American Politics

Philadelphia Inquerier reporter Stephan Salisbury has the latest on the government debate of the NEA. The House of Representatives has voted to drop the anti-obscenity pledge as a requirement for artists to receive funding.

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Stephen Salisbury returns to Fresh Air to discuss the state of proposed legislation affecting the National Endowment of the Arts.

Aldyn McKean and Tracy Morgan join Fresh Air to talk about their organization's recent efforts to advocate for better and more accessible health care for individuals with the diseases.

Journalist James Traub writes about the Wedtech company in his new book, Too Good To Be True. The Bronx-based, minority-led defense firm bribed politicians in order to earn government contracts with the support of the Reagan administration.

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Tim Weiner reports on national security issues. In 1988, he won a Pulitzer Prize for a series of articles on secret Pentagon spending on advanced weaponry and defense technology. Weiner argues that the lack of transparency is unconstitutional -- a point he argues in his new book, "Blank Check: The Pentagon's Black Budget."

Cohen founded the organization Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR). Contrary to the popular belief in a liberal media, Cohen's analysis of recent journalism reveals a conservative bias, especially in the selection of guests on television news programs.

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Stephan Salisbury discusses the internal reforms that are redefining the mission of the National Endowment for the Arts, including an elimination of smaller grants and a reconsiderations of what topics and images are acceptable. In the long term, such changes may influence facts Congressional action.

Performance artists Karen Finley and Holly Hughes, whose work is often sexual and political in nature, recently had their NEA grants vetoed, despite a recommendation by the organization's peer review board. Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Stephan Salisbury speaks to Fresh Air about the controversy.

Attorney David Cole. Cole is a staff attorney for the Center for Constitutional Rights, and has recently taken part in court cases involving flag burning and controversial art exhibits.

Stand-up comic Jimmy Tingle.