Day to Day

Over a Barrel

Thursday, April 7, 2005

Explainer: Why a “Barrel” of Oil?
As the price of a barrel of oil continues to hover at record levels, Daniel Engber explains why a “barrel” was set at 42 gallons—and how oil really isn’t shipped in barrels any more. Listen to the segment.

Hey, Wait a Minute: Defending the Royals
June Thomas thinks it’s time somebody stuck up for Britain’s embattled royal couple, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. The two are to be wed this Saturday, and polls suggest many Britons disapprove of the match. Listen to the segment.

Kausfiles: Howard Dean and “Family Values”
Mickey Kaus offers listeners a “phone blog” about how Democratic National Committee leader Howard Dean is responding to “family values” questions from potential voters. Listen to the segment.

Big Idea: Clinton in Bush’s Diplomatic Camp
President George W. Bush included former President Bill Clinton—along with his father, former president George H.W. Bush—in the official U.S. delegation attending the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Jacob Weisberg talks with NPR’s Alex Chadwick about why the current president included Clinton in this official diplomatic mission, and what’s in it for both men. Listen to the segment.

Wednesday, April 6, 2005

Moneybox: The Canal That Made America Great
Daniel Gross talks about Wedding of the Waters: The Erie Canal and the Making of a Great Nation, a new book by Peter Bernstein. Gross compares the creation of the canal to other huge infrastructure projects in America, such as the Internet or the interstate highway system. Listen to the segment.

Ad Report Card: Steve Madden, Set Free
NPR’s Alex Chadwick talks with Seth Stevenson about a new series of ads for the Steve Madden shoe company. The ads promote company founder Steve Madden’s upcoming release from federal penitentiary, where he’s been imprisoned for almost three years for tax fraud. Listen to the segment.

Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Jurisprudence: Conservatives vs. Fed Courts
NPR’s Alex Chadwick speaks with Dahlia Lithwick about the increased hostility some conservative politicians feel toward the federal judiciary in the wake of the Terri Schiavo case. A series of federal courts—including the U.S. Supreme Court—refused to order the reinsertion of the brain-damaged woman’s feeding tube, despite last-minute legislation pushed by Republicans aimed at making the courts reconsider decisions made by state courts in the case. Listen to the segment.

Explainer: Why So Few Baseball Cheerleaders?
Andy Bowers explains why most Major League Baseball teams don’t use professional cheerleaders. Listen to the segment.

Monday, April 4, 2005

Slate’s Explainer: Cochran’s Supreme Court Case
Daniel Engber offers an explainer on the fate of a U.S. Supreme Court case that focused on legal restrictions against a man who had allegedly defamed attorney Johnnie Cochran. Cochran, who shot to fame as the lead attorney for O.J. Simpson at the football star’s murder trial, died one week after the case was heard. The status of the case is now in doubt. Listen to the segment.