Five at 8 - 4/13/09

WHAT WE'RE DOING

Minnesota kids are taking the MCA II standardized tests. No pressure, kiddies, unless you want to graduate.

Midmorning - In the first hour, Kerri Miller looks at the Obama administration's education proposals. In the second hour, the lost city of Z.

Midday - Tim Pawlenty is in the studio to take your calls. By the way, I renewed my license tabs this weekend. The registraton was $99 with a $4.50 "filing fee," a $1.75 "tech surcharge," a $5 wheelage tax, and $1.75 online fee. Just sayin'. It's not like the governor and Legislature haven't been raising taxes. So why is there so much debate from both sides over this year's budget as if they haven't?

Oh, the head of the IRS is live at the Press Club in the second hour.

Talk of the Nation: Here's the promo provided by National Public Radio:

On Talk of the Nation, we learn a lot about our guests...like journalist Bob Woodward, who noticed that we really like to listen to our callers. Even Woodward's been shuffled off other programs!! Have your say -- and a follow up with host Neal Conan on Talk of the Nation from NPR News.

I have no idea what that means. Either Bob Woodward is the guest, or their planned guest canceled and they're going to fill an hour taking phone calls. In the second hour: Decoding the latest nutrition news.

All Things Considered: John Marty officially announces his candidacy for governor. A few months ago he launched an exploratory campaign. That brings up an interesting question: How often to politicians launch exploratory campaigns only to discover they shouldn't run?

Daniel Zwerdling is beginning a two-part series on the Green Revolution in India. It worked for awhile, but it's sucked the water supply dry in one region, and is pushing farmers deeper into debt. Can we have a "green revolution" without environmental damage? Here's some mostly favorable background on the subject. And here's a dose of reality from the BBC this week: A large number of farmers are killing themselves.

Comments (4)

"How often to politicians launch exploratory campaigns only to discover they shouldn't run?"

good question. Did Sen Russ Feingold (WI) fall into this category for the 2008 election?

Posted by bsimon | April 13, 2009 9:31 AM

@How often to politicians launch exploratory campaigns only to discover they shouldn't run?

A lot actually.

Then there are those that discover it but run any way.

Posted by BJ | April 13, 2009 10:47 AM

Wow. The photo essay of the bullfighting is indeed amazing. I wrestle with this: it IS art and it IS barbarism. I have friends in Spain who are doing their utmost to end bullfighting, and I support them. But the appeal to me is undeniable. I eat meat. I'd prefer if all of it were slaughtered by hunting or that all the animals were raised in more humane conditions, but bullfighting reminds me of how human beings have turned their carnivorous nature into sacrifical rituals. We've given up some forms of human and animal sacrifice, but we still practice war and kill animals in barbaric ways for our table.

Posted by Joanna | April 13, 2009 11:14 AM

2 girls and a new puppy? It's the love story of the year. I can use a break from the current headlines *and* still appreciate the original Bo.

Posted by Mary L. | April 13, 2009 5:58 PM