Memorial Day Weekend is coming up, a time to remember the veterans of wars past, present and future. For most historians, there are few stories more compelling than that of the USS Indianapolis: a heavy cruiser that had seen battle for nearly all of World War Two. Its final voyage was one of the most integral, yet disastrous missions in the history of the US Navy. And for Off-Ramp producer Kevin Ferguson, it’s a story that hits very close to home.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made a surprise trip to Pakistan today. They met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani and Army Chief General, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. According to reports, it was a tense and awkward gathering. Here, with analysis of Clinton's visit, and the relationship between the United States and Pakistan, is Haider Mullich, a fellow at the Joint Special Operations University.
Nearly 10 years ago Japanese nuclear regulatory officials asked the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant if it could withstand a tsunami. According to the Associated Press, which obtained the response memo, it was wildly optimistic. However, the AP says that science on earthquakes and tsunamis has advanced a lot since that memo was written, yet it was never updated. Now, more than two months after the tsunami, workers still haven't brought the plant under control. Professor George Maclean, a Canadian who has made Japan his home, joins Madeleine to talk about how life has changed since the devastating event.
It's tough to imagine that we should celebrate four dollars a gallon for gas. Especially, since last year at this time, gas was about a dollar a gallon cheaper. Steve Proffitt joins Madeleine with the answers to some frequently asked questions about gasoline and oil.
Susan Carpenter, who writes about cars and motorcycles for the LA Times, turned her house into an experiment in being green and sustainable. About three years ago, she volunteered to try pretty much everything and anything that could turn her house, and her lifestyle, into a model of eco-friendliness. This included using a composting toilet, installing solar panels, and much more. She joined Madeleine in the studio recently. However, before Madeleine got around to asking her why she'd taken on such a task, she asked her to describe the first thing she did on her big green adventure.
This Friday Luke Burbank tells us about a recent celebrity charity event that pitted him and other Seattle stars against the Harlem Globetrotters. It didn't go well... Also, Luke dishes on the rise of a fad known as "planking." He also tells the tale of two government officials who total a Ferrari that was being held as evidence.
