Source: PRI: Here & Now Podcast

Here and Now for Friday, October 30, 2009

Title: Here and Now for Friday, October 30, 2009

Published: Fri, 30 Oct 2009

Description: 9/11 Linked Passport Discovered in Pakistan Rosanne Cash and The List Afghanistan Biotech Companies and Health Care Reform Listener Letters The Death of Edgar Allen Poe

Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.
+

Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)

" 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."

" Here now is a production of WBUR Boston in association with the BBC world service and PRI. I'm Robin Young."

" It's here and now today's Detroit Free Press reports that most Michigan hospitals have received far fewer swine flu vaccine doses then ordered. But in Texas officials in the Houston area say there's so much swine flu vaccine they can now loosen restrictions on just who gets it. Well yesterday top Obama administration officials acknowledged problems with production. Of the vaccine and they reported 351 schools in nineteen states close last week alone. With widespread outbreak now in 46 states let's check in with doctor William Shatner and infectious disease expert at the Vanderbilt medical center in Tennessee. In Philadelphia this week for the annual meeting of the infectious disease society of America how timely that -- after let's start there is this what everyone's talking about."

" Oh Robin you can be sure everybody's talking about that they're comparing notes about how extensive the outbreak is in there are different communities and how every institution. Is coping and and they're all wondering where is the vaccine. Some folks have vaccines some little summer still expecting shipman."

" What was sitting reports today that. The manufacturers had promised that there would be certain doses in and they kept cutting back on. How much they can actually achieve and the Obama administration is being criticized for over promising. But Tom Lyons whose health specialists here in Boston writes an Op -- today in a Boston Globe saying. The problem is in the way we make vaccines we make them from hands and eggs and the effort should be in the future. Are being put into changing the way we actually make the vaccine."

" Well I think we ought to cut everyone a little bit of slack the ease -- virus grows slowly and takes this particular strain and and that has been the major problem with. Production. Looking forward. These companies and the Food and Drug Administration are looking at. New ways to produce influenza vaccine there's been more research into influenza vaccine in the last five years and has been in the previous fifty."

" Well let's talk about the vaccines that are out there many are finding out that there are different forms and not everyone can take them for instance the nasal injection the most common form. Who can't take that."

" Well let's say who can first every one caged. -- to up until their fiftieth birthday who otherwise healthy is eligible for the nasal spray vaccine but that does mean. That people who have underlying illnesses particularly asthma and -- compromised. Cannot take that actually."

" But we understand to a pregnant women can't take the nasal."

" Women should not take potential. That's correct they should get the injectable vaccine and injectable supplies are arriving as we speak."

" And while some towns are clamoring. For the vaccine. So schools are finding that parents are opting out the New York Times reports today that in New York City. In once school only thirty kids had permission slips parents quoted saying they're not sure that it's safe. So we have several questions here first -- is the swine flu vaccine as tested for safety as let's say an ordinary flu vaccine."

" Actually yes there are different people with different impressions but these swine flu vaccine is tested just as rigorously effect more so. Then the regular seasonal thanks I think of it. We give over ninety million doses of regular seasonal influenza vaccine annually this must be the safest vaccine that we use and VH one N one vaccine is produced exactly the same way."

" Another thing -- parents are quoted saying as well my child had swine flu last spring so they're immune now is that true."

" That would be true if the parents -- definitively. A child at this point if the child were not tested. Then we wouldn't be sure and we certainly would recommend that -- action."

" Can still do overall if so many parents do opt out an Emory University study a flu -- in Japan. Concluded that -- 50% of kids are vaccinated. The entire community risk drops by two thirds."

" Yes of course well -- if if children don't get vaccinated they didn't. As individuals remain susceptible to disease and the spread of the virus and can continue in the community."

" Well and -- chef there you say this is all the buzz at the infectious disease society of America meeting that your act. So -- put this in context for us we hearing over 300 schools closed widespread outbreaks put that in context how serious is that in your mind."

" Well we are having a serious influenza outbreak right now this is very usual time of the year. We should take advantage of the vaccine when it arrives the swine flu virus is getting. Active in many parts of the country and is just gaining -- I think we are going to seek continued transmission. School closings throughout this month and it to November."

" Well of course we spoke before this program about this issue we've been told that one of the sciences if the child in particular feels. Very very sick and feel a little bit better and then has severe respiratory problems and you may turn a little bluish. Under the island that are on their fingers mean they're just not getting oxygen forcing you know these terrible reports have. People being put into induced Comas and -- put on respirators. How often does that happen. And what should people do what's the first thing that they should do where we're hearing that immediately. You should try to get Tamiflu so if -- give us a little advice."

" We should -- can't assist that pregnant women and people with underlying illnesses -- asthma diabetes heart lung disease. They should have a relationship with their positions such that the moment they become sick they call their position and can begin treatment. Others should do them monetary themselves their patients very very carefully and if there's any sort of turn for the worse than me. Immediately seek medical attention because anti viral treatment is available."

" SF doing shaft and infectious disease expert at the Vanderbilt medical center in Nashville Tennessee be speaking to us. From the infectious disease society of America annual meeting taking place renowned Philadelphia so doctor -- after thanks for taking the time. We're trying thank you."

" Americans. We think of ourselves as frontiers been willing to pull up stakes in cross oceans and continents. For new opportunities in a better life whether like covered wagon -- jet plane. But our next guest says in reality of becoming far less nomadic. Consider -- in the 1970s as many as one in five Americans moved every year. By 2006 it was one in seven now that sounds like a lot but it's the smallest number since the Census Bureau started tracking movement back in 1940. And that trend has really accelerated in recent years as houses are tougher to selling job harder to find to move to. Something else may be going on. One of the conversation David economist and geography until -- who calls this the new localism he's a presidential fellow in urban studies that. Urban futures rather at Chapman university and author of the upcoming book the next hundred million Americans and tiny fifty. He joins us from the studios of KPCC in Pasadena California. Until welcome. Nice to be here and you're soaking in historian an urban historian of how we move about and where we live. You -- that nothing 21 century America's going to be as surprising. As our new -- goodness and -- yeah surprising because we we you know we've been long told. He were bowling alone were traveling in our own little iPods. Society undermined by a you know mobility social racing."

" I think there are several things going on one major factories were simply getting older and demographers basically knows that as people get older they actually move less often. -- picking up his son birds and moving to the -- Well I think it's been very interesting is that there's somewhat less of that than there was before. People are. On finding other places to go on or in many cases are staying home the one of the interesting things you see for instance in suburbs now. Is people are aging in place of this idea that well you know when she turned 55 and your kids round of the house you know you'd. Grow pony tail get apportioned move downtown. That probably isn't really have very much time and if you almost any to the older suburban community you'll see a lot of people in the 60s70s. Even eighties holding on to their houses. 'cause that's where they are that's where their kids come to visit. That's with their churches that's where their roots are. And so I think that we really had this idea that everybody was gonna move out at age sixty either into the sun belt or maybe move. Out into the -- urban core. And although many do. Fewer than we."

" Not to attract insects birds play a big role in your thinking we'd all know that -- jobs have been moving to the suburbs to these big office parks. But that's for many people are all also staying and working from home telecommuting. One in ten in the San Francisco Bay Area an LA already doing it and you quoted demographer. Saying that in the future so many people going to be working electronically at home full time on the Internet. Rather than taking mass transit that it's gonna be an enormous energy saving."

" Or I think it's probably the great. Certainly environmental opportunity the next ten to twenty years as people working. Full time or part time at home or. Being able to work closer to where they live and I think that's another big trend of people or really interest -- and trying to figure out ways that they can accommodate their personal. Life with their work life you know the last hundred years is really historical exception -- week. Accepted the idea that we would spend a long period of time commuting by car bus. Or trained to work. Actually. Through most of history people didn't go very -- to work on. Of course they initially they had to walk. And I think you're gonna see more more people doing that. Full time part time I think you're gonna see a lot of that -- With young families particularly on women who were in the workforce and then they wanna go back to work work part time. But they would be much better for them if much of the time they did the work from home."

" Great and ended their going to be less willing to uproot the family. As to climb the corporate ladder that's gonna have an impact on the corporate world but how else does this affect us this fact that we're. Not gonna face. The kind of social fragmentation that you writer Robert Putnam wrote about you bowling alone. Or. And that Vance Packard wrote about you you quote him in his 1972 best seller nation of strangers this idea that instead we're going back to community. Look at what what kind of communities -- gonna look like."

" I think community is going to come in a lot of shapes and in the United States is vastly diverse country. But I think you'll see that will be communities for instance that are. In some cases that they will be tied together by their strong religious. Sensibility in other cases it will be cultural and other senses. It will be cause I rural and some areas it will be very urban. But whether you're in Brooklyn -- and Grand Forks, North Dakota this idea that your community really matters at this is a huge part of your life. Thank you shop and do things in your community I think is going to be increasingly. Something that will be at this center of people's lives and I think it's a the very exciting development both environmentally but I would even say more importantly socially -- that. The event that may god but I mean I just think that that's socially people. -- will be on in their communities they won't be wasting an hour at going to and from work the way they had been. And so in many ways we'll have more time to participate in community activities whether there of in in terms of promoting the environmental working and in a church or or helping with the kids who have -- I have problems in school. And I think this is the only way that a country is going to 500 million more people is going to be able to function environmentally and socially we we have to sort of do we and to this different -- and and you'll thank goodness I think we have this. -- technology which allows that to happen and promotes that happening."

" Well another thing that might be having an impact is the economy although the Commerce Department announced today the recession is over and -- If you're feeling that where you are but obviously the economy factors in this into this as well and you say the new localism is very good for local economies people. And spending more time at their local restaurants. Going into local places as opposed to feeling that they have to reach outside the urban just torrential cocky in talking about why Americans. -- become less willing to move and what that means for us we'll take a look we come back at what it means in the area of politics more about what it means in business. And what about what it means in some cities like Kansas City he says hey you already got against getting had a great city why are you trying to turn it into. Another kind of city for -- for more about that after minute break here now."

" 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 our conversation with urban historian Joe -- can. We've been speaking with him about his recent essay for Newsweek in -- he analyzes several trends to find that after decades of frantic mobility and homogenization. We receive we are seeing a return to place and is still haven't got that right placements."

" Place the CIA itself I think it's really something that you see in all sorts of places I mean for its I was just in Mobile, Alabama. And they're picking a tremendous amount of pride now -- in their history their rebuilding their downtown. And and in that they are going in restoring -- their old buildings. I falling almost every place that there's a sense of a usable past the front of an identity with -- I also find this interestingly enough. Our inner city like Los Angeles which you'd think it is the epitome of a place that is place last. And yet what you find as many neighborhoods now are designating themselves a special areas. Of people or a re discovering neighborhood shopping armed districts where it when -- first came to LA in 1975. It just seemed like one almost seamless. On mobile area of development with very little distinct of this and I think that distinctive this is becoming more and more important to people whether it's. On Long Island or in neighborhoods in Brooklyn or and I'll be here in Los Angeles. -- a great sense of of identity. With a place that you live in and on and this it is really a appoint a strong factor almost every city I go to."

" Well but you have a caution for at least one Andy just came back from the Kansas City area. And and and you say that this is a place. Principal Kansas City is in what you call a zone of sanity this is a swathe of the country he say it starts somewhere in Texas and runs through much of the great plains. Where what it's just more -- for people. Stable."

" Well I think basically what can use the terms on -- Saturday because they didn't have the crazy housing bubble. And so although -- to a -- yeah yeah I mean there were there relatively few for closure if you do a foreclosure map you'll see. There's promote the only a few areas that had high levels of foreclosures. You didn't have the boom bust cycle that you had let's say in Arizona Nevada California. Or again. And to some extent in the northeast as well. So. That's part of the Senate and it's a place where the cost of living is much lower. On the economy's been generally more stable. And with the quality of life -- in a place like Kansas and I was just there recently. What is surprisingly good from there it is good urban amenities of their very pleasant suburbs."

" Where they are not surprised at all have you polygamy lung of Kansas City but you say. You know their of people there who want it to be something else something more like a great coastal city you're saying. There wasting money on projects to make themselves. Into another city can give -- example and."

" Well it's a kind of you know locker room -- that goes on with a lifetime civic -- have judgments they while they've got light rail we have to have light rail. All of the they have to have no big Condo development downtown we have to have it and the fact of the matter is that the new cities world will evolve organically. There have been some very nice urban development that of taken place organically in Kansas City. And -- sometimes when you ought officially try to create a sort of hip cool urban buzz. You actually disrupt that -- very organic growth that was already taking place. And basically got to say -- want to people moved to Kansas City you know they are moving there they are moving they are moving their growth via. And the reason is basically affordability. -- certainly in the areas outside of the city itself. Please -- Johnson County on where it was very recently and cross the -- in Kansas. One of the highest percentages of educated people in the country very low crime rate. Very strong economy. People go there to live -- lifestyle that if they were doing this in a suburb of Boston that was similar or New York -- LA. It would be 234 times more expensive. So people understand that there are some very great values in these communities -- But there's always going to be a group who. One when pressed for their friends who visit from New York without understanding that what's most impressive are the things that authority there."

" In fact -- we started discover station with your whole thesis that people aren't moving as much they are. Finding much to love right where they are by an astonishing number actually was staying in place. And you know one of the problems of the evaluating cities is that you know people make the lists of looking at. What the best in the worst that they look at the wrong things weren't they looking at."

" While I think too many analysts don't will get a affordability. Quality of life is something that that is affordable and -- we -- the people of if I can take my house in the San Fernando Valley and put it on the corner of you know 74 in Central Park west. I can take that deal but there's no way I could ever afford that if I moved to New York. I'm really talking about may be exchanging of a pleasant thousands San Fernando Valley for. A one bedroom Condo in a not very nice area. So I think that it that first all of the affordability then the question of isn't a place that not just when you're in your twenties and thirties and early thirties is great global be a good place when your in your forties and fifties. Those factors -- we go through different periods of our lives. What areas are able to accommodate a stronger and then if you take a look at -- surveys of what are mattered to people. Usually find things like privacy. Security. On the bright at the top of the list now do people want to be able to war to an -- shopping district sure they do. And if they can get that with privacy security in space they'll do it. Com and opponents are going well I just think that -- that are very expensive all of those that provide all those things and so are for a bumper."

" Is here put in the -- that we have -- this idea of the new localism the fact that remorse settled that people are looking for different things that won't keep them in a place rather something that will. Move them out just a few seconds we have how does this change that we look at politics."

" Why thinker and a sort of strange period in American politics leave previous administration left -- some of them are pretty bad -- And that there -- was an immediate need and a desire for Washington to come and help solve certain problems. But I think if you go longer term. I think that the people in America are profoundly local and would like to solve their problems. As much as possible on the local level. And to have democracy be closer to them as opposed to."

" Further away still local politics will be even more important than ever that some urban mr. -- kayak and about why Americans are moving less. He don't think is so much for giving us this snapshot of where we are aware we're staying put actually shall thank you. Thank you very much his upcoming book the next hundred million Americans in 2050. He's also executive editor -- new geography dot com check it out here and now."

" 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 --"

" Secretary of state Hillary Clinton faced a crowd of skeptical university students at the government college in Lahore Pakistan today. It's a trip designed to shore up the US image but that's a tough sell students suggested the US is forcing Pakistan to use military force on its own country. Clinton said Pakistan has no choice."

" The terrorists are a small but deadly group must be defeated. Because otherwise. They put so much of what has been worked for for so many years at risk."

" The questions from the students today reflect a growing wave of anti American sentiment in Pakistan. The BBC's -- my apple has this report from Islamabad."

" Okay it's. Okay."

" You know what -- and beats Pakistan's largest religious party jamaat. He's getting another press conference in his -- America go to war."

" Americans aren't that this that this country this society should trees and Ironkey. Let's say that then nukes. And economically viable and remembered as the hardest bottom and insecure hands -- So some international adding that should be -- from that United Nations are coming so they aren't. -- price -- promoting its. Nuclear program."

" Once mr. -- goes on stoke anger as American drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas and that it planned expansion of the US embassy in Islamabad. It is not just Islamist politicians. You've been part of this -- new wave of anti Americanism."

" It's been out of -- training facility called governor talk this out on the meet up if you look at how that ahead. McCain is this cloud -- Clinton did on capitol."

" Tool on GMT team is one of the most influential US talk shows in the country. -- public via it's been accused of fueling anti Americanism booed by the Stein is an -- America. Both shows -- the inflection and other -- of but the -- animosity towards the US seems to increase since congress passed a bill widely known as the carry you could go. Which promises massive injection of aid to Pakistan but with conditions attached which many here feel -- reasonable. From the media says it's not his job to defend it."

" This it could -- legal sense but. To getting a little bit of democratic rule on board don't want by the sun into this gift so this is the -- and -- and it's very easy for -- You'll become the darling of watching don't know the darling of the US investor but then I've had become a villain forego my viewers and the common people in Pakistan."

" Washington says its agreement is meant to strengthen ties. And help Pakistan and deal with its considerable militant threat so terrifically apparent in the recent series of attacks right across the country."

" We'll just a few steps away is precisely this book will last week a suicide bomber blew himself up. Just at the entrance of the pills cafeteria here at the Islamic university in Islamabad now some of the women. Students are returning here laying flowers lights and candles leaving messages for those who died. He was the ton of them that claimed responsibility for that attack that -- with the students' anger is being directed."

" And -- and they need into that and it is disappointing but yeah so these underneath that and it is spreading anti. I'm not I'm not spreading then he's got everybody's telling Clinton and bush. Elites and we have -- defended him any good thank you like sleeping bag and it got is doing engine on."

" Is an issue -- he's got an emotional mr. Murphy is the head of the Americas department. The institute of strategic studies in Islamabad he says blaming America for the country's ills is the easy way out."

" The Americans of their own interest they did they have dead notched an interest and it demo link and in terms of securing -- those interest. I would not be Indian Americans -- and I would not be --"

" Americans fought our shortcomings. Because some of them have been on creations."

" Much of the resentment towards the US stems from an historic feeling. The America uses Pakistan when it wants an abandoned that the feeling is strong once again. But the White House is investing heavily in this crucial international relationship. Knowing that the stakes the -- calling for it to fail."

" The BBC's of the -- in Islamabad Pakistan. But take a second look ahead tomorrow I'm hearing now when Roseanne cash was eighteen her dead Johnny gave her a list of songs. He thought she should know now she's recorded some fun."

" Tomorrow Rosanne Cash on the list you're listening to -- name."

" The second woman writer ever hired at late night with general David Letterman is speaking out. No school bell said she never had a relationship with them and that when other staffers did. -- just something she now knows that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission calls sexual favoritism. Which can produce a hostile work environment demean other women and and no -- that's pretty much how she felt in fact when Letterman asked her why she was leaving the show she said she could even talent because one of his rumored girlfriends was within earshot. We're all familiar with the hullabaloo over lemons revelation that he had office affairs and in the victim of an alleged extortion plot. But now melts the bill says she'd like to shift the focus from the bedroom to the writers' room where there are far too few women. Her article appears on vanity fair's web sites since she's become a veteran T writer working on shows like monk and CN AS and Murphy Brown. And notes about joins us from California first of all why decide to write about this."

" And it journalists got started in that field and I blog for Vanity Fair on a weekly basis that that's my home it's been my home since 1988. So it was very strange as a journalistic I'm myself with inside knowledge of the story and I. And I over. Whether this stepped forward you know people think I'm cashing in I didn't make it that -- I would from a normal blog and people pick up after fame and -- a -- the last thing -- for anyone can edit these cells."

" You're seeing other people talk about it and probably a second I I think I can add something to this."

" Well exactly and everyone had opinions and I was gonna sitting on these these facts that -- At first I decided I wasn't going to do it and then it just nagged at me and you know it's so. Pretentious but I did have this feeling that I needed to bear witness -- to give it some historical perspective I was there. In 1990 it was the year before the Anita Hill hearings. Which raised the consciousness. Sexual harassment in the workplace and so at. At the time I didn't think that's what was going on I just what this place is dysfunctional and I just wanna -- didn't. I'm not being allowed to do that in a way that makes me comfortable."

" Well you point out in the article that there are people like Barbara Walters saying well you know. Night of an annoying but it wasn't necessarily sexual harassment and when you read or maybe it is because of this subset the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that. This sexual favoritism somebody you know being close to the bus to consider having a relationship. Can lead to a hostile work environment. And create an atmosphere demeaning to women is you get and you are young much younger you -- quite sure it was going on around you but does that sort of define how you felt."

" They're actually issued their sexual harassment and that doesn't have time. How I felt completely but there's also the fact there's an aspect and what I was trying to address is the sexism. That is still prevalent today and was back then in the article -- talk about it. Only been seven female writers in the 27 year history of the show. There you melt writers have been -- twenty years the longest run in separate lasted was almost."

" Well I'll remember back of the 2003 Emmy Awards that Jon Stewart show won for writing but when they were. I'm showing the nomination clip they named all the writers they were all white men and went. -- accepted the award he -- he said. He built diversity was the most important element of -- writing staff even you know as he was 200 by all these white males. So this at least some acknowledgment. That this is an issue do you think there's an acknowledgment by the men hosts of these shows the men on the shows that it's a problem."

" But let me I'm sure if you ask them every single one of them attack -- we'd love to have. Female writers in the room and for me I go back to the Alan Brady show -- and died and their. Sally -- keep up with buddy and rob and even back then Alan Brady 13 of his writers working now. And you know I grew up watching that and I want it to -- Sally Rogers and part of what I'm saying it's not only should there be females in the writers' room because you. But he shouldn't deny opportunities. To an entire class of people but it will make the room funny."

" Little bit to be put up that she went on to work -- shows like the sitcom coach still the only female in the writers' room -- the atmosphere was respectful. Is there something about late night TV and that constant sort of you know how can we be as. Seventeen year old as we can possibly VP you know in order to get that material out is there's something about the nature of the material in late night that is may be part of this from."

" I think -- someone goes back to the host but you know I know women who -- hard jokes I know women who rates very abstract jokes. What are advocating is that you have a variety. And all the viewpoints and senses of humor and that's really how you get the funniest product."

" We used a late night TV executives often say women don't apply for -- out."

" Well they they don't and the same numbers that we can do and that's one of the reasons I'm stepping forward is to. To show it can be done and part of I hope is that they will reach out a little more and I'm not talking affirmative action nation lowered their standards. But that doesn't mean they can -- reach out and encourage."

" When you read one of the problems is that the current white male writers recommend their funny -- male friends to be future when I know writers -- sort of a close circle. One of the problems and we wanna know to you the second writer and think the first do you mean Merrill Marco."

" Great now mark of any -- She invented -- they're still doing on the channel and did a good example I think how the height of the show was this collaboration. Between an -- hit the female sensibility but it was that sensibility that along with being out and days brilliance as a comedian. Those kind of collaborations. Are very positive."

" Well Merrill Marco and David -- former girlfriend and as you say former head writer they were a team. She had the funniest line after the scandal she wrote on her blog. G and gave told me I was the only when he -- on."

" She'd you know Larry it then you know. We're friendly but her experience is very different from mine actually have to show because she came into that with the personal relations --"

" this has been difficult for use some people have been already been very critical."

" we'll fight club mentality and you know and that you don't talk about fight club and I didn't for nineteen years and I wouldn't have. But there haven't been this spotlight on the issue. -- quakers have the concept of speaking truth to power. And I'm like strict quicker operating consult me -- it -- But I have been thinking a lot about Wendy to stay silent and I hope something positive. Can come out of it and not just kind of late night but. I look at the Tonight Show I'm looking to jay leno's show I mean there are eighteen male writers on the jay leno's show. When jay took over the 10 o'clock spot he'd disproportionately. Displaced women who are writing on those strong. And I just thought so much attention that."

" Mills -- belt thanks so much now for speaking -- now veteran television writer that was the second female writer on the David Letterman show and is urging their being more female writers in late nineteen them changing atmosphere. To the deep thoughts on this third inning on the program just outta here now dot org and click on contact."

" I know I've mentioned here that my brother's an actor's name is John Savage he -- Steven in the iconic 1978 film the deer hunter. Forgive me for mentioning -- again but it has to do with our next story. When you're making that film my brother would tell me about a beautiful but sad story playing out behind the scenes. How one of the actors was dying of lung cancer how his girlfriend a lovely new actors I never heard of was devoted to scare which sometimes carry him up and down their apartments steps and incredible act of that actor it was John -- his girlfriend Merrill --"

" This is great in the deer hunter but being in a movie with like the smallest part of the tricky. Part of that landscape. Of our lives I mean it was really. Tough and nobody really knew whether these protocols would work. We were always very very very hopeful. And everything worked out well."

" It didn't junk is -- died at 42 before deer hunter who's -- the east. And the new documentary reminds us that even though he died so young his legacy includes pivotal roles in five of the best films of his generation all of them. Oscar nominees or winners."

" My -- You don't come to Las Vegas and powerful man like bull green light."

" Well as you as you well is that only a little. I thought did -- my tax okay I'm a little bit."

" Before."

" Finished I think theft. John -- I stand in the conversation routine Pacman Sal in Dog Day Afternoon stocks in the deer hunter. And radio in god father went into a role he was so identified with that many people thought Frito was his name. Now they will know his name and know just how much his fellow actress felt he was responsible for their success and the success of those films. Thanks to the new documentary I knew it was you director Richard Shepard joins us in the studios of NPR west in Culver City Richard welcome thanks for that to be here and I'm so glad you made this film. Some of us feel you know so overdue. But what can people at Merrill Streep Alpa -- Robert De Niro. Say when you ask them to be an."

" I think the reason he was so beloved and everything out the chino and Robert De Niro Meryl Streep wanted to talk to us. With that he was the consummate. Character actor is the reason these people wanted to keep working with him because he -- our."

" They're game here and actors like Philip Seymour Hoffman Steve Buscemi who also -- just fanatic and Mario fans of as John to sell a directors like copilot who directed him of course in the godfather and let's remind ourselves. Of his rule as -- of course. The oldest and weakest of the Korean Brothers who ends -- betraying his for the Michael played by Alpa chino. Before he doesn't there's that iconic scene in godfather two they both as sort of a lakeside house in a room. Overlooking the water mostly in silhouette Michael standing hands in pocket Frito slouch back in a chair almost writing let's listen."

" Rose to care. Taken care -- me."

" You can't. And you take care of me. Didn't think about."

" General wants to -- a --"

" Sent Fred a lot to do this -- Fred a lot to do that."

" That's right take care some Mickey Mouse nightclub somewhere. Said Fred ought to pick somebody up to the explore."

" In my cannot. It's not."

" Richard shepherd he had their respective all of his fellow actors. He is in mail accounts was also you know every strong person -- did he get that. Deep. A vulnerability."

" It's really hard. To play a weak character correctly. And one of the things -- as I was able to do. Was play weakness without sort of winking at the -- audience that secretly he was a strong actor and a lot of times you'll see performances or someone playing week that you know the actor -- wants you to know deep down. He's a strong guy -- the leading man. And -- never did that he never wanted to show that other layer. So he went so deep in his roles that he would just lose himself and really become that character so he's almost unrecognizable. From movie to movie yet he's an odd looking guy and once you know to look for him like -- with the same guy that. There's nothing about south the bank robbery in Dog Day Afternoon is a strong scary. Weird guy. There's nothing about him that's like freedom -- you know sad man."

" Some WEP trucks. Can do it speaks I think. To see if we can't clean."

" Schools teach him that torque they do I'm not putting your -- I do believe in keeping promises -- epidemic and still go instantly go -- about."

" John -- and Al Pacino pairing up again as the tragic bank robbers stuck in their own hostage taking situation. In the 1975 film Dog -- Afternoon and yet he -- a scary character but. We don't injects humor here's another scene the chino asks can cells character question."

" He can understand so. If we leave the country is no coming back. Experienced patient -- treatment Coke. -- It's their country."

" It's -- take care."

" Richard we learn in your film -- tell -- completely tablet."

" When we were editing the film we were looking at that clipping you can just see that the -- the choice of whether he's gonna lap or whether he's gonna keep going in the seen any chooses to keep going. And he was such a smart actor that he didn't go and make that line funny and ha -- sort of way he played -- straight and sat. That it actually has. A lot of meaning to it and that with the type of actor he was."

" Well and we have to come in on the deer hunter. -- seller of a group of friends from Pittsburgh living through Vietnam and what it does to their crowd. And we -- in your film that junk -- almost in get this part he'd been diagnosed with cancer at this point he was a liability but Merrill Streep. Shares of theory that she has about a Robert De Niro scrolling getting junk -- film."

" De -- and Michael to you know wanted has Allen film and they couldn't get him insurance funded for the film couldn't get him insured because he was really sick he was dying and -- she tells us that Robert Dinara sort of put his own money -- to insure that if god forbid he were to -- while they were shooting. They have enough money to re shoot those scenes with another actor and that's a pretty unbelievable. Thing to do and sort of a testament I think to about the near our office sort of I think that regard they all have about this actor."

" 31 years since John Kazaa guys. He helped push all these movies to Oscar nominations he never got one."

" It is really a shame. Certainly the godfather two I think it is his performances extraordinary and I know than anyone who loves that that movie would would agree with me."

" Here's a quiet moment from that film -- fishing with a little boy. Remembering better days fishing trip with his Brothers and father."

" I was in new when they caught a fish."

" Nobody else catch -- me. Now I didn't."

" But retirement puts a line in the water -- him. --"

" John can sell as Frito in the godfather to. -- shippers documentary is I knew it was -- by the way Richard I knew it was you."

" I knew it was view from the god. Yes for me and I knew that -- But I had to double meaning right because that it's not only that famous line where Michael realizes that -- betrayed them he says they knew was you you were smart yes. It's also of course the idea that I knew was -- this guy I know this -- naming knows this is."

" And now more people hopefully will know that name I knew it was used -- to the Williamstown film festival here in western Massachusetts tonight. John can -- was born in this area and went to Boston University. Many of his friends and family -- will probably be -- it's also an error on HBO in the spring from -- their website here and now dot org Richard thank you so much."

" It's been a pleasure thank you."

" Here announce -- production of WBUR Boston in association with the BBC world service and I'm Robin please join us again. Here and now."

Related Video and Audio

Here and Now for Monday, November 23, 2009

Here and Now for Monday, November 23, 2009

Mammogram Controversy Regulating Wall Street Khmer Rouge Containers to Clinics The Mormon as Vampire

Audio|Mon, 23 Nov 2009
|federal reservefound at14:37, 0:31

“…responsibilities. For over arching regulation against too big to fail to the Federal Reserve's. . And I would say it is almost conventional wisdom now that the Federal Reserve has fallen down. In each job there's some people who think the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bernanke did a good job in getting it. Out of the problem my problem with that his first double. He didn't identify the problem until the taxpayer had multi trillion dollars. Payments being made into the system and secondly. I'm personally not even convinced he's got -- the issue right now there is a major debate about the role of the Federal Reserve. . Actually senator Dodd bill gives the Federal Reserve a lot less responsibility. And give this so called council of regulators. More responsibility. I think that's the direction in which we have to go frankly the Federal Reserve this far to a page and far too hard to oversee. And has been engaged in too many sleight of hand tricks -- have trillions of dollars for us to be putting a lot of -- in in that agency. And I think -- further signal about why that doesn't work. Is the banks are fully in favor of having the Federal Reserve be the ultimate regulator. And I think that's because they feel they can better handle the Federal Reserve the more independent regulator. …”

“…guidelines on mammograms came about. And how surprising new ways of understanding breast cancer helped sway the scientist on the panel for instance. The thinking that some cancerous tumors grow so slowly. They may never need …”

Here and Now for Friday, November 20, 2009

Here and Now for Friday, November 20, 2009

On today's podcast — new guidelines for pap smears; The Oxford Project; why we overeat on Thanksgiving; GM sees huge gains in China; sports with Bill Littlefield; and picking locks for sport.

Audio|Fri, 20 Nov 2009
|cervical cancerfound at2:01, 0:31

“…problem a virus is the isle virus which is known to cause cervical cancer which is why the pap smear. Tests for on the presence of HPV in in a woman's reproductive system. But Hewitt who were saying earlier that the risk of cervical cancer or HPV turning into cervical cancer. . Isn't as high as -- was. …”

“…College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is saying most women don't need annual pap smears. . The group says younger women ending up getting unnecessarily or sometimes potentially harmful follow up procedures because of abnormal pap smear results. …”

Here and Now for Thursday, November 19, 2009

Here and Now for Thursday, November 19, 2009

On today's podcast — the healthcare battle in the Senate heats up; teacher and author Erin Gruwell on her new book, "Teaching Hope;" the pending execution of Robert Lee Thompson in TX; the shooting at Army base Fort Carson; and documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman on his new film, "La Danse."

Audio|Thu, 19 Nov 2009
|new bookfound at5:54, 5:00

“…bestselling book the freedom writers diary. Now Karen guerrillas out of the new book from the perspective of teachers it's called teaching hoped. And it draws on the experiences of 150 educators who all went to -- and her former students for training. At the freedom riders foundation and -- well tensions years of NPR west in California Aaron welcome. Decent match and that's -- that we heard where Hilary Swank put a line in the middle of the room and told students to come Stanley. You really didn't -- Can you that …”

“…And actress Hilary Swank in the 2007 film freedom -- her character was based on real life teacher Aaron -- well. Who reached out to your …”