Many things 4 (listen!)

Surprisingly, I am currently listening to NPR. Here and Now is on, a program that I listen to when I can (it's not my favorite). Today they're talking to Michael Pollan, a professor at UC Berkeley and author of The Omnivore's Dilemma. They're talking about "the politics of food", providing some good information on exactly what corn (and soybeans soon) is doing to the U.S., including making the poorest people obese, a trend that has never really been seen in history (usually, the poor people can't afford food and starve, now they can only afford fatty foods, and they get big). They bring up some issues that a lot of people don't know about, but should. Go here to give a listen to the interview. It will be worth your time.

The second thing to which you should listen is an episode of This American Life entitled Habeas Schmabeas. I have listened to This American Life many times in the past, and the stories featured are often pretty much meaningless in their own powerful way. This episode, on the other hand, is something that I think any American who considers her/himsef informed should give a listen. The episode deals with the rule of habeas corpus, including its introduction in 12th century England. The most important part of the episode is the time it spends dealing with the rule in regards to the current inmates of Guantanimo Bay, and how our current administration is completely ignoring this rule's place in our constitution. Listen to the stories of some of these detainees, and see if you think there is any reason for them to have their lives destroyed, and not even have the chance to tell their stories.