Title: Here and Now for Thursday, September 3, 2009

" Support for this podcast comes from Warner Bros. Pictures presenting. The informant the new comedy starring Matt Damon from the director of ocean's 1112 and thirteen. The informant in theaters everywhere September 18 hearing now is a production of WBUR Boston in association with the BBC world service."

" And PRI I'm -- Becker in for robbing young it's hearing now coming up the story about surviving heroin addiction. But first amid increasing violence in Afghanistan's foreign envoys dare say the country needs less corrupt politicians. After meeting in Paris yesterday the envoy said they had no preference whether there should be a runoff after last month's presidential election. To avoid that the winner needs 50% of the vote. Joining us from Kabul as Washington Post editor -- dates under sake Iran and Reggie let's start with the fraud charges of vote to still being counted at this point -- it looks like incumbent President Hamid Karzai is leading. Election commission has to sit through some 2600 complaints of fraud what's happening."

" The complaints keep piling in today. And this is going to be incredibly forty issues to sort out. If indeed the lead over years. Karzai comes out pretty close to about -- 2% market not -- But yeah election commission then sort would want that peace and and other -- will be significant in number of ballots that will be excluded because of cases of fraud. Debt debt will be out investigated. Well this is capped a big cloud over the post election period of the Hainan. Afghanistan. Really needs any legitimate government and compared with -- very crucial process. We don't in this country all of getting more effective gotten -- The problems and local level are being targeted state suspended animation here that is of course causing. A great deal of concern for. -- all of the nations that troops in this country trying to combat the Taliban insurgency trying to bring that to create stability to this once."

" He'd give me an example of one of the more significant. Complaints of fraud from the election."

" Well they're been reports in one province stepped up at a number of polling sites. -- literally hundreds of ballots have been identically marked. War. It Karzai's. -- attacked a couple. In some cases -- identical number. Adults from a number of different polling site in -- province. Video that surfaced as people just sort of jamming multiple ballots and ballot box is. Pots seemingly all manner of Election Day -- fraud is being launched this."

" And does the country's election commission have varies sources that are planned to investigate -- that's."

" They have very limited investigative capabilities. And this is not entirely. Impartial group."

" Some of the members absent some clear agencies. To present our site so there is some concern whether this body will be acting cut in the most impartial a possible."

" What about the US the US envoy to Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke was at their meeting that -- took to -- in Paris yesterday denying reports that there had ever been intense meeting between him and to permit 'cause I. Is the US so working with -- Afghan government."

" But he's working in the election commission are offering to provide necessary to support. To help it. This year after year. With regard to yeah of the meeting between Holbrooke. In its ambassador to Pakistan call legendary and President Karzai. They don't depends how you define parents the US and this has stated that nobody shouted. Yeah but President Karzai public -- once. Upset. That's did not. It's a matter into worse we're going to these victories. And -- in US. What was essentially acting in ways that suggested it was trying to unseat him -- did the tension between. Karzai and the Obama administration."

" When do you think we might have official results from the election."

" Well there are resolved there's -- be announced on Monday. Although that always could be delayed."

" very briefly -- because they're running out of time. In addition to two these fraud charges in the election we've also been hearing about increasing sophistication of the Taliban and then of course is -- new UN report about a big. Cash crop in Afghanistan which is opium. The UN report says opium production is down sharply but the country still has huge stockpiles what's going on there."

" Over the past couple years have been good -- I was sort of talk. So that's because the price poppy problem was falling farmers switch to other crops that. Does not mean by any stretch of the imagination the -- of the problems being salt. And what do you what that is dead. -- kept increasing concern that larger drug cartels for me I smuggled and a -- out. Obviously a concern that some of that the proceeds from from the drug sales are fighting the Taliban insurgency here so despite the drop. Production. Officials here say that the -- problems still remains very significant. And something that they had to continue to be addressed."

" Washington Post editor Rajiv center stick around and just from common rusty thanks very much. Afghanistan produces 90%. Of the world's opium the raw material for heroin we wanna turn now to the sand but hopeful story about heroin addiction. There are many people who can say they've been able to lift themselves up from being homeless junkie to working as an award winning journalist and creative writing professor and author and most recently a Hollywood screenwriter and actor but -- Ferrell can't. And he tells the story in his new book what's left of us a memoir of addiction. Right -- left here. There's says this is -- during this is that. And -- I always known as it is. -- recently took us around his native city of Lowell Massachusetts to tell us his story of being a homeless addict in 1980s. -- now working on the set of the movie the fighter in a little. With celebrities like Mark Wahlberg the film is based in part unfair rules documentary -- and -- street."

" You know it's a junkie in twenty years ago I came back five years cling to make I don't fracturing then. -- layer I was involved in the movie itself for the past when he isn't as straight screenwriter working with the -- An and I -- addition some myself. And in the director chose me to play so have a trail. With what frame of government -- have you know it's our."

" And Ferrell starred as an -- is almost -- unlikely he's now 53 years old and he looks back fondly on his childhood in Lowell. Growing up near extended family in a working class predominantly Irish neighborhood centered by saint Patrick's Catholic."

" Church. That does -- conference --"

" I was off of images that Richards is a big hearted hero."

" If that a lot of stuff if it's a lot of handsome and right over there as well only you know there."

" That the that hurts him in my father's body came down this straight. And again this is auld mug on dolls but those type of tenement buildings all the junky runners was standing out there waving to me. I had just been there early and got two bags -- and and shot two -- heroin as I was in the harsh going away in saint Patrick's. To give you would give my father's funeral."

" In net eulogy Ferrell says he did not tell the truth about his father. He was a teacher well liked and well known in lol the devout Catholic. But in private Ferrell says his father was in abusive man who had not accepted his son was born with a -- So he developed an exhaustive exercise regiment pushed the younger -- to play football was devastated when that ended with -- injury. And Ferrell says his father wanted him above all else to be tough."

" You throw a birthday party -- and at at the party. We have all these yes and -- people all optional one huge -- on the table. You will let me open after all after it took me downstairs in the playroom. And we opened it was a senate boxing gloves the -- on and he beat me from one end of the play room to the other. Until I collapse -- starkly and as I'm just crime and I'll never forget it he said rich I'd do this for you. Because the world's going to be tough for you you're gonna get knocked down and you gonna have to get up again someday you'll understand. Why did this I did this for you it is do you think that's why he started doing tests. You know. I don't you know I mean I became a pretty crazy football player I was saying it was strong. You know my father is pushing him and you know and I was a pretty crazy -- so in our small part -- and and I was strong and I was pretty good football and I was in a game and All-Star game I -- crack back blocks. There was illegal chop block and a flaw in my own mind me and a fellow loveless preference it was back when the doctors didn't have by -- Computer systems we could chuckling you know who was giving a slam off five doctors. The whole interview and get that hurt it is -- it departments -- addicted to think listeners I found out something very very interesting I found out that. Then narcotics not only took away the physical play but they did an unbelievable. Job to destroy the emotional thing. And when my father walked away from me when I couldn't play football he wanted to go to Notre Dame went all banging and talked to me anymore. Franklin live -- it was this guy that I loved. Wouldn't talk to me it was just. An ideal thing to heal all --"

" Killing pain was also what took Ferrell from prescription drugs to heroin in the -- this time was worse. Ferrell was with his father is in nineteen died in 1984 but he didn't talk about it for years and it haunted him. Basically what happened was at -- mother was in the hospital after minor surgery and wasn't able to reach his father by phone. She was worry because his father had a heart condition so she called barrel and asked him to go to the house and check on his dad. When Ferrell did he found him with another woman."

" And so why all the garage door and up to stay as and they were involved in their passion on the -- law and frank. Afraid that lost tore -- the -- look closer welcome back porch and I've pulled up a chair next to my -- It was on the floor and -- sentence -- dad. Well let's have a feeling amassing communion every day what is it to wash away instance. My father had it and and it had a habit of doing a -- false. Images were Kravis not pretend he was haven't not a tax. Really get at this day and and all of a sudden his bottom left started to turn. Purple balloons out of this wild and I realized that. Wasn't taken. --"

" He. He died there. I'd just Elvis it is okay. You know his head and I just. Carol Lawson said. You know don't -- You know everything that. That there. I had you know. It's time to talk about this. You know everything I had. Is gone right there on the floor. You know I I do all right sometimes. It's tough. Losing is -- and bad vision that I just told you guys was in my brain every morning when I woke up and the only thing that took away as -- back home. It was daylight pretty much --"

" First thing you know cause I gonna get kind. You know you do ever but what about what every you had to do get whether it was the -- people. Sold drugs on the streets to people. Go into two world. Say is sin and department stores do it and steal things solemn. The pawn -- when -- he had to do."

" That's pretty fair -- talking about his life as a junkie during the 1980s. Clinic and that he'll tell us how he was sent to detox treated with -- and how when he was finally able to tell that story about his father's death. He was also able to beat -- harrowing. And later in the show white states are racing to change the laws measuring teacher performance the bottom line is -- competition for federal education dollars we'll be back. After a break here in."

" It's."

" Funding for here and now comes from the math works creators of -- 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 to hearing now and our conversation with author screenwriter and former heroin addict -- Ferrell in Lowell Massachusetts."

" Following up this revenue of one into the -- Because they get their power from -- macro effect in the textile base the term but it worked on average game."

" Ferrell was born in all and they spot he's taken me to amid a torrential downpour is where he almost died 22 years ago. -- throughout the few blocks from here in an Irish Catholic neighborhood. He worked in real estate got married and had two kids but his continuing struggle to come to terms with his father's abuse and his father's death. Led him to drugs eventually to heroin. In the 1980s Ferrell was a homeless junkie seeking shelter in an abandoned textile mill building Mary tried to commit suicide with two other counties."

" We Iraq and sitting. Which ran for. Where actually -- right where bell -- wants to talk about. It was here that -- authenticate yourself -- right here fly lady to take days it won't you know. I figured personally had a couple kids that. I thought. Well -- my father and what you've done for me and I always wanted to be about a father my children and he was for me a lot of a lot. I thought. When I saw my kids that last time when our over the -- I was crying they wanted to go I really I really believe that my kids will be better off. I was -- Right here in the on the -- second fall. When we put to -- bags in the -- car and all the right Aaron said this is it. I mean people at all time. If not -- themselves five million when you just don't wanna call them all when you say I can't. Raw like it's the -- a low life in my in my life not worth anything when you wake cop in you don't want to live anymore. You get to that point so you know you talk to people who. Have a a son daughter or -- woman died. Heroin overdose I would say good 7% of them. The -- on purpose they check out it's an easy way to go. Just -- Put too much and corporate use fire home's fine just not off. In hot stuff."

" Here though. When you were here and in Europe probably at the lowest of the low right for you really when you wanted to kill yourself -- he found him."

" From what I hear poetry can find an auto announced agreement. And went screaming over there and called an ambulance and they came they have these cocktails of the Olympic call. In the Timothy it's adrenaline in your registry. And we left. An executive -- snapped up these dogs and then to little defects that have a dozen times and I was I was I'm. I think I think it could be any time I was able."

" Can we -- if that's nice restaurants that there is different. -- across the room for a."

" So why you think. People become addicts is it because what it feels like -- behind."

" Heroin and why it's so destructive. If it's the best way to describe it of people haven't taken it. It's like it's like riding the -- of an -- gas. That I was second right before. People orgasm you -- from the -- like a two hour here. And that's why it's so you for -- so captivating that that's the best way to describe."

" detox is now Lowell general hospital's cancer center at clean modern building very different from the place where Farrell spent a key week of his life. Oh so this is this is holding talks this building here. It's amazing successful. It is amazing. Ferrell is visibly nervous as we go inside it was here where he was finally able to end his three year battle with heroin to go on to the life he has now as an author professor and Hollywood screenwriter."

" My insides right now as I'm sitting here a little bit nervous if some pretty amazing. Right upstairs here spent seven days and she left there on April 1 1987. And never shot another -- you think you're able to finally get away from here -- get away from there's no doubt it's a spiritual thing I can't really explain that I had. There's this you know whether it's broad. The holy spirit I don't know but. I got lucky -- when I talked to kids I say listen guys wanna tell you don't know pay attention to this for a statement. Potty talk Caroline wants an after that. Harold and took -- in the place wanted to. And my point is this is not an experimental drugs. This is not marijuana. This is something that's gonna grab you by the seat of the pants and take control. Kids today. I get hooked on. The you know back in my day it was a pertinent today its overseas OxyContin. But I go to street where it's 3040 dollars for a little bell. Now all of a sudden comes lady heroin coming in from Afghanistan. Five dollars a bag. They say I'm not mean junkie I'm just gonna snort it. The -- real quiet because when when you wake up and -- as an attic you have two choices only two choices. Repeat -- that's it."

" Let's get hired in any 22 years and authorities think you found that of the strength and those seven days here today to carry you through questioning must've. Still had a craving for."

" For him I don't know you know -- and the -- and partly in the arm. It wasn't a craving for heroin -- say it was the anxiety attacks it was knowing and this is kind of weird it was knowing that all had to do. Was called from where I was living on Lafayette street. Down to Adams street and -- you know a five minute walk -- a little bag of white Colorado would take all this anxiety away. I use static for for us as my birthday. I used to date time laps I was I you know why -- in the hospital. You don't have access to help us for the first you hit the street. You into anything. So that's today that you take phone community of birth that would celebrate. A long sentence on the I'm only twenty years old equipment is different for."

" Assistant went on I love everybody laughed and -- at the end."

" That's -- Ferrell and Lowell Massachusetts his new book about his life as an addict is so what's left of us and then addiction."

" Gone is."

" I."

" New. To see photos of Richie Ferrell and learn more about his life go to our website hearing now. It's hearing him."

" Seventy years ago this week Germany invaded Poland and World War II began. British prime minister Neville Chamberlain made this announcement on the BBC on September 3 1939."

" This morning. The British ambassador embedded in her ended the German government. -- final -- They getting this done this we heard from them by in the group -- power. That they were out of bed at west to withdraw that troops from Burnham. A state of war. Would be just between news. I have to tell you know. That no such undertaking his being received. And that consequently it this country. Is at role -- German."

" Even as Chamberlain's spoke thousands of people most of them schoolchildren were being evacuated from Britain's cities intends to the safety of the countryside. The British called it operation pied piper."

" I don't know about. --"

" big metropolitan thing but it gates today but the evacuation. Of London school children. We're on number -- that -- can -- it Hantuchova but just arriving coming along and school groups and abandon front headlock pulled it off the Condit up in front. Heated up the debate around the world -- you gotta look behind and not from the article. Well like posting fifty even sixty that it effectively through."

" One of the ways Britain is marking his seventieth anniversary of the start of the war is within exhibition inside the underground bunker prime minister Churchill used during the war. The BBC's -- plante reports."

" Just around the corner from parliament tucked beneath an anonymous government building. Is that I'm intrusive great tool. Doesn't look like much but in 1939. It was a possible government. When Obama's -- the sirens sounded. The heads of the armed forces and prime minister Winston church who needed somewhere safe from which to run the war. -- was this bunker that they came to. He had deep underground on Mac -- gun racks ten defense system on which to speak to the American president but also the necessities of life. The bedroom with a narrow debate compete with the green groups in which Churchill slipped. Dose of the disk from which he gave fold his famous wartime speeches."

" Yeah written me. -- I he."

" Seven to -- exhibition has opened to bring home the importance of the cabinet war rooms to a new generation. The curator is Chris is the finch."

" We went into these people totally different stuff who -- tea. And treating it dispatcher ideas in the tightness in the marine counts. -- in on this very -- us here -- the hearts of the cabinet organs. They did things like preparing to what is spun it between he talked about writing but I -- fifteen day and then he. I'm just how many people operated from these rather cramped quarters we think up to about 400 just to time -- stuff arsenal. But by the end of the we'll have a hundred friends that he. Just how important was it to the British war. And this is whether Hamas covenant to minute -- months with the stations. Is that -- cabinet meetings being held so the most important -- Cunningham was taking place."

" Mara -- and 980s. Was among the young women who worked here."

" When I first came down half hours after let me headed titled the courage does McCain and Graham wants mourners staying. I got used to it pitches it was a treat to interrupt tennis in different -- And if you did trial day's news came from night. -- her -- time without any and you night so we -- like -- patent is."

" Even often on in the war rooms it was with relief that I said assistant the fresher of a late summer's day. The cabinet war rooms where a vital part of Britain's wartime --"

" Each of the BBC's -- and -- In London. And before we go today in the tradition of Woody Guthrie and new music about what it's like to work in the 21 century recession. Mac after a quick break here -- news."

" President Obama wants to link teacher pay to student performance Andy's holding out billions of federal stimulus dollars to get states to go along. The president's race to the top program is doling out four point three billion dollars in education grants but the money comes with strings attached. The most controversial would require states to judge teachers based on student test scores. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to change the laws in his state to meet that condition and other states have already done so. Alison Kline is covering this story for education week and Allison can you explain what the race to the top program this current four."

" Lot of -- the top program was created as part of -- on. And it's such rewards states basically you do a good job of making sure that teachers are equitably distributed throughout the states. Meeting that we've experienced teachers. Don't end up in the lowest performing schools. It also rewards states -- create high quality assessment means Catholic students. And it also -- select at delayed its State's turn around their lowest performing schools."

" And as we said a big issue here is linking. Teacher pay to student performance."

" Yes -- the department of education and about proposed criteria for how they would judge stayed there at the top competition. And at one of the things -- states apple must deal in order to off site for one of these grants and they're they're highly coveted because so many states are in such dire financial history that they have to make sure it's possible on next day data systems. To take a look at how -- teachers giving it compared to their --"

" The department also is saying and that it would like states to not have any caps on Charter Schools as well."

" Yet that's exactly right but again that's something that they would encourage it not necessarily something that's so much. As the data systems prison."

" In so because of this these are these are big changes hands are affecting California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing. Several things like removing the cap on Charter Schools in like changing the state laws so we can get in the race for some of -- federal stimulus money list of the other things he's proposed."

" Well he -- they're taking a look at the latest state paid teachers he wants to see alternative pay. Basically it's like merit pay paint teachers who have -- results for this year more."

" Based on standardized test scores."

" That could be a component of America. He also wants to see a change in the way that the state measured in performance you would like to even looked at -- after year -- year. Yes -- want to see more and that kind of turning around low performing schools especially the very Lester for schools."

" I mentioned -- teachers' unions are not happy with us."

" They're actually opposed to Cuba most of the ideas that Governor Schwarzenegger put forward they've launched a state by -- and actually and national. Campaign -- a lot of that in one of the things they point out is that these are not finalized regulations yet. What -- not about race the top and they're not sure it makes sense for the state to change applies. To go after what's really a pretty small -- of money California as a 26 billion dollar deficit even if they gave all very atomic California which. Certainly they want do you. It would even come close to closing -- and and the teacher unions that they're saying let's you know let's pull up what wait a moment. Before we completely change our -- are what's really just proposed at this point critic here."

" So at this point and then this possible condition to the federal stimulus money is at the states. Get rid of the camp on charters and that states tie teacher performance to student test scores. But those are not finalized it yet doing -- when he might be silenced."

" Hopefully that is all we'll see -- regulations."

" What are the other states aside from California what are they doing."

" Some other states are planning on taking a look at their state be utilized. Wisconsin there's an interest there from the governor -- just from his speech he'd at least in Nevada. And that in New York one state lawmaker Sam Hoyt wrote a letter Q governor Paterson and saying hey you -- California's gonna be doing this special session to change -- deal I think that's something that we should do you in New York. And obviously the teacher's union there is opposed about."

" the education commissioner in Vermont says it smaller rural states like Vermont could be heard because in many areas they only have one school they're very small schools they can barely fill the seats in those classrooms so securely offer is. Charter school option is that a big concern for a lot of other places."

" Yes that's certainly a huge considered when it comes to erase the top criteria a lot of girls schools they -- Not only did the chart eruption not really work very well for them but there aren't that concerned about merit pay paying teachers more out there just doesn't make enough of the different. -- isn't enough competition for the teachers' jobs out there and also especially when it comes back to date and content but that. I'm turning around the performing schools and of what he wants schools to view it close and -- to other schools. And obviously the idea of staying at your the only school around for a hundred miles --"

" You know a lot of this ends with a lot more federal regulation in education which some folks -- I was going to change under President Obama in the -- may be a little bit of stepping back from No Child Left Behind but this seems like it's going in the other direction."

" Willie you could argue that that -- the top is the competitive grant programs states don't happen to you take that money they don't have to comply with these -- No Child Left Behind its money its victories to getting -- they had to do you -- things for money that was kind of party part of their funding bloodstream. -- the top indicator that the --"

" That the economy is also in horrible shape and everybody's struggling."

" That's apple interred there in some ways against the states in typical position and it would be seen as a lot more. Federal regulation however that department is giving it -- unprecedented resources."

" So info is enhancing finalized in terms of what the criteria might be for states to apply for some of this money and then when they find out and when might there be some sort of a resolution in California."

" Governor Schwarzenegger is hoping that in early October in his statement changed the laws and pass his -- packets. Their very first grants there's going to be a couple of rounds of written it up putting in the first round won't go on until March."

" Alison -- educationally she's been speaking with us about -- some states are changing their -- to try to get federal stimulus money for education -- thanks for being with us thank you actually."

" Now for us in other news we're following firefighters have contained about a third of the massive wildfire that's been burning for the past eight days near Los Angeles December residents are being allowed back into their homes holly Pappas of blockers and says. Says elite firefighters known as hot shots helped save her house with a hot shots came and they cleared a nice trends. About ten feet from my back fence line. And a fire came right up to that tranche it was so surreal to watch the video of what happened. And I'm just overjoyed I have my neighborhood but not everybody was so looking more than sixty homes were destroyed two firefighters were killed. Fire officials hope to fully contain the blaze in another week and a half. Also the health care debate is getting more bizarre and violence and a man at a pro health care reform rally in Thousand Oaks, California and got tipped off at a group of protesters. Here's captain frank O'Hanlon of the inter county sheriff's department."

" That gentleman and I and our victim is 65 year old male and got into this fight. This fight deteriorated to the point where 65 year old male editors left little finger at an off."

" Police are looking for the attacker the man who lost -- his finger was protesting health care reform. Doctors were able to reattach the finger and it turns out Medicare will pick up the -- Back in just limit him here -- them."

" Welcome back."

" This is all there at the bottom line that title song and a new CD -- town caravans. --"

" Man makes a Big East -- just -- this round I'm working. Bonuses. Be. Jurevicius a professor of labor studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This songs reflect Jurevicius interviews with teachers call center workers and factory employees about their jobs and he joins us from the studios of WFCR. And Tom did you file a common theme among the workers you spoke with."

" I think the common theme here it's just that with this economy and with the pressure from outside in the growing unemployment is that people feel an awful lot of pressure on the job to work not just. Every hour every minute every second to really be on 24/7. Feeling like they really have to perform extraordinary things just to keep. Those jobs to hold on that work."

" There's a son of the CD -- note factory have broken dreams let's listen to Elizabeth -- there and."

" Wanted to be a teacher. -- Working with children. These. Mobile -- Commune. So us -- loaf called me who it is and all through beacon news. -- back in this. For the new moons."

" Okay."

" Coming what's that thing about -- had a conversation with a call center workers Verizon in Andover Massachusetts and she was talking about her work and the kinds of monitor mean in the pressures to sell and so on the -- back in her chair. And she said you know wanna look around this place what do icici factory broken dreams. Because nobody ever wanted to via telephone worker when -- group -- as a child they had more grandiose hopes of being nurses and teachers and we all ended up here. On and it's maybe a place for us to earn some money but it really doesn't house -- dreams anymore so it was a beautiful quote. But I was able to taken that story to put into that song it did you ever mean anybody who's -- hopeful. When it lots of people hopeful and you know the amazing thing about it is despite these difficult working conditions is that people themselves are very hopeful. They're hopeful for their families are hopeful for the kids they're hopeful for their own future I spoke with some Guatemalan immigrants undocumented workers. And a young man it was my son's age worked two minimum wage jobs eighty hours a week. You know an astronomical. Number of hours to work you do that for four years NC 10000 dollars to send back home to a Stanley to -- the first piece of land they've owned. And for generations and he is so proud of that he's so proud of that and so people do have capacity to hold onto these threads of life the move them forward. But the same time I don't think we should just simply say we should let the workplace the I think it's time that we. Really look what people do every day at work and even in this difficult times. The start asking smart questions about why nurses for example are working double shifts or sixty hours a week. Or why we force people at minimum wage to work two jobs so they can make ends meet and these are really powerful questions that. These workers have helped me to understand that we need to address in the society."

" Usually have a -- on the CD about immigrants. It's called immigrants like me let's listen to that."

" then. -- The -- on. Need. And world. In the bath room. And kitchens and move on these."

" Please doom and Z. I wrote the song because it seems like so many times we want -- to be here we don't want to be hopeless wanna hide them away we're happy for them to do our dirty work. What we don't want them to be part of our society. And and again equity came from listening. To those workers I think defenseless means the most powerful things that we can do as a songwriter. Or as a sociologist. To listen to people and and to really try to understand lives from their perspective."

" Besides in your son son -- CD there are also songs that really reflect a tradition of work and labour suns series there's -- by Billy Bragg and sung by Woody Guthrie called I ain't got no home. You can guitar with you can you played part of that forums. The --"

" You got -- alone."

" Still -- and around."

" The lone. Worker. Rooms around. Foley's make. The rules and the other unnamed -- me you're gonna go."

" Mu. Why did you choose this so. On this Woody Guthrie -- what I really like about it is that it was written at the end of 1930s. When times are really hard and the whole country was going -- through a sea change. And I think we're really going through that same kind of a sea change right now. Manufacturing workers have really taken -- and and the world that they knew wasn't gonna exist anymore and and for them it's not just about losing them in comments about losing their whole. Community their friends and in some ways losing their home and the song always spoke deeply to me. About our need to have home. And now work as part of that home."

" And it Backstreet. Lose. And -- look here. But at all. Nothing. We don't send. A -- food news."

" And what about unions. I haven't we seen more progress -- the part -- the unions to be able to protect the working conditions for some answers."

" When unions are still incredibly important amendment in many ways a union card is the only thing that stands between a worker at a minimum wage job. But I think it's wrong to -- to see that unions haven't responded I think unions are doing is wonderful and exciting things. Again they are organizing immigrants organizing health care and they have stood the line in many important ways and now. I think there in a rebuilding phase right now and it's gonna take some time for early to get back on its feet but this is not a movement that's over and it's been down on its back before and I think what the long view of history gives -- is that just how how strong and resilient they can be. And hopefully will. The apart of -- making these jobs better in the future to get some sense of Britain -- suspect workers in this country remind insulin bread and roses -- And roses comes from a strike in 1912 and Lawrence Massachusetts. For the workers struck. And they have a slogan bread and roses because what the slogan meant was. They wanted that we just enough for them to feed their families to take care of their children but they wanted more they want some dignity and respect. Ability to have a life via community member. So that's slogan bread and roses since it's always the gold standard for working people that we want to some money but we also want that the dignity and respect to have a decent."

" And we're we're just a few days away from Labor Day now and most people probably Labor Day 2009 will be either pick mixer at the beach if so -- permits. Not really thinking about labor on this holiday."

" Absolutely we've seen it become more of a recreational holiday gonna focus on labor but I guess what I'd ask everybody has to look around at the people working. And and give them a sense of of your appreciation for what they do. Com and also talk to them hear their stories I think it's powerful to listen sometimes so when you got a minute in that restaurant or at that toll Booth for. Even at the -- takes it takes some time in the schools voices and see how much state. Resonate with your own."

" services a professor of labor studies at the University of Massachusetts his new CD is the Alter the bottom line. Tom thanks for being let us thank you very much different."

" Stop Ronald to a good. -- little time. Not get up pretty --"

" She uses it. Hearing now is a production of WBUR Boston in association with the BBC world service and PRI's. I'm Deborah if after robbing him will be back tomorrow please join us again. --"