Title: Here and Now for Friday, October 23, 2009

" Support for this podcast comes from America's natural gas alliance. Working to inform the public about the environmental and economic attributes of America's new natural gas. Learn more at mile natural gas dot org."

" now is a production of WBUR Boston in association with the BBC world service and PRI's."

" I'm -- young it's here and now President Obama is calling it an important precedent for Afghanistan democracy. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has agreed to a runoff elections scheduled for November 7. Less than three weeks from today. Yesterday UN backed panel throughout a third of Karzai's votes in the August 20 election. Today the Afghan independent election commission agreed there should be a runoff with former foreign minister of -- of -- Peter Galbraith is the former investor to creation and was deputy head of the UN mission in Afghanistan. Until he was forced out for voicing his concerns about election fried. Investor Galbraith you don't want to gloat but are you feeling vindicated today."

" Well it's it's it's certainly true that what I was saying. From before the elections. -- are at the time of the elections and afterwards has. Turned out to be exactly right. That's -- Side this was an unnecessary crisis if the UN had taken action before the election this I was. Trying to do or had reacted to the fraud earlier. We would not have this prolonged. Crisis that has so paralyzed Afghanistan and so seriously undermined international support for very important mission. In Afghanistan."

" Well given those concerns concerns you expressed during election what's your sense of and election going forward."

" Well at first I think having a runoff election is by far the best outcome. At this point in time there was no good outcome but you have -- have a deal between Karzai -- doctor ability his main challenger. Would not have been a good outcome but now the most important thing is to make sure that the second round. It's not a repeat of the first -- And there are three things that need to be done. The UN needs to stop pretending that the independent election commission. This is the Afghan body that is actually responsible for running the election. Let UN needs to stop pretending that it is independent than anything other than the title. Its members were appointed by Karzai and it being paid an entirely partisan way it needs to be closely supervised. The -- primarily took place in what I called ghost polling station. These ones that were located on a map in places other controlled by the Allopod or so insecure that no observer could go -- a candidate agent could go. And no voter could go hide in try and get them shut down in July but I was overrule. Well now they need to be removed from the rolls this is where the fraud took place in places where there were -- voters but many -- And -- The staff of these so called independent election commission. Who participated in the fraud need to be removed and it's very simple to identify who these people are. In every instance where there was fraud election commission staff. Either committed a fraud. Collaborated with those who commit the fraud or knew about it and failed to reported and so those people need to be replaced. That's going to be difficult in the two weeks between. Now and the holding of elections but it's essential if anybody can have confidence in the fact."

" We haven't even mentioned that as we said yesterday in the program the snows in the mountain -- virtually impossible. To get to some of the areas that would need to vote given all of that do you think that this vote is gonna take place on November 7."

" I think it should take place on November 7 it's a tricky time appear but not an impossible time of the year most of the country is not covered by now."

" seems to me it's better to have an election side then to have this crisis continue if you didn't have the election either you get some kind of deal which I think many Afghans would be used directly. Or simply the crisis continues on the question is who's the process."

" Well and one of the deals mentioned as a power sharing government is president of to a -- or a Loya Jirga traditional Afghan meeting to try to resolve the situation. Did you say that those would be greeted with cynicism."

" I think that a deal would simply divided up jobs would be greeted with -- tennis -- the Loya Jirga that addressed at some of the flaws in the Afghanistan's constitution. I think would be a very welcome development. The problem in Afghanistan is that you have a constitution setting up a very centralized system. Would want to just one really important job the president so it's such. A winner take all the poor one ethnic group the president almost invariably the polished and from the largest group. And so there's no real system look a power sharing what doctor Abdullah has proposed and I am so I think this makes sense. Is that you have a system in which there's an elected prime minister and cabinet chosen by the parliament. The other part of this I think that needs to be considered is instead of very centralized system having -- devolution of power to local. Elected local --"

" But right now as you said it's winner take all in most analysts as you say believe Karzai will be that winner because he. Is a -- to one of the largest ethnic groups so windy and might there be an election on the seventh with the same exact -- com. As the one in August scars as the president in very centralized government."

" That could be the case if it's an honest election that's much better results and then what took place in August. -- I think it's also that we shouldn't kid ourselves it's also important to bear in mind that even if there's an -- vote to end on November 7. But Karzai is not going to escape the -- of the fraud that took place in the first round it comes on top of his running an ineffective. Administration corrupt administration. And now he has the -- of fraud but it will be a much better outcome if he becomes president for another term as a result of an honest election."

" And -- on that summer no Peter Galbraith former deputy head of the UN mission in Afghanistan until he was forced out because of his complaints about fraud in the August election. -- thanks so much for speaking to us."

" More than five million Americans roughly 10% of the industrial workforce are employed by foreign companies in the US. They range from well known Toyota to hardly know an Indian and Chinese companies -- and higher. They are in every state and to lure them local governments routinely dangle huge incentives worth tens even hundreds of millions of dollars. Is worth the expense initially Maynard says. Yes in fact she says not only do these foreign investments create thousands of American jobs they pump billions into economy's strength communities. And -- Americans knew and often better -- to work. Wait a minute what happened by American -- new book is the selling of the American economy how foreign companies are remaking the American dream. She's also senior business correspondent for the New York Times -- spoken many times with her. After her coverage of the car industry and she joins us live from to. Right Mickey welcome I'm -- and as you know these fighting birds in some corners you know. Bit thinking what can anywhere else teach us about working Americans what -- let your member of the movie gun home."

" Which came out a few years ago starring Michael Keaton but it gave the picture of foreigners coming over here to teach us how to do our business and I think in that movie the Americans outsmarted their new owners but. In the case of the foreign companies that -- have invested in the United States they're bringing ideas that Americans have actually gone to other countries to study. But now instead of having to get on a plane and go to Tokyo Oreo com or wherever the factories that built and built here and Americans are being hired to do this job."

" Let's talk a little bit about that part the part that change in the way we work let's start with the story of one worker norm before you know. Who worked at GM for fourteen years at Toyota for ten when you met him Toyota in the US. A little bit about his experience for -- Didn't care about his resume they -- looking for something different in their hiring explain that."

" Actually met him when he was still at General Motors and was considered to be a young rising star at GM and it was the kind of person that they would make available to reporters for interviews and news very popular with the people -- work with. He came over to Toyota and essentially had to start over none of that really matter and although they would not have hired him if he didn't have promise. They were not hiring him to come in and teach General Motors methods to Toyota. On the contrary he was there to learn about Toyota and he went through quite a long and a -- ship which is very very unusual. For an American manager at that point in his career."

" In fact they put managers in situations. Explicitly where they don't have skills and they don't congratulate people for what's right but rather looking for wrong there's Japanese words that are used like Tyson and have a that this again she again but so."

" Yes -- said means continuous improvement and again she give bootsy means go to the spot in other words. Don't wait for someone to come in and say you know this machine broke on the assembly line. You go to the spot you go look at the machinery you go talk to the workers. And say tell me what went -- and tell us what how do you think we should fix this. It's definitely different from the American way of managed."

" You'll and to the extent that there are no executive parking -- no executive dining rooms and the idea -- it really is. Unbelievable that you put a manager where they aren't comfortable certainly have to learn. Along with everybody else what you saying this is Toyota which of course has been much written about you talk about of the company's tata higher. What -- you saying in general that American corporations have an -- wrong."

" American corporations have it -- wrong but I'm saying that they're not the only answer and then not the only answer within the United States. One of the things that greatly surprised me was that foreign companies are in every state and foreign companies. -- played a significant role in manufacturing and very very varied parts of the American economy. Certainly we heard the most about the automobile industry but they're starting to have been an aviation visited. A helicopter plant in Mississippi that's owned by EDS the big French German consortium that you would probably know for owning Airbus. And what I found was that instead of just a few factories here there it's become a part of the American economy. And why do companies want to invest here we don't have cheap labor so why becoming. Well first of all we're still the most attractive consumer market anywhere until China becomes -- affluent as we are. People want to be in the United States that the ability to entered the American market is fairly easily -- We don't -- that we have a -- a history of protectionist rhetoric we don't have a history of protectionism. Except in a few industries. And so it's pretty easy to come over here and then. Very important factor is that. Mayors governors senators are falling over themselves to attract these companies look to Cuba that."

" You know because many have questioned that aspect is of of this you give the example of Haley Barbour then governor of Mississippi who put together a package worth 294. Million dollars in incentives. To a company that amounted to the state paying 147000. Dollars for each of 2000 jobs created spoken Michael Schumann. He's small business guy author of the small -- revolution. He says there's no evidence that money is a major factor in these decisions to bring in big companies with a foreign or domestic. And you even might get more important of these foreign companies. Is the presence of a college in the areas and they get you know high highly educated workers so. Our our Arab states making a mistake in dishing out so much money to these foreign companies."

" I remember when Alabama I was going after its very first car plant and it offered huge package to Mercedes span. And it was a very expensive package in fact at one point the state wasn't going to be able to pay it. And the retirement systems had to have to step it with a short term loan to the state. But after Mercedes-Benz. Came the Honda plant. The Toyota engine plant the Hyundai plant many many parts makers and so. I'm sure of the state of Alabama would say that that original money that they spent for that factors were at all southern states many of the southern states have looked at this obscene. The jobs that Cummins in the new subdivisions that are built the new businesses that come in the new road systems that are built. And they all want a piece of this --"

" Well it's initially -- her new book is the selling of the American economy how foreign companies are remaking the American dream it's quite provocative read. Becoming a lot of questions without unions. Here's one quickly before the break how much of the money that these companies make. And generate actually stays in the country is not a question of their foreign companies young navy hiring American workers but the money they're generating does not go back home. Actually about 49% of it is reinvested in the United States okay well there's the -- to that question that we have many more. Will be that the Mickey Maynard to ask film and ask him about how people small towns are feeling about foreign companies that in my hand on a jingoistic feelings about. Coming to their town. After minute break also later today that other presidential stalemate the one in Honduras that you -- that much about it's later back in a minute hearing now."

" Funding for here and now comes from the math works creators of Matt -- 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 a conversation about. Formed firms doing brisk business in the US with. Mickey Maynard senior business correspondent for the New York Times also author of the new book the selling of the American economy how foreign companies are -- the American dream and the conclusion is that it's an overwhelmingly positive way. And became even talking primarily about a Toyota and the car industry that you Stephenson a wide range of industries hotels T refrigerators finance could you just go. Through a couple of the other successful in examples."

" Well absolutely I'd I don't know who drank it o'clock coffee this morning at 8 o'clock coffee is owned by tata. Which is a very large Indian companies that might be best known to listeners as. The maker of -- not know the 2500 dollar car they also managed the pier hotel in New York City which just got a big renovation. They own what's called the Taj hotel in Boston used to be the Ritz Carlton where. I went to lunch as a young girl with my mother and enjoyed very much and is there a couple of other industries to -- Airbus which is the aviation wing of EADS would like to come in to the United States they want. The Pentagon tanker contract to 35 billion dollar deal limit him in there with a -- we have so many and one of them is about security a lot of people worry that foreign investment. Especially when it gets into things like military contracts is dangerous for the country that it that is concern and there has been some concern in some of the IT deals that have gone through and especially this tanker contract. Which EADS actually won at the beginning and have it overturned by the GAO the general accounting office report. The found flaws in the bidding process Boeing based in Seattle does not want them to have that contract. And they're going to fight very vigorously in the second round of bidding to make sure that a French German company doesn't get it but. If they do get that they want to build a plant in Mobile, Alabama to produce those aircraft."

" That's when the question. Is how small towns feel about embracing. Let's put the name on -- foreigners. At because there's the feeling you know by American globalization is bad and here comes some foreign company -- you tell the story of a man standing up at a Rotary Club and saying I don't want those Japanese here and I believe it was."

" Yes that happened in Georgetown Kentucky which is really kind of the poster child for every community in the country that once the foreign investment. Georgetown Kentucky before Toyota came had a little downtown and one McDonald's. If you visit Georgetown now it looks like that scene in it's a wonderful life at Christmas where. The whole town is lit up there in new restaurants and shopping malls and wal marts and three McDonald's and essentially when it went way to came in there with Japanese executives. They made an effort to go to the Rotary Club and go to Krueger's would be out in the communities so people wouldn't see them as some kind of hidden enemy. An enhanced the end of an adjustment for some people working for foreign companies -- I worked for what I would hurt for the Reuters news service and I remember. Thinking what will London lines and it turned out that didn't really matter what London line it was what mine managers in New York won -- and they were by and large American."

" Well you discovered that what the reasons that these foreign companies so far. Have been so embraced is that they anticipated. Sort of an American pride. And an American. Xenophobia. And they bend over backwards to avoid that which is one of the reasons they've been so successfully mentioned -- binary it's called here in Boston. Making sure to keep that key staffers in place so that the same person's opening the door for you or other other women from the back they were going their for lunch they. They seem to be hyper aware of the needs of the communities they go to."

" And I think it's an awareness that American companies have not always shown when they've built facilities overseas and I've covered the auto industry for many many years and and everyone sort of rotates through over a -- over there wherever there is. And then comes back and you don't have the stability that you might have if managers are hired locally I think that. These companies have a ways to go because it that the leaders at the very top the CEOs and the general managers at some of these factories still tend to be from the home office but. That's definitely changing norm -- of who we talked about earlier at the Princeton Indiana Toyota plant. He's now of vice president of advanced engineering at Toyota for North America so. People are being hired trained in promoted."

" Well here's an issue especially with the car industry. You write these these -- says Toyota plans for instance one in Williamstown Kentucky really appealing 80000 people applying for 2000 jobs. But these are not union jobs and you're saying that the culture that's being created. Is sort of not leading to an embrace of unions because the workers are so happy they're treated. And as you're your take on that they there there opinion is respected and they haven't seen the need for unionization. But aren't they paid less -- but let's let's be clear about how what's the pay difference between. Some of these foreign companies and American. Corporations because it was somewhat -- did during the collapse of the car industry months ago."

" That's right if you look just at the Toyota plant in Georgetown Kentucky the workers there make about three dollars an hour less in pay just pay. Then workers in Detroit made before they've made it big concessions as part of the bailouts. They were making an average of this is all it including the value of benefits in the future value pensions. At about 73 dollars an hour and it was less for workers at Toyota. It was more in the range of the high forties who now this isn't that the people say this is an unfair comparison because. The union contracts included these legacy cost like pensions and health care. There were -- to be paid after retirement such costs are not paid by the -- the other car companies. They offer for a one K plan some two offers some pensions but it isn't anything like what workers got -- to try. But the thing is there a lot fewer workers at Detroit car plants in the -- war and these foreign car plants by and large are still higher."

" Well and their pledging in many cases not to to let go full time workers -- we only have a minute left here. So let's say that we go but they may be used on the road. They may say you Mickey Maynard are drinking accrue late hit fifty in embracing so much you know you say this they are overwhelmingly positive for the US what did you say to people still. A little fearful of so much foreign investment in us."

" You know I would say what governor grand home in Michigan his Democrat would say what governor Barbour of Mississippi is a Republican would say. And that is jobs are jobs. And down the road when America the American economy recovers we can talk a lot about a lot of the use of other issues. But if companies are willing to come in build factories and invest here I think we should take the jobs -- maybe teach them how to do."

" Some things and you point out younger generations many of them don't even know Toyota. He's not an American born company that's Mickey Maynard the selling and the American economy health foreign companies are making the American dream is her latest book Nikki thinks is going. Thank you -- a pleasure."

" Support for here and now comes from the listeners of WBUR Boston where the program is produced. Hinckley Allen and Snyder were partners have been giving clients practical legal advice for over a hundred years throughout new England and now including Connecticut. Online it has -- dot com. And the Institute of Contemporary Art on Boston's waterfront presenting the work of a diverse range of contemporary artists performers and more. Ice CA Boston dot org. You may have heard."

" those climate change activists who claim to be members of the business friendly US chamber of commerce. They send out press releases that actually got reported. And held a fake news conference yesterday at the National Press Club claiming the chamber was reversing its position and would now back legislation on climate change. Sadly real chamber of commerce official burst in --"

" Please. Aaron wolf let alone US chamber of commerce. This is not an official US chamber of commerce event I don't know what we can -- hear. What is it brought in a press activity and -- stuff."

" It has been a tough time for the chamber the Obama administration is marginalized in the group because of its opposition not only to current climate change legislation. But also health care reform and a proposed consumer financial protection agency. And big companies like apple in the energy companies PG&E an excellent has left the group or as a CEO of California consulting firm put it. The cool kids are leaving the room. So clueless that chamber of commerce and is different from your local chamber of commerce Michael shear covers the White House for the Washington Post Michael start there. Who has the US chamber of commerce."

" We -- it's interesting it it's. Different then the local chambers in a lot of -- good the national chamber is a group represented about 300000. Mostly big corporations -- Coca-Cola. But I'm not gonna bring -- you know an established group of people here who have been lobbying congress for decades. Local chambers of course -- independent represent the smaller businesses injured community in the can bury you don't. Local media are. Are pretty conservative group became more moderate or liberal group -- business interest but it it's been a real thing."

" Right some local groups one and back more local businesses some wanna bring in chains but it is a local group as opposed to this nationwide lobbying group they're not actually connected. And press Obama has been very pointed in his remarks to the national lobbying group."

" Yeah -- an example and incident the other day when beat. National chamber had run ads questioning the consumer protections. Efforts -- the president is doing it and saying that somehow the local butcher. In a community was going to be affected of course the president then called that totally -- and -- you know there's very few butchers the provide financial services at all but what after the chamber bird and -- like half a billion dollars on lobbying over the last decade."

" Cool and is president Obama's seeing an opening here because as we've said. The -- seem to be losing support from but not just this one company in California but what others including Republicans are calling. The cool kids the cool companies seem to be reading."

" Well I mean it can't overstate it means that there's been -- defection which it does a pretty powerful. Group but I think what the administration is trying to do now that the chamber as opposed. Large swapped his agenda healthcare bills or predatory regulation of energy efforts president is trying mark analyzed records and look we don't -- used the chamber -- would -- as we can draw on president Obama's appeal and invite. You know at some of so many of former members particularly invite you directly to White House and then -- tree damage that we're going to get --"

" Well in fact we've talked to a CEOs of businesses who have into the White House and they've been organized by groups like. The US climate action partnership. And the -- series CEO RES which is founded the pros sustainability group business for innovative climate and energy policy. Now you say that this that US chamber of commerce is still pretty healthy still has. A lot of members but do you see a time when the of the chamber might be replaced by one of these other groups."

" Well I think it'll copy that and that's gonna happen any time soon I mean it to be trying to establish groups have an inertia especially here in Washington where. Let it sit yeah -- change groups are good at that mimic them back again do you think that organizations survive the good have to shift a little with that and that it will be Tracinda beat. So -- but it would have done that but but it'll be interesting to see whether they do."

" Well and as you've been saying some of the winds are coming from within you know so it has this has changed to."

" Yes absolutely and you know the climate change being -- a really interest being able you have a company like apple very low debt it. And so what a company like that. Says look chamber works is gonna. Quit. You know that that has real loud echo other business decision not sure has opened by the chamber. Thinking long and hard about what the movie."

" But this year White House correspondent for the Washington Post Michael thanks so much. Yeah we -- your thoughts on this or any story to our web site here now dot org and click on contact us. To send an email they can schooled and leave a comment right there on the homepage here and now like."

" Central America was a major front in a Cold War way back in the 1980s and ninety's. While it may be again the political stalemate in Honduras is being read as a proxy fight between the US on one side and Cuba and Venezuela on the other. In Honduras from -- Mitchell that he assumed the presidency in June after a military backed court. Ordered it coup deposed the country's left leaning in cowboy hat wearing president Jose -- will Salina. The court claiming -- tried to change the constitution. To hold on to power. But some observers say is a -- as downfall has more to do with his support of the working man he recently raised the minimum wage. Since the -- the Obama administration has suspended foreign aid to hundreds in protest of its allies ouster. But in a faxing sidebar veterans of the Cold War have hired Washington lobbyists for the new Honduran government. And Republican senator Jim demand from South Carolina defied the administration. And made a trip to Honduras in support of the -- He's also holding up Obama's nominations for top diplomatic posts in the region. Jane Erikson is senior associate at the inter American dialogue he's also author of the Cuba wars Fidel Castro of the US in the next revolution. He joins us from the studios of the Christian Science Monitor in Washington. -- have all of this in perspective for us how big a story is this."

" Well what's interesting is -- terrorist really is not a central issue in US the foreign policy towards Latin America. However. In the last several months you really have seen this emerge into a major clash. A -- between Republicans and Democrats in Washington. As well as having other actors in the region such as. Brazil Venezuela's Hugo Chavez Fidel Castro and others jump into the game all trying to shape perceptions of the outcome."

" We grim -- report that when one of these so called work. Warriors. Policymakers from the eighties. In support of the -- Organized a meeting for members of the Senate there was a surprise turn out one attendees saying I've never seen so many senators in one room to talk about Latin America and my entire career."

" What is behind that I think what you have here is there's are a major level interest in Honduras because it. Amok Mel's -- the scenery a very close ally of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. -- 40 one's alive it was overthrown. There are many Republicans who dislike Hugo Chavez and their -- sought the overthrow Salina it was a good thing. And they were surprised and chagrin to see the Obama administration. A step forward and say no the removal of an elected president by the military is no longer acceptable. And calling for his allies return as president of Honduras and so that really precipitated a major cleavage between Republicans and Democrats in Washington. In recent months that hasn't had major are repercussions in Honduras itself. Where by the government revert to -- let me. Has found such steadfast support among some conservative leaders in the United States that he really doesn't see the need to make concessions."

" In fact he said Jim dement define John Kerry who are -- not to make a trip to visit the president that the US is not backing but he went anyway. Why is the Obama administration. Backing Zelaya outside of what you mentioned because didn't he -- accused by the country's Supreme Court try to change the constitution to stay in power."

" It's clear that's why does not have clean hands on this. He is someone who did indeed try to overruled the supreme court of this country and allowing four was as this current isn't a referendum it was in fact to non binding poll. About whether Honduras should hold a constitutional assembly to draft a new constitution and along the way he made a lot of enemies however the fact is that -- woken up at 5 in the morning -- a Honduran military still has the jam has placed on a military plane. And are forced out of the country. And I think that's really worthy objection is of both on the part of on restoration and Latin America more broadly."

" Will mean miles alliance has since it's snuck back in the country he's being kept in the Brazilian embassy. Since last month we see pictures of him sleeping on -- This cowboy hat over his face. And and the US as we said has held up any aid to Honduras. What's doing to the country because this is the poorest in the and one of the force in in the world. How is only impacting this country."

" terrorists are like most of Central America is going through one of the worst economic recessions in recent memory and so clearly this is -- very much -- that the government there at the same time Honduras is also had -- its trade relations with other Central American countries disrupted. Because many of its neighbors have condemned the coup. What you've seen as a classic case for political instabilities really worsening economic situation. And of course that hurts the -- most."

" Always is gonna happen presidential elections are scheduled for the end of November. We in -- is hoping to just hang on to the interim seat until then and in hopes that after the election this'll. Blow over. What's your sense of what's gonna happen."

" Time is not on the -- side. The fact is that you do have the elections coming up at the end of November. -- and at that point if there are held maturities term draw to an and then three very hard to make the case. For July its return to to the presidency I just be clear it would constitutionally he can't continue into the next term yes it's critically. And so neither mature lady -- is a liar would be allowed to our remaining in the presidency past January when the new president is due to be inaugurated."

" And does the US just accept the results of the election and say nevermind -- the stoppage they knew what we think this goes."

" Right now by declaring that the United States and other countries in the region will not recognize the Honduran elections. Of this has been used as a source of a leverage over Mitchell Eddy however once the elections have been held. It's not clear whether in the US interest to continue punishing the successor government -- that they the elections offer on the one hand a potential solution to the Honduran crisis. On the other hand they could prolong it further king."

" Erickson senior associate at the nonpartisan inter American dialogue think tank in Washington author of the -- borrowers Fidel Castro of the US in the next revolution. Again given that quick question about Cuba as we said some see this debate over Honduras is sort of a proxy debate over Cuba and Venezuela. President Obama has eased restrictions on Cuban Americans traveling in sending money to Cuba. But he's also said that the trade embargo should stay in place until Cuba releases political prisoners and improves human rights. Is there any thing that's happening in Honduras that's perhaps tied to. Changing some of those stands on Cuba."

" US policy towards Latin America remains very messy and I think that while the engagement with Cuba is seen as a positive step for much of Latin America. At the same time there's a real sense of unease. About how this situation Honduras has escalated and I think it's what -- soon as it's very difficult even today in 20094. Republicans and Democrats in Washington. To come together for a bipartisan defense of democracy in the hemisphere. The fact is the -- intentions of the Cold -- still with us and still are dominated much of the political debate --"

" America. Dennis Erickson thanks so much shirt -- reviewed it. His head into the break here's a couple of stories in the high playing here and now we -- a minute Eric Carr's legacy she's not getting the Hollywood treatment. Analysts secret animal psychologist Irene -- about her late friend Alex -- parents and her current -- expects. Had this week tomorrow look at the secret lives of classical composers -- list -- a bit of a ladies man to be Cheney. Who stole this church's organ pipes and sold them for scrap. To know that. That's tomorrow second minute here and now."

" Some news stories were filing for use. The Supreme Court today decided to hear the case of the we editors the group of Chinese Muslims. Being held at Guantanamo Bay detention center even though the panic on no longer considers -- threat. The Obama administration had urged the court to stay out of the case saying diplomatic efforts were underway. To find a home for the weaker it's but now the court will hear their case early next year. And Dutch politician geared guilders who has outraged Muslims by comparing the Koran to Adolf Hitler's -- Will address Temple University students tonight despite protests Muslim students at temple plan to protest the event. Which was organized by a student group called. Purpose."

" Yeah."

" Question what mothers see her young children. When she knows she's about to -- will be over an open or -- or. -- frank -- 25 years old now reading a letter written to him and his three Brothers by the mother -- Farrell. Before she died of aids in 1989."

" You would make me -- North and it's so smart. -- the care -- so. We think they're happy. They couldn't -- can."

" But somehow -- words were lost in the painful years after her death until the boy's father Ronald dug them out of storage just recently. Theirs is a story about a family that might have been in except for -- photojournalist David binder tells an in his new documentary calling my children. David spent nearly every day of two years with scale and Ronald and the boys. Docking in their lives in the Boston neighborhood of mission hill until her death. He returned to update their story the result as the new documentary and David joins us in the studio with more welcome home run. You know we see in the film pictures that you took back then in the early eighties these beautiful -- Affiliate had some struggles that it still seemed like such a family. Would you frying. In almost ridiculously."

" The family in -- death had disintegrated. Copiers past and so Ronald father. Tried his best to maintain its immediate single father for children. And through that process. The kids when he years plus are now all young adults with this common. Tragedy in their lives."

" Where's the family now we understand that Ronald dad is an assistant teacher in the area. The oldest son Ronald junior was recently released from prison he was held their awaiting arraignment on arms possession charges but those charges. Have since been dropped. What about the other --"

" And frank who's the signal this is going to return to college towns -- after a year or so at Boston College. And the two canteen -- are in Boston Kenny is married and Kenny is engaged in they are expecting their first round of."

" And at least one of them I think it was skinny. Angry. About this angry still."

" He's a little tough guy. You know when he might put on a little more than he is."

" Frank on the other hand the second oldest son entering new tough -- infect a staggering moment in the film. Really has a little found -- picture and he's sobbing tears falling off his face. As he reads the letter that we just heard those sentences we just heard McCarthy said. I notice then. But he did know at some point he had heard her complain."

" His father was surprised to hear that frankly T he never saw of that letter until that moment. His father remembers that he showed -- a letter. But unfortunately frankly too young to remember it and his father. Can have good realization that perhaps the -- was too young and Ronald."

" Didn't revisit that with frank Wright because Ronald her father. Began to succumb to drug and alcohol problems that kids went to live with scales mom. Flew more about her as -- he spent his time with her she probably contracted. -- through blood transfusion for cervical cancers in 83. What was she like when you met her ladies."

" She was a devoted mother doting on her children and the heightened awareness that she had that she had. Increasingly little time spent with them was all that she was focused on issues that."

" She didn't go to the hospital as much as doctors wondered too because she wants from time -- can't yeah her she she and her doctor became very close and."

" He stopped trying after awhile to. Yeah encourage her to stay in the hospital because he knew he would lose that conversation. And -- he came home as much as possible."

" Despite pain and even attentive care to be their kids getting ready for -- birthday parties while cleaning up camcorders. What ever took. At a time when we should say the stigma around aids. Was was enormous this was before Magic Johnson it -- as a marker. Did she tell you that she was concerned about the film staying again."

" She did and in the letter that she left her husband she tells him that she knows that she can count on him to keep the family together and and to -- to maintain the dreams and hopes that they had together for their kids."

" But he was furious at. The hospital that gave her blood transfusion -- god for allowing her to get sick let's listen to a little of him describing now how he felt."

" I would. Think you know how I can go down and blow up city hospital. Well how want to find out who gave them polite and what I would consider. Put how to line note that depression and he would look -- really was okay using drugs Howland noted that person in view -- it."

" Can you distinguish yet. And this -- didn't help when he took up drugs alcohol. He said he didn't do you with the family. That's right when you -- photographing them that after she -- he went deep into alcohol and drugs and even left his kids home to go out and Celtics."

" I trying to. The changes I want to get saint pain she."

" Because actually and so -- reminder that can't have been good for the voice."

" You know he became an instant single father of four little boys and he did the best you couldn't. For what ever once a year or two after he lost the love of his life. And that he lost it he just couldn't do it anymore he had no personal time to grieve and he felt as though he deserved all of the pain. That -- went through."

" Well and he didn't do it feel instructed him to do until it may might be too late she -- your strong men get help if you need help he didn't. And now though it seems as if he is responding to those words of almost two decades ago. Did it seem Tina that when you went back this time that. That was his intent to try to bring his -- back together to try to help them understand what happened in their family yeah sure yeah eighties it's a long process of him -- intentional of that as it's a long process for kids to come to terms with the loss of their mother. What's your sense of what this moments gonna do for them."

" That's the question we don't know do we. Franks an amazing guy frank at five years old is the man who took -- his mother began his father was -- work his older brother was in school. And his younger Brothers -- two and a half years old. And frank grew into -- caretaker of the entire family and he's gonna affect college. His girlfriend just graduated from Boston university school public companies their masters and I guess I expect great things from him."

" And even though this horrible pain we see him in as if he -- mean he really he. Loved him this much he didn't know these words even though he might have heard them when he was a little kid or."

" He actually has always known and he's he has been the most connected to his mother because of that time they spent together -- his five years old. And it's all validation to him. Reading that letter and hearing his mother talked to him like that he's gotten that confirmation of everything that he spelled in connection to his mother."

" It's dated binder his new documentary film is calling my children. He tells of her father and four boys who lost the mother and within 98 and 1980s the film recently won first prize for best documentary short. Put the Athens international film and video festival and the rocks through film festival here in Massachusetts. David thanks so much for time -- and I would really thanks for your interest."