Title: Here and Now for Monday, April 13, 2009

" Here now is a production of WBUR Boston in association with the BBC world service and PRI. I'm running on it here and now."

" We're going to have to continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks. We have to continue to be prepared to confront them when they -- And we have to ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable. Further crimes."

" President Obama speaking today well. The pirates are speaking as well jamaat -- a thirty year old Somali pirates says from now on if we capture foreign ships and their countries attack us. We will kill the hostages. That threat came after US navy survivors killed three Somali pirates in three US partnership captain Richard Phillips yesterday. And while there is joy that -- to say there are questions what will happen to the 200 plus hostages from around the world aboard captured ships off the coast of Somalia. Let's start with a quick look at today's top news story journalist John Burnett is with -- he was once held hostage himself by pirates in the south Tennessee. John do you think the existing hostages are in more danger now."

" I don't think there's any doubt but it's important -- point out Robinette. Piracy in these waters is an act in which. These -- can get billions of dollars in return for the hostages so I believe that there's going to be some of the event in which hostages unity injured. Or paraded in front of television camera and proxy killed but generally speaking these more than 250 hostages there I think more of our consulate I don't think spending seriously going to happen to him."

" Well -- Murphy the second in command immersed Alabama the US cargo ship. Made a plea today to President Obama to use all resources to end this scourge of Somali piracy is he said he said it's a crisis wake up. But Bloomberg News is reporting that the US military is considering attacks on pirate bases. And -- has the task force has as a task force 151 that since January. Has been using helicopters and marine corps snipers to thwart piracy -- your thoughts on how much more involved the US --"

" Well to go in there would do lifts the laws of the men and women to a house turned on the belt loaded gun and being held hostage and also the collateral damage. I would be severe. And also it must be kept in mind that we don't have the intelligence and know exactly who pilots are and who -- about. A fisherman could be a pilot -- the continent and legitimate solution in the next."

" Well there are reading this could go two ways Thomas Jefferson attacked the Barbary pirates eventually succeeded but that was a diplomatic as well as a military effort. And then there was the Somalian intervention in 1993. And modern history that of course was disastrous."

" Well going back Thomas Jefferson the Barbary pirates. He originally negotiated. With the head of the Barbary pirates four two make sure that the party ceased and resistance in the Mediterranean. So. I think it's important to realize that the first. We have to figure out -- more peaceful way of going in the military option should always be on the table and and when you talk about didn't allies to help us. You know we have. The largest our -- the most powerful armada of the military -- ownership naval assets ever assembled in recent years to try to stop piracy and piracy is still. Because that's out of control."

" Well we've talked about this before and you become sort of full circle to the same conclusion to fix this problem wouldn't and the US -- the world's leaders have to fix Somalia."

" Well that's the key that -- Policy was so it was controlled and southeast Asia in the Malacca straits. One the littoral states Singapore Indonesia Malaysia got together pooled their resources and detonated determined effort to -- stop piracy. No you don't have a government in Somalia unfortunately that -- has been stated for anarchy since 1991 so without a government to control its population. Pilots -- rampant. Throughout the -- and it's a very lucrative profession it's Molly that is going industry. And goal and my on the -- fishermen in a lot more lucrative from the pulling -- Catholic fishing net."

" Will Bloomberg News in addition reporting that the US military is considering attacks on pirate bases is also reporting that the US is considering. -- mobilizing even more aid effort to the people of Somalia just -- question guarantee you there isn't al-Qaeda linked terrorist group in Somalia. But is there a connection between the pirates and that group or are these just. -- you know criminals and a lawless society and even less nefarious. You know people out of work who can you say go from -- apparent in the blink of the nine."

" The other question. At this point there is no evidence that there is a direct link between the pirates. And -- Bob which is the al-Qaeda that terrorist group. Normally yeah. The Somali -- may make as much as if you are lucky fifty dollars a month. For whatever drug performs. When you get to be a pilot you make hundreds of thousands. Until. It's. This time last year actually eighteen months ago -- 150 to 200 pilots along Somalia's coast. To go there it estimated 2000 pilots and the war waiting list and drop applicant is quite long."

" It's John Burnett journalist and author of dangerous waters of modern piracy and terror on the high seas he was himself hostage at one point John Burnett thanks so much."

" Well President Obama approved yesterday sniper attack on the pirates. This is think about that for a second three sharpshooters on rulings -- aiming at three pirates at night. One -- holding an AK 47 to the American hostages back. He could've gone terribly wrong but it didn't. And that's small military operation off the coast of Somalia is being scored as an early military victory for the president as today's Washington Post puts it. Victory no matter how small -- that in failure. And it comes as Obama enters this the 84 day of his administration. So how is the president's 100 day report -- looking so far in the -- Jonathan alter he's of course the columnist for Newsweek who also wrote the book that. Was on president Obama's night stand as he prepares to take office back in January the book is called the defining moment. FDR's 100 days in the triumph of hope. Jonathan in Boston today for program on president Obama's first 100 days. At Kennedy library and so we're greatly lieutenant Dennis in the studio Jonathan welcome thanks Robin and let's just talk about the and the piracy story as we said great joy in Vermont and everywhere captain Phillips. Is coming home but. Used to rescue over balloon in the Barack Obama's backers are saying. This proves that even though he has -- a somewhat muted. The response we didn't see him on television much over the weekend. He can get the job done militarily."

" Well I mean this was good fortune and deceit the navy seals were well trained an excuse to their mission. So it's. Better be lucky than be smart sometimes this worked out well for the president although I'm not sure that we've heard the end of it because sometimes what happens is a small story click piracy and remember of we just heard from we've had. Ships. Being -- season hostages taken for quite awhile now a small story can suddenly become a large story which is what's now happened. So it may be that as the pirates themselves indicated. They will test. The American government the American president again. And I think the administration would like to. A small group of pirates in the mighty United States government."

" The navy was reportedly in negotiations with Somali elders before last night's attack and reportedly the navy wanted to arrest the pirates the elders wanted to punish them themselves not -- sort of them. The standoff and in the navy said they were forced to shoot the pirates when they say -- pointed a gun and Richie Phillips. The pirates today are saying you know the navy killed or teenagers they broke the peace process we were negotiations. If I now but in in other -- it just goes to. Perhaps this can still go bad for Barack Obama."

" Yeah I mean I think am you know we've got to remember that. This is a nasty neighborhood the beginning of Bill Clinton's term officer may remember. American soldier's body was dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. Became. You know the movie Blackhawk down and the real and the men and and the end the wonderful nonfiction book by Mark Bowden which is based. Give some sense of the level of disorder in that country. And since 1991. Haven't had a functioning government there remember that coastline. In Somalia is practically as long as the east coast of the United States. And you hand. Just a tremendous. Among them disorder dysfunction -- failed state. So when you get that kind of situation is the line between piracy and terrorism or. Between. Using you know failed state -- a staging ground for piracy and using this as staging ground just a bloody nose -- United States which is equivalent of a terrorist act that one becomes pretty --"

" It -- that -- has were just hearing from John Burnett and others that these criminals these units -- lawless. A lot of teenagers. Who would do out of work. Could slide over the line to full terrorism. Interesting you mention it Jonathan alter want to move on other things but. You notice that I don't think you wanna administration ever used the word terrorist talk about the pirate. No because they weren't."

" Classic terrorists. Hasn't got other people yeah. -- know they were after money which is a different motives and terrorists. Usually have but I'm pretty soon it becomes a distinction without a difference."

" Okay let's take a look at the rest of report card it is day 84 but -- really think -- inching towards the 100 days what's your thought so far about the Obama administration."

" Was made some mistakes but I think overall he stacks up very very well at this point historically speaking. With other presidency in fact he's now. Almost in the league of Lyndon Johnson in 1965. When Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. My far exceeded. All other presidents in the times since then in terms of what he's accomplished. In his first hundred days just put a lot of points on the board. And it seems like he's signing the bill practically. Every week that's the next one up will be. A dramatic expansion of national service from 75250. Thousand this is any a big deal for those of us were interest in the national service movement who this isn't that bill because americorps elitist americorps. Yeah and there's been so much activities so many executive orders -- bills passed. It's almost hard to keep. Track of I'm trying to track it for my next book on Obama's. First year but if you look it's -- like the stimulus package. Close to 800 billion dollars. Really that was about six or seven there. Maybe even ten major pieces of legislation. You want it was the largest tax cut in American history was the largest. Investment in infrastructure since the establishment media. And it interstate highway system and in the 1950s he was the biggest anti poverty program. In more than a generation. It it was the biggest federal funding of education. In history the biggest increase in that area so you're talking about just had tremendous series of changes in a very short period."

" Time which is exactly what in an unparalleled in reality here from U -- you know his critics hold up as criticism of Barack Obama on one point two Michael Gerson former speechwriter for George W. Bush so. Perhaps above partisan. But he says that -- Obama's infect the most divisive president more so than Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush he put it points to some -- Research center. Numbers about how partisan gaps that this. For George Bush a few months into his first term. The partisan gap was about 51 percentage points you know between. Republican and democratic approval ratings for Obama the partisan gap. Is it 61 points in other words the difference between how Republicans and Democrats view him and Michael Gerson says it just because. As a huge amount of dollars in all of these bills that you just mentioned that are being you know put put out by the Obama administration so. We rescued -- Jonathan alter that you know the downside of all of these bills that have been. Coming on the Obama administration that's Newsweek's Jonathan alter -- talking about Barack Obama's first 100 days. And of course he wrote the book the defining moment FDR's hundred days to transfer opens up. Get a comparison when we come back that's just one minute here and."

" Funding for here and now comes from the math works creators of Matt lab and simulate technical computing software. Dedicated to accelerating the pace of discovery in engineering and science worldwide. On the web at math works dot com."

" Welcome back here and now also there are going to chicken on post well Iowa a year after one of the largest federal immigration raids took place there. But meanwhile we continue our conversation with Jonathan alter from Newsweek about Barack Obama's first 100 days and Jonathan you were saying that you can't keep up with a flurry of activity from the Obama administration all the he's accomplished. He casting it into a positive lighten as we were saying his critics don't they say he's taking on too much right now the head planted too ambitious. And Republicans in particular worry genie thought about that."

" Well entirely surprising mean before the break you mentioned that I'm Michael Gerson George is to have George W. Bush -- feature here. City is the most partisan president in recent times and compare them portion of the beginning of Bush's term but. Remember it wasn't until after nine elevenths. When President Bush decided to politicize 9/11 use it as cordial as a weapon in the 2002. Mid term elections. That we got the huge partisan split. In this country when he was president which dwarfed anything that we have today. So it's just not factually accurate English and make an apples and oranges comparisons say that. Obama's more divisive and a bump Obama is also doing. Quite well with that independent voters -- hold the balance of power in this country now is he overreaching what will see. The nurse even some Democrats who argue that he's putting too much -- on the truck that he says trying to do too much too quickly. From his perspective he's just trying to keep his campaign promises and and moving forward. Aggressively. Two accomplish what he set before the American people. I'm of course the Big Three. The part of his agenda that is not. Directly related economic crisis. Or you other you know pending bills on Capitol Hill are. Health. Energy and education and those battles are are still to come and they've made it clear that the going to push very aggressively. To actually. If necessary rammed through the health and education parts of their gender with 51 votes rather than sixty. You read about."

" He's catching a carbon Cap and Trade System it's supposed to bring down energy prices and improve the environment. And he you know he's -- would try to push it through with or without Republicans."

" No actually and that 10 set on me that's the -- and he he is decided. That it is just too divisive to turn to do that. There's too much opposition within the Democratic Party to do that. With 51 votes you'd think that a simple majority wouldn't be controversial but I in the Senate. In recent years it's it's. The tradition has been more sixty votes. So there just is simply not the support for them to ram that through but they're going to try to get it done anyway and they have a number of different strategies for. For getting that accomplished but the main point here at the larger point that that I think is is quite similar to the way Franklin Roosevelt handle his first hundred days. Is that if you're getting dealt a lot of bad cards problem by feet by circumstance I am. An economy in crisis. The best reaction is to deal your own cards faster to stay on the offense to take the initiative. It otherwise you become. Buffeted by events and and subject. Two. You know the winds of fate and if you catch a break like something like. This -- hostage business with the pirates that that helps you. Keep your winning streak going even if you don't you want -- be. The captain of your feet and I think in in Barack Obama's defense he has acted that way since he's become president he has taken the initiative seized control. And shown leadership even if you think. That that leadership is taking us in the wrong direction. It's hard to argue with the idea that to he has been -- an activist. President."

" Decent too quickly -- about the leadership what about the creeping criticism. Some of the people around the president his economic adviser Lawrence Summers says it's revealed he made five million dollars at a hedge fund and register for grown in the White House he and Treasury Secretary Tim Timothy Geithner is seen as partly responsible for the economic mess. And you know that he talked to people on the street you know progressive Democrats some of the core. Of Obama's. Backers and their disappointment."

" Well I don't actually think gas. That and that that's necessarily the case -- certainly disappointed when they see. You know some of the people who are over surround him my my reaction to those progressives is that they're not looking closely enough facts this the most progressive president we've had in this country and more than a generation. He's already accomplished more in terms of public investment and hand. Advancement of progressive goals in listen hundred days then I'm Bill Clinton did in eight years and that's that's not my opinion if you actually look at the amount of money. That has been invested in that progressive ideas if you look at number of these executive orders. I don't think there's really much of an argument that. And it you can sustain that would suggest that he used less than. Progressive president has he nationalized the banks for some progressives want to know. And -- make good argument I've been critical of him. Not on on some of these banking issues but. This same set of Franklin Roosevelt the progressives in 19331 Hindu nationalist thanks and he wouldn't do -- leader."

" Jonathan alter from Newsweek and also author of the defining moment FDR's hundred days and the triumph of hope. Taking events of his being in Boston to get a report card it sounds like it was with the greats of the great that you would give Barack Obama."

" You know I didn't collective -- a tough -- days so I'll give -- an A -- and -- he's -- as -- he's made some mistakes I don't like some -- what he's doing in terms of not providing enough accountability for the -- wiretaps and some of the other -- had taken place in the Bush Administration and generally speaking -- he's been very very successful."

" Jonathan thanks so much thanks -- OK still to come today walking the streets of Raymond -- Los Angeles. But first the news here and now."

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" And this. Hank Williams junior and his dad's classic it's among the many -- on the long lost treasure trove of -- country music recordings tons of tapes. And we didn't listen that's tomorrow stimulus news is next here and T and."

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" When -- come."

" I'm running young it's here and now Corley reports are due out this week from some of the banks bailed out with taxpayer money. And the Obama administration is wrapping up its overall examination of banks putting them to the so called stress tests. So how -- Eric dash is banking reporter for the New York Times he joins us from New York welcome. You describe the scene Erica you know over 200 federal investigators at nineteen of the country's top banks looking at the books. Trying to see how much cache there really is how much how many losses there really are. Reducing the this is a stress test that really no bank can fail because even when you're going to get some money what you mean by."

" Rated sort of like that second grade spelling test that you can take until you passed what the regulators are going to do is they're gonna tell all the things they. But some will -- With flying colors and others will be told. You're going to pass only if he can raise new capital because you don't have enough money. If we can't the government will make money available others will be told -- to sell some assets to make it more attractive for private investors to comment."

" Well this is where the tension arises or reading exist now between the banking industry in the Obama administration some of these weaker banks they're failing the stress tests. Don't want to as the Obama administration is asking them to sell -- toxic assets. Because then I'd have to mark them down and have to admit what they're really worth you know they show big loss."

" Right and the other thing with the banks do is that they believe that they have -- earnings power especially in this environment. When interest rates so low -- there a lot of old competitors have left the market they believe that they have the earnings power to absorb these losses."

" Cool what else is the Obama administration likely to ask banks to do as a result of these tests."

" I think you'll see -- precincts that your realize the first is that some of eventual peace Paul you need to raise new capital marks six months to do it. If they can't the government will provide capital for them."

" And why is that a threat to a bank."

" The new capital from the government. Will come additional restrictions on executive pay. Perhaps management board changes in banks you know are very reluctant to want that government assistance -- the rules changed so for us."

" Well this isn't -- time. When the bailout money may be running out a fund we understand is down -- 134 billion dollars with sounds like a lot of money but then you think about all the money that's already been spent. Do we know from the test so far how much more money banks and neat."

" We really don't think that's one of weapons of regulators are trying to balance -- how much money. -- going to really needs. And you have all these other party's likely adventurers lining up for bail outs still that they know the fund is running out. And they want to make sure that they have enough money available."

" What we're -- and earnings reports from banks this week last week Wells Fargo predicted its first quarter earnings will be twice higher than expected. Who and how much of that good news. Is the result of the accounting rule change that was approved earlier this month. It's called mark to market it -- bank's value of their assets not what they are worth now but at what they might be worth. For instance mortgage values have dropped but banks are allowed to inflate them Goldman Sachs. Economists have recently banks were valuing their mortgages and about 91 cents on the dollar. Much more than investors were willing to pay for them so given not how much are these earnings statements war."

" Well the short answer is that it's really hard to say -- investors are going to make a judgment call us well. But I think it's important to remember that accounting it's just not hard and fast rules it's a series of judgment call us. And the biggest judgment call right now is just how is the economy. Going books. You know 368. Months south. And the answer is we don't know if you believe that the economy is going to get dramatically better. Maybe believe wells another bank's estimates. If you believe as many enlisted that the economy's going to get dramatically worse yet we still have not seen. Stabilization of housing market consumer spending continues to decline the -- slower rate than before. And the job losses -- opting you know if you believe that the economy is going to get worse then media things a little bit weaker."

" This way so hard to sort of -- really let banks have because as you said no one's really sure what things might be worth a few months."

" It really depends on your view but I think -- Regulators and top government officials are concerned that banks are harbor view -- more optimistic. --"

" Eric dash banking reporter for the New York Times -- thanks so much thank you. -- he'll be back in half a minute here and now."

" Welcome back we want to check in now with the town of post well Iowa population about 2000 and less than it was a year ago. That's one federal officials raided the -- processors Kosher meatpacking plant. 389. Immigrants were arrested more than a third of the -- workforce in nearly a fifth of the town's population. What has happened to the Townsend Stephen bracket is the pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in post -- pastor Steve he -- and kinda. What would you say overall the effect on the town has been."

" It's been devastating. For our counted as you can imagine to have that number of people. Forcibly removed from the town at one time. And then the chain reaction that occurred. Effects it's having on our school system. We are school district that should have merged with someone years ago. But because of -- processors being here we've had many more kids. And so there's a lot of concern that this school made contact survive. Plus businesses have been. Very adversely affected there are fewer shoppers so businesses are feeling the effects though. Both the raid itself and and also bankruptcy that we're processors."

" William the plan went into bankruptcy has been the subject of an ongoing federal investigation for immigration child labor law violations among other things which prompted a horrified. Ultra orthodox faith to review its Kosher meat working at that plant. But it's had this impact on the town did they try to get other workers."

" Yes when raid occurred we had hundreds of replacement workers descended upon the Tyrone and facility initial people who came in came from homeless shelters and we had many many problems with crime and as time went on. They were working more meticulously about. Who they were bringing in so groups of individuals. Where suddenly brought in we have some -- from the Twin Cities in the two point area. We had allowance from the Pacific island allow many other groups that came in that were more suitable work."

" Now as you said you know the plant is really kind of just limping along. About the way things were we we know that Hasidic Jews moved to post fill in the 1980s and open the plant. And brought in the first wave of immigrant workers Mexican Guatemalan. And we -- that initially there was some culture clashing but then when the largely male workers start to bring their families and settling down. Things changed what -- lake. When things were working well in post them."

" Yeah at first there were tensions. For some that transition was just too much too fast and he left the town I think a lot of that was due to the fact that you had folks who had lived most of their lives in very large cities. It to a very small rural northeast Iowa -- Even something so simple as saying hello to someone that you passed them on the street here that's kind of an expectation. So it took some time for the various groups to try to embrace the diversity that the town of postal was experience."

" Also post film is in is doing pretty well and last year may twelfth. When suddenly everybody can -- other helicopters hovering which is not normal and you've heard this from you I think neutral over and watch the -- your thoughts that day."

" I was just impressed by it. That number personnel involved in the -- that I could just see on the outside the plant they're worse state police cars based vehicles county sheriff's. They had blocked off all of the roads leading to -- processors."

" And then seeing people you know brought out in handcuffs and loaded into the vans and taken away -- your thoughts."

" I -- thought these are members of our community. Deceive them shackled together candidate kind of five point shackles."

" in shackles."

" That means that there arms are shackled down at their -- so they cannot lift their heads up. They're feeder shackled together. So there's message to me there is these are dangerous people that was the message that I seem to get. Two from seeing the fire arms that work drawn with the people around the perimeter of the --"

" Well that these were also mothers and fathers we did stories that that day we understand that kids get text messages. While they're at school that the plant -- being rated. And that in fact there are people now forty displaced workers. Stuck in a sort of legal limbo. In post filled their being held to put possibly testifying. What's happening with him."

" The material witnesses. Were given. Paperwork allowing them to work however not all of them have. Don't work so that big problem with them is. When they were arrested and taken the cattle congress many of them were pleading -- senate backed Guatemala and respective Macs. -- then we can support our families. Instead the majority of them were given a five month jail sentence. For identity theft charges. Then they thought they'd be able to go home after it happened now. They're being told no for keeping US material witnesses. And they have no idea how long they'll be. In the United States."

" We -- in head to dukes telegraph herald that it cost about 80000 dollars a month to take care of these families and -- you and other religious leaders are raising money to do just that."

" Yet immediately after the raid. 45 adults were released 42 women and three men generally to care for minor children. But they were released with GPS monitoring devices and told they could not work. So this -- Bridget Hispanic ministry and all of the people who are helping. Are having to come up with the money to support those individuals and their families."

" Limited to these were paid workers with paychecks and they paid taxes and your tax revenue must be just in the basement."

" Definitely the housing situation here in town this horrible a lot of these replacement workers were not given what they were promised. So they were angry lot of them just destroyed property as they left they had way too many people living in each of the places. Plus you know one other complaints as well illegal immigrants commitment they don't pay taxes. To the federal government. But the flip side of that is there and spending money."

" The next proposed fill in is this town going to rebound from this."

" I think we will I think that there are a lot of people who are interested in seeing the town recover. One of the problems we have right now is there's there's so many unknowns at our processors still does not have a buyer. If a buyer it's not -- Then the plant will stop production."

" use stand on this I mean you know some would say look we have to do something about illegal immigration. But is it we know what else could have been done and use it how what do you think the biggest problem is here."

" I wanna throw the attention to the United States congress. They've had the ability to fix the immigration issue no one has had the courage to take it on. Well doing immigration raids make it look like you're doing something about the problem. But it is horribly ineffective and extremely costly. Some of these folks have been here fifteen. Years had bought houses had kids who were US citizens because they were born here. So I think the answer is. Make people legal."

" Even if they came an --"

" Well and again I'd look at dead and they say why are they able to come here illegally."

" going forward because President Bush tried to do that. And that is he ran up against his courted constituency."

" We don't understand both sides of the argument."

" But people who say well they have to go back to their home country. And get in line with everyone else."

" That is not taking into account the fact that we have not had a process in place."

" To remove them if that's what the decision of the country at this."

" Pastor Stephen bracket he's with Saint Paul Lutheran Church in post -- Iowa pastor Steve thanks so much for speaking Linux. McCain taking a quick look at coming up this week on here now short story writer wealth tower who's getting rave reviews for his latest collection of stories. And 91 year old composer Leon Kirchner. What he learned from -- and what he taught you your mom. That's still to come this week and listen to some pressure as we also remind you still ahead Raymond Chandler list. In one minute here now."

" Support for here and now comes in part from the bill and Melinda Gates foundation. Dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live a healthy productive life information gates foundation dot org."

" Welcome Becky here and now. The big sleep the long goodbye classic an American crime fiction written by Raymond Chandler. Chandler created one of the most famous characters in fiction wisecracking private -- Philip Marlowe."

" I ate lunch at the drug store bought -- of Bergen intro eastward to central avenue and north on central again. The hunch I had was as big as the heat waves that danced about the sidewalk. Nothing made it my business except curiosity. But strictly speaking I hadn't any business in a month even know charged job with that change."

" That's accurate Elliott Gould giving voice to Philip Marlowe and another Chandler classic farewell my lovely. Raymond Chandler was born in Chicago but his fiction captured the feeding art Deco splendor of Los Angeles has adopted city. So the BBC's Laura Hubbard took to the streets of LA to find out how Chandler still resonates their today."

" It was spring in Los Angeles this now look -- and jasmine talking with corruption to fill the -- In some ways not much had changed in the fifty years since Raymond Chandler had died the rich got richer the port to -- fleeced. It couldn't help but wonder did Raymond Chandler and his private -- Philip -- still walk the streets of this town there was only one way to find out. I headed downtown to visit Morgan -- His office had wooden -- and old black telephones and on the couch never looked as inconspicuous as a terror Rancho on a slice of Angel food. He was making a documentary about Chandler called the simple act of murder. To him channel their unmasked the city no way no one else had."

" LA was a city that was built by boosters. It was sold in many ways on on a myth and he was the first person come along and pull back to veneer of that saying look there's a lot of other really dark stuff going on underneath."

" But was such stuff gambling prostitution. Ground running and murdered and crimes that hums along with the steam -- with outbreaks."

" My -- followed generals we're going to do. -- this model commitments. But the thirties Elly became incredibly corrupt it it crept mayor who was eventually kicked out we have. Crept police department and scandals everyday in the papers and this is what Chandler was reading as he started his career and mystery right and move."

" Didn't sound that far off from the city and you the one Robert -- wrote about in Chinatown and Curtis Hanson an LA confidential. They weren't home when I called that I knew another filmmaker Carl Franklin can help me. He drew on channel his vision of Los Angeles for his noir inspired films double and a blue dress and one false -- In the streets were dark with something more than night as I climbed into the hills over Hollywood and paid him a visit."

" LAX. Kind of a perfect the reason for war -- ways as opposed say in New York. Because New York you know in terms and crimes committed there it seems like there's a lot of it is explained by social conditions. People who are very very cramped close to each other so that would probably. Naturally spur a lot more interaction which would mean some of that and corrections can be crime. You know there's the fight for space and all that out here. You know with this sunshine. And everything's kind of spread out. It's almost like -- garden of Eden where people can choose to do wrong you know it's almost like you know. Yet here we are you know in this great place but after all we are what we are. Jews and -- the -- yeah because it's on the tree. You know among. The oranges and all those other great piece of fruit that are hot here in over a minute that apple."

" I rolled back down into the heart of the city confident that the Los Angeles Chandler describes still existed stronger than before. But while Chandler and joint exposing the city the writer himself from me this enigmatic as a chauffeurs killer in the big sleep. To find out more about the author and his most famous character. I met -- young biographer Tom Williams at a cafe on the corner of Sepulveda and Santa Monica boulevards. The kid's face had this much expression of the cutter round steak was about the same color that Williamson who is subject."

" He's not -- it was very good values. Drank loads in the twenty's. And got sacked from his -- as an ambulance persons because of his alcoholism. And he picked up rights because that was one of these ways of fixing a field as a way of isolated himself well. State media handles himself well this has in his blood. And right I didn't think the."

" Philip Marlowe was -- most famous character cynical detective who acted from its own moral code. Williams tells me Chandler was fascinated by Eritrean legends and then -- was named after Mallory the author of those months of dollar of romances."

" the night to reassess who for months ago but he's also very appealing he's in the weeks ago. I mean he doesn't bad things and he hates himself for a but he is a cute plus it is about. But these guys mean streets of a good mammals wolf about -- Two on the from. That's on the --"

" Humphrey -- to Powell and Robert Montgomery played -- in 1940s. It was -- pools of re interpretation of -- Robert Altman's the long goodbye. We casts a detective to the Vietnam War generation. I posted a few miles to school to -- not sure I'd want to see me less street want to talk. But he liked -- in fact it felt like he still was -- 35 years later."

" His world. It doesn't change. He lives in the world that has the values. That are in relation to what our ideals. And dreams. Are. As a man of ethical. And moral backbone. And that will never change with this character. And therefore it's it can be extremely humorous. To see the world. Through his side."

" Man. According to cool Marleau hasn't seen his last day far from it. Quite honestly it depleted detected in a period film and cool hopes to play Marlowe thirty years on the film to be directed by Alan Rudolph. Cool seemed honest and humble but I wasn't convinced there was still pleased that I kind of character in Los Angeles today a private I was the code. To find out -- at least one last time to an apartment hidden behind a good idea about six blocks from where -- that once lived. The woman's name is Judith Freedman the exotic -- to move more than one eyelash. Her book the long embrace imagine the life Raymond Chandler had with -- like Sissy who is eighteen years his senior. I asked her -- to Philip Marlowe still lives in Los Angeles today."

" He is such a moral. Personality. In a time when many of the six is so appalled. At how horribly corrupt. Our institutions. Have become. We realize that in the end. It's the individual conscience. That we'll make a difference in society. And I think that half. Political emotion behind it -- And every chance novel. Is what really makes those books and it's."

" That report came to us from the BBC's Lauren hunter. Here announce a production of WBUR in Boston in association with the BBC world service and tonight. I'm loving god please join us again here and now."

" Funding for here and now comes from the math works creators of that lab and -- technical computing software on the web at math works dot com."

" And."