The HUB

Segment 1

HAS AMERICAN IDOL BECOME A PARADE OF THE DELUSIONAL?

The AJC asked the question this week, “Can ‘Idol’ auditions get more humiliating?” They point out how the current audition process is a bunch of “Horrific screeching, gratuitous cruelty, and bitter tears.”
What does this say about our society? Have we become so sensitive to not hurting anyone’s feelings that we don’t dare tell anyone they are not good. Hell, in our litigious culture you can be sued for “emotional harm” if someone is offended by what you say. Are we really doing anyone a favor when we delude them to the point they believe they have talent just because they think they do and everyone around them tells them so?

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS: “WHITEY NEED NOT APPLY.”

It’s seems those “Colored Only” signs that hung over water fountains and bathrooms throughout the South that helped fuel the Civil Rights movement have now found a new home-on the door of the Congressional Black Caucus. Tennessee Democrat Stephen I. Cohen (a white liberal running in a majority African American district) made a novel pledge on the campaign trail last year: If elected, he would seek to become the first white member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He was told that it’s understood to be all black. Just move on.
“Black Caucus: Whites Not Allowed”, January 23rd, 2007
Isn’t that the same argument segregationist used in the 1950’s to block integration?

WE FOUND BIN LADEN’S BROTHER! – HE’S ON THE DONOR LIST OF THE CARTER CENTER.

The current book written by Jimma Carter Palestine:Peace Not Apartheid has come under a lot of fire for it’s pro-Arab, anti-Israel slant. Another detail Jimma doesn’t like to mention is the source of funding for the Carter Center. The list includes anti-Israeli tycoons and Middle East states. One notable on that list, Bakr Bin Ladin, Osama’s bro!
“The Question of Carter’s Cash” By Claudia Rossett

Segment 2

LIVE Talkback
Has America Become a Parade of the DelusionalIVE Talkback segment

Segment 3

Energy Independence

The Race for Alternative Fuel Sources “Breaking Free: Energy Independence by 2020!” The Futurist Magazine, Jan-Feb 2007, www.wfs.org“The World Is Flat” Thomas Friedman
What are the drawbacks to alternative fuel sources? Why is it so important? What’s the political hand it allows us to have? Lincoln had his race to save the Union. JFK had his race to the moon and beat the Soviets after Sputnik. Is the race to energy independence “the challenge of our time” as Friedman would say? Why or why not?

Segment 4

LIVE Talkback segment
The Race to Win the Peace - Energy Independence?

Segment 5

Indianapolis Colts Square Off Against the Bears in Super Bowl XLI

Are Head Coaches Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy (long-time friends) going to regret all those close-knit conversations they’ve had over the years when the gridiron heats up Sunday night?

Segment 1

ARE YOU READY FOR A PANDEMIC?

The CDC this week issued guidelines for dealing with a flu pandemic. They have categorized the potential outbreaks similar to the way we currently categorize hurricanes. A “Category 1” outbreak would assume 90,000 dead and a “Category 5” outbreak would assume 1.8 million dead. Currently, an average of 36,000 American die each year from flu. These guidelines are based on historical research from the last major flu outbreak to hit this country –the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic which killed 2% of those infected.
U.S. Issues Guidelines in Case of Flu Pandemic

How has our culture changed since 1918 and how would that affect the way we would respond to the restraints put on us by an outbreak? Has the advent of technology allowed us to continue to interact with others without personal contact in a way that was impossible in 1918?

BABY CHENEY HAS TWO MOMMIES

Speaking on a panel at Barnard College, Mary Cheney the pregnant, lesbian daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, said, “This is a baby. This is a blessing from God. It is not a political statement. It is not a prop to be used in a debate by people on either side of the issue. It is my child.” The panel was titled “Success at 20, 30, 40,” and was held to provide material for the September issue of Glamour. Ms. Cheney expressed some impatience with women who complain about the difficulties of “having it all”.
“Decision to Have Baby Isn’t Political, Mary Cheney Says”

As much as she would like to shield her child from becoming a political pawn, can Mary Cheney really expect that not to happen? Is the “I can have it all, and my way” mantra having a negative effect on our children and/or our culture.

Segment 2

LIVE Talkback segment
Overcoming the Apathy Superstar!

Segment 3

America In Catchup Mode: TerrorFront `07

America's Perfect Storm: Three Forces Changing Our Nation's Future
A Report by Educational Testing Service
Interview with Irwin Kirsch, co-author of report

1) Lack of literary skills and the education crisis
2) Continuing economic and job structure evolution within a global “flat world” (the new Middles)
3) An on-going shift in our demographic profiles fueled by a massive immigrant rush may all add up to D-Day for America’s future.

Segment 4

LIVE Talkback segment
America’s Perfect Storm continued
The World Is Flat By Thomas Friedman

Segment 5

Not Now, Bobby! Not All Father’s Should Play with Their Kids

Does holding out on your kids teach them the lessons of delayed gratification?
Best Life Magazine Interview with Hugh O’Neill

Segment 1

“YOUR HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, BUT YOU NO LONGER HAVE THE RIGHT TO YOUR DNA.”
DNA can now be collected from anyone under criminal arrest by federal authorities and illegal immigrants detained by federal agents. The goal is to make the practice of DNA sampling as routine as fingerprinting. Until now federal authorities have only taken DNA samples from convicted felons.
“U.S. Set to Begin a Vast Expansion of DNA Sampling”, New York Times, Feb 5th
Is the collection of DNA the same as collecting fingerprints? With what scientists are discovering about our DNA and all that it does and can reveal, is this an incredible invasion of privacy of individuals, who at point of taking DNA samples, have not been convicted of a crime?

I NEED A HUG!
A study recently conducted at the University of North Carolina found hand holding and hugging actually lowered blood pressure and heart rates of those who were asked to recount situations that made them angry or stressed.
“A Hug A Day Could Save Your Life”, Fox News, January 31st
Is our modern age, where we virtual connect with others, bad for our health? Is the threat of sexual harassment keeping us from appropriately touching others doing out day?

NO KIDS, NO MARRIAGE
There is an initiative in Washington state filed by proponents of same sex marriage that would require heterosexual couples to have kids within three years of marriage or their marriage would be annulled. Initiative 957 was filed by the Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance.
“Wash. initiative would require married couples to have kids”, King5.com, Feb 6th
Every point the right brings up to defend marriage from a civil perspective, the left can counter. Marriage truly is a spiritual union that doesn’t hold up in a post-modern world view.

Segment 2

LIVE Talkback segment
Should “Babies-on-Demand” Be the Benchmark for Nuptial Bliss or Do Gay Activists Have a point against it? + What do gay rams have to say about it – On location at the homosexual farmyard
“Yep, They’re Gay”, Time Magazine, February 5th, 2007

Segment 3

Game On for Entitlement Societies’ Old Power Brokers – The Changing Rules in the game for Dominance – Skypter Boys take on TV Nets, Sen Tom Coburn takes on pork and Arizona Employers Register their vote against Government Wage Hikes

Hey, You! Get off of My Cloud!
“Here Comes Trouble” – Wired Magazine, February 2007
The Skypster boys (Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom) are out to take on television with free TV, and fat cat TV power brokers are reluctant to race them to the bottom to provide free content.

Is the leader there to serve or be served? The free market rewards the greatest servant – “It’s not how much I can take from you, but how much I can give to you”. So with this in mind, are the Skypster Boys the crooks robbing the media to play the saint to the consumer?

And yet another example of underhanded self-service disguised as service with a smile – Minimum wage Hikes.

“New Wage Boost Puts Squeeze on Teenage Workers Across Arizona”, The Arizona Republic, February 10th, 2007
What is the typical field of play for the power player?

“Hi, I’m Senator Tom Coburn And I Don’t Want Your Vote”, GQ, February 2007
Why do politicians like BB-Q pork? It hits the sweet spot!

The Hub Pledge: Faceoff!

ATTENTION LISTENER: You now have the power to do a listener e-mail “summons” for any two regular panelists to face-off. Email Producer Special K at kent@thehubradioshow.com and name your two names.

Segment 4

LIVE Talkback segment

Segment 5

Crime Tracker – Best Ways to Nab Your Own Petty Thief and Prevent Victimhood
The Special “K” Kelsey Chronicles – Kent, get ready to tell your story about cell phone re-acquisition.

Segment 1

HAVE A CAMERA PHONE? YOU CAN BE A CANDIDATE FOR A PULITZER!
All it takes now in the digital world to be a reporter is a camera phone and internet access. Participatory journalism is expected to influence traditional news operations as reporters get tips or ideas from people online or respond to news broken by people in the right places at the right times.
“Internet users transformed into news reporters”, Breitbart.com, February 11, 2007
Is this really a good trend? In a world where being first and breaking news are king, will credible news organizations take the time to confirm what untrained “citizen journalist” feed them or just go with the story whether it’s accurate or not?

ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION RESPONDS TO THE DIGITAL NEWS REVOLUTION
The AJC is undergoing some dramatic change in order to remain profitable in an environment where readership rates among major newspapers are taking double-digit hits. Beginning April 1, the AJC will trim its circulation territory to 73 counties. At that point print editions will no longer be available in Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia towns such as, Augusta, Columbus, Savannah and Albany.
“ AJC announces restructuring”, AJC, Feb 15, 2007
Is this too little too late? Does anyone under forty read a newspaper? With the instant news available on the Internet, is a printed version of the news that’s at least six hours old when you get it still relevant?

WORLD ON SPEED
AN EYE-OPENING STUDY ON DEATH – WHERE IS DEATH TAKING US?“The Future of Death”, Discover Magazine, Interview with editor
How do we deal with questions about our own fragility? With limitations? The young man’s view of death? The old man’s view of death?

Segment 2

LIVE Talkback segment
Delaying the Inevitable – Coping with the Final Countdown
Rep Charlie Norwood, Anna Nicole Smith, the thought of losing a loved one during war, etc

Segment 3

THE WAR ON TERROR – WINNING THE GROUND AND THE MIND FIELD
The Middle Eastern regions rage on Baghdad province, Iran and Syria with escalations again in Afghanistan with Pakistan getting juiced. What are our troops and friends facing over there right now, what must happen for success and what does it look like, not to Congress, but to the men and women fighting? Where do we stand in the war of ideology and why is the old sports adage – winning and losing is all in your head – apply in the field of war? More importantly, at this point, is winning and losing all in THEIR head and are we getting inside of it enough to win?
GUESTS – Philip Myers (medic just returned from Afghanistan and Sean Hanley)

The Hub Pledge: Faceoff! – New weekly segment where the previous week’s pledge (if he is voted back on) defends his spot on the panel against the new pledge in a rapid-fire 90 second faceoff on the issues in the news this week.

Segment 4

LIVE Talkback segment
WAR ON TERROR – Winning on the ground and on the mind field

Segment 5

URINALS NOW GIVING DRIVING ADVICE
New Mexico has taken its fight against drunken driving to men's restrooms around the state. The state has ordered 500 talking urinal cakes (those little disc in a urinal normally used for odor control) that will deliver a recorded anti-DWI message to bar and restaurant patrons who make one last pit stop before getting behind the wheel.
“Talking Urinal Cakes Offer Drinking And Driving Advice”, Koat.com/news, Feb 10, 2007

IS YOUR BOSS SPYING ON YOU?
What are the best excuses for why employees do what they do on office time? How do employers spy? Answer: They bug everything but the toenail clippers in your gym bag…and the kitchen sink. Why do they spy other than being greedy corporate bastards who love nothing more than to make my life a living hell? How do I protect myself at work? Answer: Work from home.
“Is Your Boss Spying on You”, Best Life Magazine, Feb 2007