Search results for

NPR'S John Burnett offers a special report on Scientology -- the self-help philosophy invented by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. In a little more than 40-years, Scientology has evolved into a full-fledged religion, complete with a federal tax exemption, a rich and famous membership, and an international chorus of critics. Based in Los Angeles, the Church of Scientology aggressively uses lawsuits and private detectives to attack opponents and protect its secrets, while courting public goodwill through social service outreach. This report examines Scientology's beliefs and practices and explores what constitutes a 'real' religion. Burnett talks with church members, former church members, and individuals in the church hierarchy about this often-misunderstood group, and what the controversies surrounding the Church of Scientology say about how religions are established and recognized. (22:00) FUNDER 0:29 CUTAWAY 0:59 =========================SECOND HOUR======================= BILLBOARD :59 NEWS 2:59 NEWS 1:59 THEME MUSIC 0:29 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2A

From member station WXXI in Rochester, New York Brenda Tremblay reports on a new biography about Martha Matilda Harper, one of the most successful and innovative female entrepreneurs of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She is credited with inventing the concept of the Franchise. (3:09) Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream : How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women by Jane R. Plitt is published by Syracuse Univ Pr (Trade); ISBN: 08156

Scott Aiges reviews the new CD from The Blind Boys of Alabama, called Spirit of the Century. All of the band members are in their 70s, and got their name when they started singing together at the Talledega Institute for the Blind in 1939. They have always sung in the traditional jubilee style -- hymns, spirituals and other Christian music -- with tight harmonies and little if any accompaniment. The new CD puts a fresh new spin on old-time religious music. (5:00) Spirit of the Century by the Blind Boys of Alabama is on Realworld records, catalog # 70876-15319-2-3.

to withdraw a political television ad. It uses an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's, " >I Have a Dream" speech to argue against Proposition 2-0-9. Proposition 2-0-9 would abolish affirmative action programs in the state. Dr. King's family and estate say he supported affirmative action as a means of redressing past injustices.

Snigdha Prakash reports on the recipe behind the diet drug Metabolife's billion-dollar -- and possibly deadly -- success.

The work of former Pittsburgh Courier photographer, Charles H. "Teenie" Harris, is being shown at the Westmorland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pa. The pictures had been controlled by a private dealer for over 10 years. A recent court decision released the photos, which have been moved to the museum and are being studied by scholars. A new documentary about Harris' life called One Shot debuted at the museum earlier this month. Linda Wertheimer talks with Henry Simonds, co-curator for the Teenie Harris exhibit and editor and associate producer of the film.

Linda talks with Paula Sharp, the author of _Crows Over Wheatfield_. This new novel deals with child and spousal abuse, but in a style that features both warmth and humor. Sharp, who is also a lawyer, wanted to create a book about these issues that featured a strong female character. (7:30) [Stations: _Crows Over Wheatfield_ is published by Hyperion.] CREDITS FUNDER 0:29 CUTAWAY 0:59 =========================SECOND HOUR======================= BILLBOARD :59 NEWS 2:59 NEWS 1:59 THEME MUSIC 0:29 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2A 8. TEXAS REDISTRICTING -- NPR's John Burnett reports on a decision today by federal judges that redrew thirteen congressional districts in Texas and nullified their primary election results in order to conform with recent Supreme Court rulings outlawing so-called "racial gerrymandering." This decision has important implications for some Congressional races in Texas. Some incumbents who had faced no primary opposition could now find themselves with rivals for those seats.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on the second day of confirmation hearings for Attorney General-designate John Ashcroft. Today's hearing was not as combative as yesterday's, when Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy lashed into Ashcroft's civil rights record. The Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee continued pressing Ashcroft on how his personal views on laws might differ from having to enforce them. But one Democrat, Wisconsin's Herb Kohl, conceded that Ashcroft is likely to win confirmation.

Aretha Franklin's anthem, written by Otis Redding, had a powerful effect on audiences everywhere.

Noah talks with Nancy Groce (GROSS) about her book, "The Musicians's Joke Book: Knowing the Score." Groce is a folklorist and ethnomusicologist. She says musicians who play banjos, violas, and drums are made fun of more than other musicians, but there's a joke for every type of musician, including conductors. (3:15) (Schirmer Books: NY, 1996) FUNDER 0:29 CUTAWAY 0:59 =========================SECOND HOUR======================= BILLBOARD :59 NEWS 2:59 NEWS 1:59 THEME MUSIC 0:29 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2A 8. ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL -- Linda talks with NPR's Elizabeth Arnold about Senator Bob Dole's four-day campaign swing this week. Dole talked about crimes, drugs and welfare at stops in Colorado, California, Illinois and Ohio. One thing that wasn't talked about much was the economy, which is doing pretty well, especially in the Midwest.