Scott McClellan , former White House press secretary, gives a behind-the-scenes account of what’s gone wrong in the Bush administration, and responds to criticisms from his former colleagues. His controversial new memoir is What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception. . Event : Scott McClellan will be in conversation with Dan Rather Wednesday, June 4 at 8 pm 92nd Street Y Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street For more information and to purchase tickets, go here .
Soundcheck Smackdown : Music critic and author Michael Azerrad claims R.E.M.'s fourteenth album, "Accelerate," is their hardest-rocking ever. Chicago Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis is not convinced. In the first of a new weekly series of musical debates we have both on to discuss the return of one of the most dynamic bands in rock history. And we talk to R.E.M.’s guitarist Peter Buck. Tell us : What do you think of the new R.E.M. album? Are you ready for a "comeback?"
On the 5th anniversary of the Iraq invasion, FRONTLINE has put together a new 2-part documentary special, "Bush’s War," chronicling the trials of the last few years …from the horrors of 9/11 to the recent troop surge. Michael Kirk is a veteran producer with FRONTLINE. Event : ”Bush’s War” will air on PBS Monday, March 24 from 9:00 pm to 11:30 p.m. and Tuesday, March 25 from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Ann Wright was a U.S. Army Colonel and diplomat before she resigned from her State Department post in protest of the invasion of Iraq. Her new book is Dissent: Voices of Conscience . Event : Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright will be speaking and signing books Thursday, January 31 at 7 pm Bluestockings Books 172 Allen Street (between Stanton and Rivington Streets)
Valerie Plame Wilson ’s cover as a top CIA agent was blown in 2003 when Bush administration officials leaked her name to the media. Since then, she’s been at the center of "Plamegate," which has engulfed Washington and led to the conviction of Vice Presidential aide I. Lewis “ Scooter ” Libby . In Fair Game , she reveals her side of the story for the first time. Fair Game is available for purchase at amazon.com To listen to Leonard's conversation with Joseph Wilson on June 10, 2004, go here . To listen to Leonard's conversation with Robert Novak on July 17, 2007, go here . To listen to Leonard's conversation with Matthew Cooper on May 2, 2007, go here .
As editor-in-chief of Time magazine, Norman Pearlstine made headlines when he revealed the anonymous sources of the Valerie Plame story. He'll explain why he did it, and why he would do it again. In May, Leonard spoke with Matthew Cooper about his court battles during the Valerie Plame CIA leak investigation. You can listen to it here . And in July, Robert Novak came on the show to talk about his decision to reveal Plame's identity in 2003. Listen to it here . Purchase Off the Record: The Press, the Government, and the War over Anonymous Sources at amazon.com. Weigh in: Should journalists be allowed to protect anonymous sources?