Program 03-03-23-B

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To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio

In this hour of To The Best of Our Knowledge, Susan Sontag reflects on how photographs help us experience other people's pain. And, as the country faces war, we'll hear stories about our great patriotic songs, and find some comfort in the ancient Sufi poet, Rumi.

SEGMENT 1:

Susan Sontag's new book about the imagery of war is "Regarding the Pain of Others." She tells Steve Paulson that graphic war photos can be very powerful, but they often elicit complicated reactions among viewers. Also, actor Tracy Arnold reads excerpts from the email of Rachel Corrie, the young American peace activist who was recently killed by an Israeli Army bulldozer in the Gaza Strip.

SEGMENT 2:

Should the Star Spangled Banner really be our national anthem? John Hasse, curator of music at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, gives Jim Fleming a short history of patriotic songs, and suggests alternatives for the national anthem. Also, Jim talks with Joseph Persico about his book "Roosevelt's Secret War." Persico explains how the attack on Pearl Harbor prodded FDR to launch America's first real intelligence network.

SEGMENT 3:

The 13th century Sufi mystic is one of America's bestselling poets, thanks largely to the translations of Coleman Barks. Rumi's story is especially pertinent now. A Muslim born in Afghanistan, he celebrated the underlying unity of all religions. Barks tells Anne Strainchamps why Rumi matters now more than ever.

Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 03-03-23-B.

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Books:

• Coleman Barks, translator, The Soul of Rumi: a new collection of ecstatic poems (Harper San Francisco)
• Joseph E. Persico, Roosevelt's Secret War: FDR and World War II Espionage (Random House)
• Susan Sontag, Regarding the Pain of Others (FSG)

Music:

• After Susan Sontag: Lena Willemark w/ "Havet Stomar" on "Songs from the Cold Seas" Columbia
• After Rachel Corrie's letters: Blue States w/ "Spit and Soar" on "Nothing Changes Under the Sun" ESL Music
• In and after John Hasse interview: "The Star Spangled Banner" Leontyne Price on "God Bless America" RCA
• "America" performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale
• "America the Beautiful" performed by Frank Sinatra
• "God Bless America" performed by Kate Smith
• "This Land is Your Land" performed by Woody Guthrie on "American Roots Music" Palm
• "Draft Dodger Rag" performed by Phil Ochs
• "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale on "Battle Cry of Freedom" BMG Music
• After Joseph Persico: Dastan Ensemble w/ "Spiral of Abandon" on "Through Eternity" Sounds True
• After Coleman Barks: Dastan Ensemble w/ "Ghateh-ye-Zarbi"
  on "Through Eternity"

Distribution dates:

week of 03/23/2003 - hour 2

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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