To The Best of Our Knowledge

from Wisconsin Public Radio

The past is nebulous – a place no one can go. When to try to get our bearings there, we often find more than one truth. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, constructing the past. We'll go back to Vietnam with Senator Bob Kerrey. And, one woman pieces together her past in war-torn Liberia. Also, paying homage to the 8-track.

Former Senator Bob Kerrey talks with Steve Paulson about one bloody night in Vietnam that has haunted him for decades. This story is at the center of his new memoir, "When I Was a Young Man". In 1969, Kerrey's platoon of Navy SEALS killed at least 14 women and children during a raid on a village. News of the carnage first broke last year. And Kerrey landed in the middle of a national debate on U.S. conduct in the Vietnam War.

SEGMENT 2:

Musue Haddad of Liberia went on a two-day trip to visit her parents in 1989. While she was on this trip, civil war broke out in her country. Haddad has not seen her parents or the rest of her family since. She tells Anne Strainchamps how she got separated from her family 13 years ago and about her subsequent experiences living in refugee camps, as well as her current life in exile in the U.S.

SEGMENT 3:

Russ Forster is the editor of the magazine, "8-Track Mind". He's also made a documentary film about 8-track tapes called "So Wrong They're Right". Forster talks with Jim Fleming about his obsession with this outdated audio technology from the 70's. Also, archeologist Alexander Stille is the author of the book, "The Future of the Past." He talks to Steve Paulson about the paradox involved in his work – sometimes digging up old treasures can destroy them.

Books:

• Bob Kerrey, When I Was a Young Man: a memoir (Harcourt)
• Alexander Stille The Future of the Past (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux)
• So Wrong They're Right: an eccentric documentary on all 8's by Russ Forster and Dan Sutherland http://www.8trackheaven.com/

Music:

• Eric Bogle. "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda." By Request. Greentrax Recordings.
• Django Reinhardt. "St. Louis Blues." Djangology Vol 1: 1934-35. Noxas Jazz Legends.
• Buzi (Loma) Harp Songs. "Women Refuse the Ring." Field Recordings of African Costal Rhythms. Riverside World Folk-Music Series.
• Mr. Bucks. 8-Track City. Album and Label unknown.
• Sigur Ros. "Agaetis Byrjun." Agaetis Byrjun. Fat-Cat Records.

Distribution dates:

• week of 06/09/2002 - hour 1