and the First Amendment

The U.S. Supreme Court has struggled over the years to define where the First Amendment ends and obscenity begins. The pressure to answer that question is intensifying as pornography moves onto the Internet and as public concerns increase about child pornography. Several moves to regulate porn are testing the limits of the First Amendment. But the porn industry has some civil rights groups in its corner, arguing that there is a real risk the government will go too far. Join us on this editi ...

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Race and the Justice System

Several high-profile court cases around the country are raising racial tensions. Some human rights organizations say the example of the Jena 6, the story of Martin Lee Anderson and other cases show how a range of policies are working together to unfairly channel black men and boys into the criminal justice system at younger ages and for minor offenses. But some say there's a lot of gray in between the black and white of race and justice in America. Join us for this edition of Justice Talkin ...

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Political Speech in the Race for President

The presidential election is less than a year away and a Supreme Court ruling could change the kinds of advertisements we see and hear in the days running up to an election. Also, some are questioning whether reporters need a law to protect them from being forced to reveal their sources. On this edition of Justice Talking: how the First Amendment affects political campaigns, blogs, corporations and journalists. Parts of this program were taped in front of an audience at the annual conventio ...

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The Cuban Embargo

With 81-year-old Fidel Castro temporarily turning over power to his brother Ra?l, many countries around the world are reevaluating their policies toward Cuba. The United Nations General Assembly voted for the 16th year in a row to end the embargo, but President Bush is not budging. Would engagement reward what President Bush has called a "cruel dictatorship" without any tangible proof that changes are likely to occur? Or is now is the time to lift the trade embargo and throw a lifeline to t ...

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College Admissions

The college admissions process has changed significantly in recent years, particularly for students seeking to get into the nation's most elite universities. Should these schools' admissions policies favor athletes and children of alumni? Should low-income and minority students be a priority? Or should top schools only enroll the smartest and most academically accomplished? We also talk about the obstacles and misconceptions facing students who attend community college. Tune in to this edit ...

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Fixing the Mortgage Mess

Many Americans' dream of homeownership has been lost as the subprime mortgage crisis has forced them to face foreclosure. Others ready to buy or refinance a home are finding fewer financing options as lenders are shutting their doors or laying off thousands of employees. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we look at the current mortgage mess and ask how business and government should respond. KEYWORDS: mortgage; sub-prime; citi-bank; merril; foreclosure; bankruptcy; housing bubbl ...

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Drinking and Driving

At the urging of victims' rights groups, state legislatures have enacted laws that impose new consequences for those convicted of drunk driving, from increased jail time to special markers on license plates or publication of convictions on the Web. Other states are considering laws that would require all first-time offenders to install breathalyzers in their cars. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we look at drunk-driving laws. Do these measures reduce accidents and save lives o ...

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The Women's Equality Amendment

"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." This simple addition to the Constitution -- then known as the Equal Rights Amendment -- was never adopted despite passage by Congress in 1971 and ratification by 35 state legislatures--three short of the 38 necessary for its adoption. Each term since the ERA's defeat, members of Congress have reintroduced the measure, this year renamed the Women's Equality Amendment. Tu ...

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Employment Discrimination

This past spring, in , the U.S. Supreme Court decided that women who sue for pay discrimination must file a claim against their employers within 180 days of the first time the pay disparity occurs, even if the discriminatory treatment continues for years thereafter. Employment rights advocates fear that this procedural hurdle may make it nearly impossible for victims of discrimination to seek redress. Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we look at sex discrimination in the workpl ...

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On the Docket

The Supreme Court opened its doors for new cases on October 1st. The Justices will tackle voter identification, lethal injection, sentencing laws and age discrimination. And the debate over the rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay returns to the high court. Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we take a look at the coming term--the cases on the docket, the climate in the courtroom, and what it will all mean for you. KEYWORDS: U.S. Supreme Court; SCOTUS; docket;

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The Future of the Postal Service

In business since 1775 by decree of the Second Continental Congress, the U.S. Postal Service is one of the most trusted branches of the federal government. It delivers more than 700 million pieces of mail each day and delivers to almost two million new addresses each year. But first class mail is down and email is up. Will the postal service be able to sustain its mission of universal service in the 21st century? On this edition of Justice Talking we take a look at the future of the postal ...

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Marijuana Laws

Several years ago Chicago Mayor Richard Daley made headlines as he pushed to ease the penalties for use of small amounts of marijuana. He advocated fining offenders $250 to $1,000 rather than imposing jail terms. Although it remains a federal crime to use the drug, several states have decriminalized possession in small amounts and more and more states are passing laws legalizing its use for medical purposes. Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we discuss marijuana laws in the Uni ...

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Do Our Fighting Men and Women Have a Right to Free Speech?

When a solider joins the armed forces, he or she agrees to abide by military law -- these rules and regulations are meant to ensure good order and discipline in the military. But what about when it comes to free speech? By putting on a uniform, does a soldier surrender his or her First Amendment rights? Today more and more soldiers are posting their thoughts and feelings in online diaries or blogs, but military officials are beginning to worry that sensitive information could make its way o ...

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Revisiting New Orleans

Two years after the largest natural disaster in U.S. history, New Orleans has been forced to redevelop neighborhoods, schools and most of its urban infrastructure. But what has happened to the city's criminal justice system? Join us on this edition of Justice Talking for a detailed look at how Hurricane Katrina has affected police practices, the state and federal court systems, jails and alternative sentencing plans, and what the changes mean for citizens of and visitors to this famous city ...

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The Death Penalty

First used in Texas in 1982, lethal injection is the method of execution now authorized in 37 of the 38 states that have the death penalty. But the recent botched execution of Angel Nieves Diaz in Florida raises new questions of whether the method violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we take a new look at capital punishment and ask age-old questions about whether the death penalty is appropriate retri ...

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Have Health Officials Become the Diet Police?

Health officials recently voted to make the Big Apple the nation's first city to ban artery-clogging trans fats at restaurants and many other cities are considering similar measures. At the same time, officials are banning soda and snack machines in schools and forcing restaurants to list the calorie content of each item on their menus. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we discuss whether these measures are effective ways to overcome the epidemic of obesity or proof that Big Bro ...

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School Violence

In 2006, the shooting at Virginia Tech put the spotlight on violence at colleges and universities, and a shooting in an Amish community near Lancaster, Pa., pointed out that school violence can occur anywhere in the nation, from inner city high schools to suburban or rural elementary schools. But will lockdowns, random searches and metal detectors make students safer? And do programs to reduce bullying really work? Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we take a look at the ways pol ...

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Rights of the Mentally Ill

State laws permit the involuntary commitment of people suffering mental illness if they are a danger to themselves or others. But how do these commitment laws work in practice? Do laws aimed at protecting patients' rights prevent those people from getting the help they need? Are they violating their civil liberties? The law and the mentally ill, this week on Justice Talking. KEYWORDS: mental illness; mentally ill; State laws permit the involuntary commitment of those suffering mental illnes ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


The Cuban Embargo

With 80-year-old Fidel Castro temporarily turning over power to his brother Raul, many countries around the world--including the U.S.--are reevaluating their policies toward Cuba. Is now the time to lift the trade embargo and throw a lifeline to the people of Cuba who are suffering economically? Or will engagement reward what President Bush has called a "cruel dictatorship" without any tangible proof that changes are likely to occur? Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we take a ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


Can We End Homelessness in 10 Years?

President Bush has made a commitment to end chronic homelessness in 10 years. Many cities around the country have also taken on this goal. But is it really possible? And what's the best way to do it? This week on Justice Talking, we'll look at who the homeless are in America. We'll talk about the effects of homelessness on children, the challenges of providing health care to the homeless and the merits of a program called Housing First, which puts chronically homeless people into apartments ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


Food Safety

Recent headlines over tainted California spinach and e-coli contamination at Taco Bell restaurants have raised many questions about the safety of America's food supply. With an alphabet soup of federal, state and local agencies regulating food safety from the farm to the table, most Americans presume that their food isn't dangerous. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we ask what must be done to keep the food supply safe. KEYWORDS: genetically modified foods; gm; contamination; t ...

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Highlights of the Supreme Court Term

In its first full term, the Roberts Court issued a number of blockbuster decisions on race and public schools, free speech, and abortion. In this special edition of Justice Talking, taped before a studio audience at the National Constitution Center, Supreme Court reporter for ABC News Jan Crawford Greenburg, Notre Dame's Richard Garnett and University of Chicago's Geoffrey Stone analyze the significant decisions of this term and tell us how the addition of two conservative Justices has affe ...

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Abstinence-Only Education

Federal and state funding programs provide local groups with millions of dollars for "abstinence-only-until-marriage" education programs that are hailed by some as the best way to keep teenagers from having sex and to stop teen pregnancy. But increasingly, state administrators are balking at accepting these dollars, concerned that this is a one-sided approach to sexuality education that fails to give teens medically appropriate information about birth control, prevention of STDs and the opt ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


The HPV Vaccine

Nearly half of the states are now considering laws that would require girls entering sixth grade to be vaccinated against the cervical cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV). The move raises important questions about the best way to encourage the use of a vaccine that has the potential of reducing cervical cancer. Will immunizing girls lead to more premarital sex as some parents and conservative groups fear? Should the vaccine's manufacturer who has a financial stake in widespread use of ...

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International Adoptions

Madonna's adoption of a child from Malawi and the controversy it generated grabbed headlines. But what about the average person? For them it's becoming more difficult to adopt children from China, Russia and Guatemala. By 2008, the U.S. will join the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, an international treaty that will govern the adoption process across national boundaries. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we look at international adoptions: how this new treaty will affe ...

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The Right to Bear Arms

A recent federal appeals court ruling that invalidated a Washington, D.C. ban on gun ownership raises important issues over the meaning of the Second Amendment. Throughout history, legal theorists have split on whether the Second Amendment protects the rights of individuals to own guns or only the right to establish armed militias. But now some liberals are unexpectedly supporting the view that individuals have a constitutional right to own and use guns, and that gun control laws may be unc ...

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The Women's Equality Amendment

"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." This simple addition to the Constitution then known as the Equal Rights Amendment was never adopted despite passage by Congress in 1971 and ratification by 35 state legislatures--three short of the 38 necessary for its adoption. Each term since the ERA's defeat, members of Congress have reintroduced the measure, this year renamed the Women's Equality Amendment. Tune in ...

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Is Crystal Meth the New Crack?

Crystal methamphetamine has been getting a lot of media and political attention in the last few years. In March 2006 President Bush signed the Combat Meth Act, which requires cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine be put behind the pharmacy counter because they can be turned into meth. States are using creative tools like building meth prisons. Others are waging shock-and-awe prevention campaigns. But is meth a national epidemic or a regional problem? Join us on this edition of Justice T ...

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Drinking and Driving

At the urging of victims' rights groups, state legislatures have enacted laws that impose new consequences for those convicted of drunk driving, from increased jail time to special markers on license plates or publication of convictions on the Web. Other states are considering laws that would require all first-time offenders to install breathalyzers in their cars. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we look at drunk-driving laws. Do these measures reduce accidents and save lives o ...

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Presidential Primaries

Iowa and New Hampshire are losing their lock on being the first states in the nation to decide the major party candidates for president. California, Oregon and Montana have moved their primaries to February 5th and other states are hoping to either join these states on that date or weigh in with their votes earlier in the process. What effect will early primaries have on the 2008 presidential race? Will well-funded candidates who can afford to campaign on television in many states at one ti ...

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No Child Left Behind

Congressional reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind law in 2007 raises a number of questions about whether this controversial federal law has improved education or unfairly tagged poor urban schools as failures. Does vigorous testing make teachers more accountable and ensure adoption of good curricula or has "teaching to the test" replaced reliable programs that encourage critical thinking? Has limited funding for education coupled with new requirements only exacerbated the difficulti ...

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Does Free Speech Stop at the Schoolhouse Door?

Should a high school student have a right to hang a banner saying "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" without fear of disciplinary action? That's the question in Morse v. Frederick, a case argued recently in the Supreme Court that addresses whether school administrators can limit what is said both in school buildings and outside at school-sponsored events. And should the rules change if school authorities are trying to preserve order or ensure a singular message on the use of drugs? From school dress code ...

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Can We End Homelessness in Ten Years?

President Bush has made a commitment to end chronic homelessness in ten years. Many cities around the country have also taken on this goal. But is it really possible? And what's the best way to do it? This week on Justice Talking, we'll look at who the homeless are in America. We'll talk about the effects of homelessness on children, the challenges of providing health care to the homeless and the merits of a program called Housing First, which puts chronically homeless people into apartment ...

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Going Into Debt

Skyrocketing medical bills, housing prices and college tuition, along with stagnant incomes, are causing more Americans to go into debt. And they are staying in debt longer. On this edition of Justice Talking, we'll look at how credit cards became big business, the legality of lending practices, and restrictions on student loans. We'll also examine the increasing popularity of payday loans and get some tips about how to get out of debt. KEYWORDS: debt, credit, lending, predatory lending, h ...

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Should Dying Patients Have A Right To Use Experimental Drugs?

Should patients who are seriously ill or dying have the legal right to try drugs that haven't yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration? Last December the FDA proposed new guidelines that would allow access to experimental treatments on a case-by-case basis. But some health care professionals fear that access to drugs that are not yet proven safe is dangerous, unethical and disastrous for the drug approval process. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we ask who sh ...

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Tax Reform

According to the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform, Americans spent billions of dollars on tax preparation and 3.5 billion hours doing their taxes last year. It's a system so confusing that some estimate two million taxpayers paid more than they owed. Others say many provisions exist only to reward particular industries or special interest groups. It's tax season once again so join us on Justice Talking as we take a look at U.S. tax policy and ask whether Congress ought to ad ...

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Excessive Force

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court considered whether the Constitution permits police to use deadly force to stop a fleeing motorist for speeding and reckless driving. Although the case centers on high speed chases, the case raises larger issues about when police can and should use deadly force and whether racial discrimination taints police judgments. Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we look at police policies and practice. KEYWORDS: deadly forece; excessive force; police b ...

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The Death Penalty

First used in Texas in 1982, lethal injection is the method of execution now authorized in 37 of the 38 states that have the death penalty. But the recent botched execution of Angel Nieves Diaz in Florida raises new questions of whether the method violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we take a new look at capital punishment and ask age-old questions about whether the death penalty is appropriate retri ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


Food Safety

Recent headlines over tainted California spinach and e-coli contamination at Taco Bell restaurants have raised many questions about the safety of America's food supply. With an alphabet soup of federal, state and local agencies regulating food safety from the farm to the table, most Americans presume that their food isn't dangerous. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we ask what must be done to keep the food supply safe. KEYWORDS: genetically modified foods; gm; contamination; t ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


Casino Gambling:

Casino gambling has undergone a boom in recent years as cash-strapped states and Native American tribes have opened casinos and entertainment complexes across the nation. In this edition of Justice Talking, we'll take a look at who is profiting from these developments. Will casino gambling raise the state revenues that have been promised? How will gambling affect local neighborhoods and gamblers? Tune in this week as we look at whether casinos are a win or loss for communities. KEYWORDS: Ca ...

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International Adoptions

Madonna's adoption of a child from Malawi and the controversy that generated grabbed headlines. But what about the average person? For them it's becoming more difficult to adopt children from China, Russia and Guatemala. By 2008, the U.S. will join the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, an international treaty which will govern the adoption process across national boundaries. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we look at international adoptions: how this new treaty will a ...

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Trash Management and Recycling

With the nation's landfills reaching capacity, state and local governments are adopting new strategies to deal with solid and hazardous waste, from stepped-up recycling programs to exporting trash to foreign countries. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we take a fresh look at trash management and recycling programs and ask whether governments are cleaning up the problem or if their efforts are just one big waste. KEYWORDS: trash, refuse, waste disposal, landfills, recycling, whe ...

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Family Farms and Agricultural Subsidies

Over the next decade, Congress is likely to set international trade and environmental policies that dramatically affect the U.S. agricultural industry and is poised to authorize at least $171 billion in farm subsidies. But many questions arise about who gets these governmental bailouts--the small family farmer or large agribusinesses run by Fortune 500 companies. Should taxpayers be subsidizing farming at all or should world markets control food production? Join us on this edition of Jus ...

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Homeownership and Low-Income Housing

Homeownership in America is at an all-time high. Nearly 70 percent of Americans now own their homes. But the increase in home purchasing has been mostly by upper-income families. Low and moderate-income families with children are less likely to own a home now than they were in the 1970s. In recent years, government aid for housing has also changed significantly. High-rise public housing projects have given way to new approaches where low-income residents are provided vouchers for the priv ...

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The Future of the Oceans

Oceans are losing fish populations at a dramatic rate and entire species of plant and marine life are disappearing, according to a new study in the journal Science. By 2050, oceans may be so endangered that they will no longer be able to provide fish for food or water quality adequate to sustain a diverse ecology. Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we look at the laws and treaties that protect the oceans and ask whether we are doing enough to safeguard these habitats. KEYWORDS: ...

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School Violence

The school shooting in an Amish community near Lancaster, Pennsylvania points out that school violence can occur anywhere in the nation, from inner city neighborhoods to suburban or rural schools. But will lock-downs, random searches and metal detectors make students safer? And do programs to reduce bullying really work? Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we take a look at the ways policymakers and educators are trying to prevent school violence. KEYWORDS: columbine, bully, bull ...

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Protecting People and Their Pets

A recent court order sentencing a cat to house arrest after it mauled at least six neighbors raises questions about how the law tries to safeguard public safety and mediate disputes when pets get out of control. Should communities ban pit bulls or venomous snakes? How about pet sheep, pigs and poultry? Can government force pet owners to use dog runs or keep their animals on leashes? Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we look at pets and the law and ask whether new laws are n ...

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Race and Public School Assignments

Can race be a factor in deciding which public schools students will attend? That's the main issue in two cases from Seattle, Washington and Louisville, Kentucky being heard in the U.S. Supreme Court this term. Although the programs differ, each school board is accused of discrimination for setting numerical targets for minority enrollment in order to maintain racial diversity in their schools. Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we take a detailed look at how school districts ...

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Organized Crime in the 21st Century

Most Americans may think of the Godfather or Tony Soprano when asked about organized crime. But in the last 20 years, organized crime has become a truly international phenomenon. Through corruption, blackmail and intimidation, they are evading national and international law enforcement. On this edition of Justice Talking, we will take a look at organized crime and examine whether the current law enforcement tools have kept pace with the 21st century mob. KEYWORDS: mafia, organized crim ...

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The Power of One: Are Singles Getting a Fair Shake?

With policymakers focusing on ways to promote marriage and encourage couples to stay together, including tax breaks, special programs and resources, and stricter divorce laws, some are asking whether government is slighting the 95 million unmarried employees, taxpayers, consumers and voters who represent nearly half of American households. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we focus on the rights of singles in a world obsessed with marriage. Should saying "I do" give you privi ...

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"O, Christmas Tree": Religion in the Public Square

With every holiday season, communities across the nation pull out their holiday decorations: trees, cr?ches, Christmas lights and Hanukah menorahs. Christmas concerts, parades and plays are scheduled at schools and at community centers, some with local clergy leading "non-denominational" prayers. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we talk about freedom of religion and the wall of separation between church and state. How far can government go to limit holiday celebrations? KE ...

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Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming

Concerns about global warming and greenhouse gas emissions are nothing new to environmentalists who have long sought to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. But the EPA and other federal policymakers have been slow to jump into the battle, arguing that a causal link between greenhouse gas emissions and global warming cannot be clearly established. Now 11 states are forcing the issue in a case against the EPA; the U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to resolve whether greenhouse ...

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Presidential Signing Statements

Presidents have long used signing statements to add their views on legislation they dislike but won't veto. President Nixon used them to point out excessive expenditures in spending bills. President Carter used them to make sure that Congress did not encroach on executive duties established by the Constitution. But President George W. Bush has used them more frequently than any other president, over 700 times since taking office. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking when we look a ...

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Collecting DNA from the Accused

In recent years over half the states have passed laws that require convicted felons and some convicted of misdemeanors to give DNA samples to law enforcement authorities. As a result, even those convicted of petty crimes such as shoplifting or loitering must give samples just as murderers and arsonists do. But now New York State wants to require all criminals to give DNA samples and other states, such as Kansas and California, want to go even further by sampling people who are arrested, bu ...

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Is Crystal Meth the New Crack?

Crystal methamphetamine has been getting a lot of media and political attention in the last few years, with the Combat Meth Act signed by President Bush in March 2006 adding to the focus. This new federal law requires cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine be put behind the pharmacy counter because those medications can be turned into meth. States are using creative tools like building meth prisons while others are waging shock-and-awe prevention campaigns. But is meth a national epidemi ...

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An Update on Tobacco Litigation

Fifty years ago the first lawsuits against big tobacco were filed. While it's been nearly eight years since the landmark settlement between tobacco companies and the states, litigation continues in both federal and state courts about the hazards of smoking. This term the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether courts may impose a large damage award against Philip Morris in order to punish it for hiding the dangers of cigarettes. And state courts are deciding whether the marketing of "light" ...

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Wind Power

The high price of gasoline and the international furor over global warming have pushed policymakers to look at alternative sources of energy that can reduce costs and alleviate U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Residents of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket have been polarized by proposals for wind farms in the waters around the Massachusetts coast. A proposal to place 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound has the support of some business leaders and environmentalists, but others worry ...

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Going Into Debt

Skyrocketing medical bills, housing prices and college tuition, along with stagnant incomes, are causing more Americans to go into debt. And they are staying in debt longer. On this edition of Justice Talking, we'll look at how the legal system treats those who can't afford to pay their bills. We'll also examine efforts to curtail payday loans and predatory lending practices, restrictions on student loans, and changes to the bankruptcy laws. KEYWORDS: debt, credit, lending, predatory lend ...

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Alleviating World Poverty

Half the world--nearly three billion people--live on less than two dollars a day. One billion children--one half of the world's children--live in poverty. Over 10 million children died in 2003 before they reached the age of five. Hundreds of millions of people live without adequate shelter and no access to safe water or health services. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we look at the host of U.S. policies aimed at alleviating poverty, from international aid to food programs. K ...

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Nuclear Disarmament

With North Korea threatening to test new intercontinental nuclear missiles and Iran continuing to build its nuclear program, many fear that nuclear technology in new hands will change the balance of power around the world. What are U.S. strategies to reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation and are they working? Join Justice Talking for a look at the effect of nuclear weapons on international law and peace. KEYWORDS: atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, nuclear weapons, nuclear disarmament, MAD, ...

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Nuclear Power

Is nuclear energy the best bet for eliminating the world's dependence on oil and diminishing the negative effects of global warming? Or will building new nuclear power plants create ready targets for terrorists and raise new questions about operational safety and storage of nuclear waste? The pros and cons of nuclear power, on this edition of Justice Talking. KEYWORDS: electricity, nuclear power, nuclear energy, fission, fusion, reactor, melt-down, nuclear waste, atomic waste, three-mile ...

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Trash Management and Recycling

With the nation's landfills reaching capacity, state and local governments are adopting new strategies to deal with solid and hazardous waste, from stepped-up recycling programs to exporting trash to foreign countries. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we take a fresh look at trash management and recycling programs and ask whether governments are cleaning up the problem or if their efforts are just one big waste. KEYWORDS: trash, refuse, waste disposal, landfills, recycling, whe ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


The Roberts Court

Each July, in cooperation with the National Constitution Center, Justice Talking asks constitutional experts to review the highlights of the Supreme Court's term. This year, with the appointments of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, the Court has undergone its most significant changes in over a decade. Join us as our distinguished panel helps us understand how the new justices will change the balance on key issues like executive power, states' rights, abortion and gay r ...

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The Power of One: Are Singles Getting a Fair Shake?

With policymakers focusing on ways to promote marriage and encourage couples to stay together, including tax breaks, special programs and resources, and stricter divorce laws, some are asking whether government is slighting the 95 million unmarried employees, taxpayers, consumers and voters who represent nearly half of American households. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we focus on the rights of singles in a world obsessed with marriage. Should saying "I do" give you privi ...

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Federal Election Reform

Elections are the heart of democracy. It is the way "we the people" choose our leaders and hold them accountable. But since the November 2000 elections when flawed voter registration lists, obsolete voting machines, and poorly designed ballots marred the electoral process, public confidence in our voting system has declined. Although Congress enacted the Help America Vote Act of 2002, one in three Americans still question whether their vote will be counted accurately. Tune in to this spec ...

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Immigration Reform

The Senate is considering sweeping reforms that give some undocumented immigrants a chance to become permanent residents and citizens. But the proposals have met with stiff opposition from those who want to focus immigration reform on tightening our borders and punishing or deporting illegal immigrants. Join us on this edition of Justice Talking as we take a thorough look at immigration policy and border security. We'll ask if there is a way to prevent illegal border crossings, accommodat ...

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Will Drug Testing of Student Athletes Prevent Drug Abuse?

This fall, New Jersey will become the first state in the nation to begin random drug testing of high school athletes. Athletes who qualify for team or individual state championships can be randomly tested for more that 80 prohibited drugs from steroids to amphetamines and will risk disqualification for a year if caught. Join us for this back-to-school edition of Justice Talking as we look at steroids, students and sports and ask whether drug testing is the best way to prevent substance a ...

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Protecting People and Their Pets

A recent court order sentencing a cat to house arrest after it mauled at least six neighbors raises questions about how the law tries to safeguard public safety and mediate disputes when pets get out of control. Should communities ban pet pit bulls or venomous snakes? How about pet sheep, pigs and poultry? Can government force pet owners to use dog runs or keep their animals on leashes? Join us for this edition of Justice Talking as we look at pets and the law and ask whether new laws a ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


Wind Power

The high price of gasoline and the international furor over global warming have pushed policymakers to look at alternative sources of energy that can reduce costs and alleviate U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Residents of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket have been polarized by proposals for wind farms in the waters around the Massachusetts coast. A proposal to place 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound has the support of some business leaders and environmentalists, but others worry ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


Collecting DNA from the Accused

In recent years over half the states have passed laws that require convicted felons and some convicted of misdemeanors to give DNA samples to law enforcement authorities. As a result, even those convicted of petty crimes such as shoplifting or loitering must give samples just as murderers and arsonists do. But now New York State wants to require all criminals to give DNA samples and other states, such as Kansas and California, want to go even further by sampling people who are arrested, bu ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website


The Roberts Court

Each July, in cooperation with the National Constitution Center, Justice Talking asks constitutional experts to review the highlights of the Supreme Court's term. This year, with the appointments of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, the Court has undergone its most significant changes in over a decade. Join us as our distinguished panel helps us understand how the new justices will change the balance on key issues like executive power, states' rights, abortion and gay r ...

Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache |