Your suggestions for future Radio Smart Talk programs

Tuesday, 18 October 2011 16:29

Your suggestions for future Radio Smart Talk programs

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Wednesday, October 19:

When Radio Smart Talk began in 2008, the idea was to engage the audience – to produce a program that was designed to bring context to important issues that impact our listeners' lives and to present it in a civil, conversational way. Since the show began, the audience has always been ready to join in the discussion with a thoughtful question or comment. Listeners have also been quick to offer suggestions for topics or guests for future shows. We often have a programs during fundraising drives devoted to soliciting your ideas and that's the plan for Wednesday's show.

Call us between 9 and 10 a.m. at 1-800-729-7532, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or comment below with your suggestions. It's also a great conversation starter!

Listen to the program:

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comments

# Chuck Gaston 2011-10-19 08:40

A possible topic is voting technology. Did you know that the technologies in use today (especially including paper ballots) can be manipulated by insiders? Did you know that a more secure, more transparent technology is illegal in Pennsylvania? Do you know how easy it is to buy votes?

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# Dennis McMahon 2011-10-19 09:17

Interview Gordon McDowell about Thorium Reactors - http://energyfromthorium.com/

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# Lee Ann 2011-10-19 09:22

An important topic would be a discussion on stormwater. Recent flooding events could be somewhat attributed to outdated stormwater infrastructure and over-development. This would be an important , local and timely subject which also has an impact on local water quality standards.

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# Deb Haken 2011-10-19 09:26

On the important topic of health care, LivingWell Institute, a local organization, would be delighted to share our vision for teaching the community how to live in whole person health. We encourage one another to live in balance mentally, physically, and spiritually, integrating all three aspects of life.

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# Mark 2011-10-19 09:27

Public corruption in Pennsylvania from the perspective of the victims of it, not from the perspective of those who would perpetrate it like political leaders and police. Many vicims are out there. Police and political corruption. Are you brave enough to do this? Is could be too controversial for a local radio talk show... and you may receive political heat.

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# Lindsey Gingrich 2011-10-19 09:29

Along the lines of the editorial in today's Patriot News, I'd love to see some discussion about all of the abortion legislation coming down the pipe. SB 732 in particular seems to raise more questions than it does answers and I'd like to see a panel discuss the medical, political, and legal ramifications of this proposed bill and others like it, especially given what's been happening in other states like Kansas and Virginia.

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# Trey Jackson 2011-10-19 09:37

There is a running joke in education that if one can't teach, they become a building administrator; if one can't do that, they become a central office administrator; if one can't do that, they go to another school system or work for an intermediate unit; if one can't do that, they work for the State Dept. of Education; and if one can't do that, they become a superintendent or a school "consultant". With all of the emphasis on "good teachers & getting rid of poorly performing teachers, what about looking into getting the schools cleaned out of poor administrators. I lost my teaching position due primarily to the incompetence of two school administrators. I've seen/heard/read nothing about this issue in any publication or media. I think that WITF Smart Talk ought to look into this issue, as it probably has more of an impact on schools, students, and teachers than any other issue.

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# Roger Ford 2011-10-19 11:28

Bingo! Teachers are evaluated by administrators. In my experience as a high school teacher, few administrators knew much about every academic discipline. Further, when I was teaching, only two years of tenured of tenured classroom experience were required before one could begin to take courses leading toward an administrative degree. Such a short time begged disaffected teachers to seek out the Peter Principle. Finally, I have never understood politicians' desire to rate teachers, when the administration is tasked with that job. The plan seems always to be presented as a way of improving either the profession or schools. For such ends, administrators, who ought to be interested ensuring their students' future, should be cleaning out the deadwood. It can be done. One district in which I worked had a very detailed procedure for remediating poor teachers, and for firing them if remediation failed. I was part of the committee that wrote it.
Thank you.

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# gary schubert 2011-10-19 09:39

Hi, I'm Gary from Juniata county.717-589-7748 Energy from the feet on the street perspective. Simple things people can do,what to watch out for ,and bad and good stories. I do farm studies for Penn State and USDA.

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# Kevin Miller 2011-10-19 09:45

In December 2012 our solar system will cross through the Milky Way Galaxy. This only happens once in many thousands of years. It would be great to hear scientific experts discuss possible solar flare effects on our planet, increased meteor activity and other events we might expect to experience.

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# Sarah Pearce 2011-10-19 09:52

I'd like to hear a Smart Talk about the foundations that were established to support local public school districts. Why were they developed (mission statements?), has their mission changed, how much do they use to support the school district annually, what is their money used for by the school district? I'd like to hear some comparison from district to district, since many now have their own foundations, and probably use their funds for very different activities, programs, materials or whatever.

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# Robert Colgan 2011-10-19 10:14

Interview Ralph Nader, if he's available.
He's an American institution, one of the most influential people in the late 20th Century.
His insights are always worth hearing.

And I am wondering, Scott---how's Craig Cohen doing since leaving WITF?

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# Sharon 2011-10-19 10:39

It would nice to balance out the recent post office segment with another- one from the postal employees/union perspective. Our postal system is being pointedly attacked by big business and their congressional allies, and it will be to every citizens' detriment if they succeed. And succeed they will if the average citizen is not made aware of what is happening now. Please ask your next guests why Congress won't release the overfunding of the three funds(Civil Service, FERS and future retiree heath care pension fund). This is the real crux of the problem.

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# Natalie 2011-10-19 10:57

A program about farmers and the issues they face - I was recently in the area where I grew up and found out that there are only 3 farmers milking cows when at one time there were over a dozen. Most of the small family farms have gone under to be replace by big farms.

Also - a weather related program - the pictures of the dust storms in New Mexico and Texas remind me of the pictures I've seen from the dust bowl era. Also - include information about how the hot weather we had back in July affected this years corn crop in Central Pa. Corn needs hot days and cool nights - but the nights didn't cool down enough to allow the kernels on the cob to mature!

There are many issues confronting farmers and our food supply that we need to be aware of! You could start with someone from the county extension office or the Farm Bureau

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# Roger Ford 2011-10-19 11:05

Public Trnsportation seems to be an issue that needs to be examined and discussed, not just because I am a rider of CAT who thinks more people would take advantage of the service if it were better funded and thereby upgraded but because although I no longer drive I cannot avoid hearing the traffic reports and wondering whether good, comfortable mass transit, combined with a little planning on our part as commuters, might do more to ease the regular and, frankly, avoidable traffic jams on routes 83, 283, 81, and elsewhere. I really think President Eisenhower's grand plan of super highways has gone about as far as it can, and I know that both cities and small towns need decent, reliable bus systems that run frequently.

Thanks!

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# CJ 2011-10-19 15:29

We've heard from Mayor Thompson on Smart Talk, but we have not heard the perspective of the four members of City Council who have stood against the Act 47 Plan, also known as the "Fab Four." I think it's time that they have a voice on Radio Smart Talk so that all points of view are examined. Thanks for a wonderful show!

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# Cheryl 2011-10-20 09:07

Although the US is a generous government in regard to foreign aid, the US government has historically also negatively manipulated foreign governments/regimes, many of which are now in turmoil (Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, etc). Might there be a Smart Talk segment dealing with the foreign policies which have exacerbated terrorism? "Why do they hate us," we hear so often;there are reasons other than those that our politicians suggest. It seems that those unspoken reasons are not politically or patriotically correct to discuss. Peace, however, cannot be achieved without understanding.

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# Jim Kling 2011-10-20 10:50

Many good suggestions here, and I hope Smart Talk takes some of them up.

My original thought was similar to Natalie's, below, about family farms in Pennsylvania. But instead of the angle that industrial farms are swallowing up small farms, how about the nascent sustainable farms movement, with grass-fed beef, pastured pork and chickens, and benefits to health, environment, food chain security, and the economy? Small farms are updating traditional methods, as Joel Salatin has done at his Polyface Farms - Joel would be an excellent guest.

I would also suggest Brian Snyder, Ex. Dir. of PASA; Jo Robinson, who runs eatwild.com; or any of a number of local farmers (Bob Boyce of Carlise, e.g.).

From Food, Inc. to Omnivore's Dilemma to Time's High Cost of Cheap Food, the sustainable movement is truly a grassroots movement, with consumers and farmers working to create meaningful change.

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