Wednesday 6 March 2013
Photo, above: Sigiriya - The Rock Fortress, also known as the Lion’s Rock, is a massive stone and an ancient rock fortress. The palace ruins sites on the top of this massive rock, in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, is surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. It was declared by UNESCO as the 8th World Wonder. Sigiriya always had an important role in politics and military of Sri Lanka. many stories revolve around it. History indicates that prince Kashyapa, the king's son by a non-royal consort, seized the throne from King Dhatusena. At this time the rightful heir to the throne, Prince Moggallana, fled to India vowing revenge on Prince Kashapa, who murdered his own farther for the throne.
JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW
Co-hosts: Gordon Chang, Forbes.com, and David Livingston, The Space Show
Hour One
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 1, Block A: Richard McGregor, author of The Party: The Secret World of China's Communist Rulers, in re: "The fruits of development should be shared more equitably by all people." This sentence in Premier Wen Jiabao's last annual Government Work Report was greeted by more than 10 seconds of applause in the Great Hall of the People. . . No more lobster: China's new leader bans official extravagance. China's next leaders aim to launch new economic era. As the National People's Congress gets under way, expectations are high that China's new leaders will promote economic reform and tackle corruption. But entrenched interests pose a serious obstacle
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 1, Block B: Lobsang Nyandak, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas, in re: . Tibetans Pessimistic on New China Leader; See Time Running Out
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 1, Block C: Robert Zubrin, , in re: the Tito Mars trip and HSF to Mars in general, especially in only five years. Propose a two-person Mars flyby mission, which will prove that human interplanetary flight is possible, and do it soon with the kind of cash that's actually available.
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 1, Block D: Tim Culpan, Bloomberg, in re: Foxconn's Inland China Push Spurred by Labor, BI Says. China's Leadership Change. Pollution, Risk Are Downside of China's 'Blind Expansion'
Hour Two
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 2, Block A: Charles Ortel, Managing Director of Newport Value Partners, in re: Prospect of General Motors is not rosy; read the financials carefully. Also, GM in China ain't good.
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 2, Block B: . Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, in re:
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 2, Block C: . Abheek Bhattacharya, WSJ Asia editorial board, in re: violence in Bangladesh. After years of civil war, resolved firmly by a woman PM, Sri Lanka now being run by three antidemocratic brothers. Sri Lanka is scarily moving to a dictatorial regime.
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 2, Block D: Gordon Chang on North Korea fail and the fresh impatience and consternation of the PRC Standing Committee. What is to be done after the Communist Party has shielded the North Korean depravity for so many decades?
Hour Three
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 3, Block A: James Taranto, WSJ, in re: Not a Dictator President Obama's declaration of ineffectuality. Man of Straw The latest excuse for Obama: Basic political competence is a superhuman power.
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 3, Block B: John Avlon, CNN, The Daily Beast, and Newsweek International, in re: Jeb Bush for president? That Jeb has deep credibility with the most important emerging constituency, Hispanic voters, and a genuine interest in policy initiatives make him a logically attractive if far from inevitable candidate. The potential for a 2016 presidential campaign that pits the Bushes versus the Clintons again—no doubt rebranded as just “Jeb” versus “Hillary”—is cause for some civic despair and nausea. But this Bush deserves credit for engaging in contentious debates and calling out the extremes in his own party. It is the kind of leadership we need to see more of in the GOP, whatever last name is attached.
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 3, Block C: . Sidney Perkins lost micro continents of Indian Ocean Basin, and lost source of cosmic rays. From Nature News: evidence of a long-lost microcontinent lying under the seafloor between Madagascar and India From Science News for Kids, two stories: One about astronomers finally pinning down the source of cosmic rays
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 3, Block D: Sarah Maslin Nir, in re: You May Now Kiss the Computer Screen Some international couples are marrying by proxy over the Internet, a practice so new that immigration authorities say they do not typically watch for it.
Hour Four
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 4, Block A: A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander ; 1 of 4
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 4, Block B: A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander; 2 of 4
"A top-notch narrative of the unlikely encounter between one of Germany’s leading fighter aces, Franz Stigler, and the rookie crew of an American bomber in the frigid skies of Germany in December 1943...Based on thousands of hours of interviews and an evident knowledge of his subject, Makos details the frantic life of the German fighter pilots living on the edge, and the American bomber crews, far from home, fighting to survive...A riveting story of humanity and mercy set against the ghastly backdrop of war."—Publishers Weekly
“This book grips you like a movie. It's part Top Gun, part Valkyrie, and more!”—Marcus Brotherton, author of the New York Times bestseller, We Who Are Alive and Remain
“It is often said that ‘war is hell’—and it is—however, this story reveals how the human spirit can shine in the darkest hours. A Higher Call is an eye-opener.”—Colonel Charles McGee, Tuskegee Airman, WWII
“‘Can good men be found on both sides of a bad war?’ The author asks the question and delivers the answer. A powerful, haunting read.”—Chuck Tatum, author of Red Blood, Black Sand
“A Higher Call exemplifies beautifully the brotherhood of warriors, and will forever change how you look at World War II.”—Eric Blehm, author of the New York Times bestseller, Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown
“From the horrors of the most savage war in history emerges this beautiful story of a brotherhood between enemies. Simply told, splendid, and well worth the read.”—Joe Galloway, coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller, We Were Soldiers, Once…and Young
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 4, Block C: A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander; 3 of 4
Wednesday 6 March 2013 / Hour 4, Block D: A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander; 4 of 4
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Music
Hour 1: Hero, Star Trek, Shaolin
Hour 2: Shaolin, Tomorrow Never Dies, Kingdom of the Tiger
Hour 3: Knight & Day, Crysis, Jane Eyre
Hour 4: The Pacific