The Exchange

Next week on the Exchange, we begin with a look at the issue of abortion as several bills at the State House look to toughen the standards. Then we look at the controversy over education tax credits.  Under a proposal at the Statehouse, businesses could donate to private school scholarships,  and get a tax credit for doing so.   Later we talk to the author of a new book on the Independent voter who says despite the fact that they represent forty percent of the U. S. population, are largely ignored in political races.

Today we examine the U.N. doctrine known as “Responsibility to Protect”.  It’s the idea that the international community must not tolerate crimes against humanity and has recently been invoked in such cases as Libya but not YET with Syria. Meanwhile, critics fear Responsibility to Protect opens the door to foreign influence in domestic conflicts and diminishes sovereign power.  

Guests

Crossover Day is the time when bills that have passed the New Hampshire House go to the State Senate and vice versa.  And this year, much of that legislation has sparked enormous debate…on issues from contraception to unionized labor to public education.  We’ll look at what important bills are changing hands, how well they may do in their other House of government, and, if they do pass, how they may stand up against the Governor’s veto pen. 

Guests

It’s long been a controversial government power: The ability to take private property if it’s deemed for the “greater public good”.  But often, even the mere suggestion of its use provokes public outcry.  We’ll  look at this idea of eminent domain,  how it’s been applied by all levels of government, and how it’s come up recently here in New Hampshire.

Guests 

Dartmouth physician Ira Byock says even with incredible advances in medicine, far too many Americans suffer needlessly and die “badly”.  In a new book, Byock calls for a new approach toward the end of life; one focused on taking care of persons, not just “bodies”, and helping patients and their families reach decisions about dying.

Guest: 

If you don't know the name, Dayton Duncan, you'll most likely be familiar with his work.  He's an award winning writer and filmmaker who has been Ken Burn's right hand man for decades. The two have collaborated on multi-hour films on topics that have ranged from Lewis and Clark to the Civil War to Baseball to our National Parks.  Their latest collaboration is on the Dustbowl that premeires in 2012. On Friday night, Dayton Duncan sat down with Laura Knoy before a live audience at the Colonial Theatre in Keene to talk about his work and his special collaborative process with Ken Burns.

Next week on the Exchange, we begin with a favorite from the Exchange archive vault as we rebroadcast our interview with writer and filmmaker, Dayton Duncan live at the Colonial Theater in Keene.  Then we talk to Dartmouth Professor, Ira Byock, who's new book looks at end of life care and why he says "far too many Americans suffer needlessly and die “badly”.   Then we examine the idea of eminent domain, recently its been used to block the Northern Pass project, we'll look at what eminent domain really means and where its limits lie. Finally, this week marks Crossover Day in the NH Statehous

The temperature isn't the only thing that seems to be rising lately in the Granite State, so are gas prices.  The cost of a gallon has gone up by about 20 cents in the last month and it shows no signs of slowing down.  Some are predicting that by the summer we may be paying upwards of 5 dollars for a gallon of gas.  Global energy markets blame harsh weather in Europe, tensions with Iran and a cutback in exports from such countries as Syria, Yemen and South Sudan.  Some suggest that higher gas prices may not only affect the average driver's wallet, but upcoming political races as well, as we