Milt Rosenberg

It’s no secret that Russia is and has always been a propaganda state. Their efforts to control information and influence public opinion at home and abroad are are aggressive and extensive. But Putin’s Russia has a greater goal: to control the internet–the greatest tool in bringing about a total surveillance state. But there’s another side…

What a week it’s been in the political world. Hillary Clinton was back on the Hill again testifying about Benghazi. U.S. troops engaged in the Middle East. Assad visited Putin in Moscow. Putin’s troops continued their assault on ISIS. A wave of terror and retaliation once again grips Israel. Joe Biden dropped out of the…

Dr. Philip Jenkins has written extensively on the ‘Lost Gospels‘. In this newest book, The Many Faces of Christ, he takes on the notion that these books on the life and divinity of Jesus were never really accepted by the church. To the contrary, they were openly and regularly discussed by early church fathers and…

8 Men Out. Shoeless Joe Jackson. Even the most casual baseball fan will know a bit about the 1919 Chicago White Sox–or Black Sox*. But what is the true story behind the scandal? As we all know, Hollywood often takes liberties with the facts when producing a feature length film. And how did that World…

Often when studying history we focus on the major figures. This is no less true in American history, where we may discuss founding fathers, maybe Lincoln, or the great generals of our wars. But one man who was very much a major figure who has been overlooked with the passage of time is Henry Clay.…

Well, not all of it. But today we discuss traditional jazz. Joining Milt in studio is a very talented and traveled jazz guitarist and scholar, namely Michael Allemana. He brought with him a collection of recordings and a vast knowledge of the genre. We go from the beginning up until the mid 40’s or so.…

Somehow the French became the butt of jokes for decades in this country. But the truth is, there would hardly be an America as we know it if it weren’t for French thought and, considering the Marquis de Lafayette, a healthy portion of French might. So as the France many of us loves prepares to…

And then there were five. Will there be a sixth soon? At any rate, the first Democratic debate is in the books and we are here to bring you the finest analysis of what transpired. Who has taken the lead? Who fell on their face? What issues will take the fore as we move forward?…

Dr. Sherry Turkle is a renowned professor who has written extensively on how technology affects the way that humans communicate. You have no doubt experienced how communication has changed as you look around and see people not looking at each other, but rather at their phones. So just how has technology changed human interaction? Is…

Most people know the name Rod Blagojevich. But his brother Robert—Fundraiser A from the title of his new book–was also square in the crosshairs of the U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. He has plenty to say about his ordeal, his brother, corruption, and the justice system. Also joining is a longtime friend of the program Dick…

Christians and Yazidis and other minority groups are being butchered in the Middle East. This is not up for debate. It is a fact. Who are the Assyrians? Why are they being targeted? Who are the Yazidis? Why are their women and children being tortured, forced to marry ISIS fighters, and driven from their homelands?…

With the news of yet more shootings at American schools, we thought it time to move beyond the debate on guns. What is wrong in American culture that has led us to this disturbing phenomenon? The patient is clearly sick. What are the causes that have manifested themselves in this, seemingly, uniquely American symptom of…

When Civil War generals are discussed, most often they are Grant and Lee. But of course both sides had able and noteworthy commanders. One of the most revered on the Confederate side is Stonewall Jackson. S.C. Gwynne has written a very readable history of Jackson, and joins us here in part one to talk about…

Words, language, communication. It’s one of our favorite topics. Language can be beautiful, frightening, coarse, forceful, and arresting and, when under the employ of a master, it is like “wine upon the lips”, according to Virginia Woolf. In the photograph that accompanies this entry is a rendering of the Tower of Babel. As the story…

Russia has moved militarily into Syria, ostensibly to fight ISIS, though those in the know say its true aim is to bolster the Assad regime. Whatever the case may be, the red line was crossed by president Assad a long time ago and ISIS has done nothing if not grown in strength over the past…

Chicago is rife with fascinating libraries and collections. Many of those are located on campus on any number of the fine institutions of higher learning in the area. We invited three professionals in the field to discuss what they do, how they acquire their wares, and to talk about their collections. Included here are Kevin…

We never tire of Chicago crime stories. Professor John Hagedorn is one of the foremost authorities on gangs, gang culture, the drug trade and organized crime in the city of Chicago and beyond. He has just had published his latest work, The In$ane Chicago Way, a fascinating story of an attempt by Latin gangs to…

This program has never made secret its support of the State of Israel. Once again, Israel finds itself in a precarious national security setting as the debate rages on the recent Iran nuclear deal and the migration catastrophe that is engulfing huge swathes of the Middle East. To discuss the current state of the State…

Jay Nordlinger is that most valued sort of journalist: a true intellectual. Not only does he cover politics as the Senior Editor of National Review, he’s also a fine music critic. Nordlinger has a curiosity that lends itself well to writing books. He recently asked himself what might have become of the children of some…

Richard Nisbett is one of the most influential social psychologists in the world. One of his many talents is his ability to explain the inner workings of the mind in plain language, and to explain why we do some of the things we do, why one group acts the way that it does, and how…