Insight: Political Junkie Goes West / Mandela's Influence on Davis / "Rails, Tales and Trails" / Young Soprano
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Political Junkie Goes West The Political Junkie is turning his analytical gaze west. Ken Rudin, known to NPR listeners from his many years talking all things politics with Neal Conan on "Talk of the Nation," joins Insight host Beth Ruyak for a new signature segment that puts California politics in the context of the national scene. Rudin joins us from Washington D.C. today with reflections on the passing of Nelson Mandela and the recent PR blitz by Democrats regarding the Affordable Care Act.
Mandela's Influence on Davis In 1978, Davis became the second city in California to divest with South Africa in protest of the country’s policy of apartheid. With the death of South African President and apartheid activist Nelson Mandela still fresh, a few former Davis activists are reminded how the iconic political figure inspired them to stand up to inequality and oppression at home and abroad. Patti Vernelson worked on the Davis referendum to divest with South Africa in 1978, known as Measure A, and joins us to talk about Mandela's influence on "The People's Republic of Davis," as it was sometimes called in the 1970s.
"Rails, Tales and Trails" Train enthusiast Bill George is out with his newest book about, what else? Trains! "Rails, Tales and Trails" is a self-described "step-by-step guide to secret locations, fascinating people and historic towns of the old Central Pacific Railroad from Sacramento to Reno." Bill joins us with Chris Graves to talk about the stories and locations in the book, which both of them know quite well. More about the book:
http://www.transcoshow.com/
Young Soprano Following closely in her older brother's footsteps, seven-year-old Tiara Abraham, is a singing genius who joined Mensa when she was four. Tiara's brother Tanishq sings with the San Francisco Boys Chorus and she spent a lot of time at his rehearsals growing up. By age four she had learned all the choir's songs and insisted on performing with her brother. As a four-year-old girl she wasn’t allowed to sing with the older boys so eventually her parents found a voice teacher willing to train a five-year-old. Now, Tiara sings soprano and joins us to demonstrate how well she's taking to the operatic style.