Bob Seay Debriefs

Turning a Cell into a "House of God"

Thursday, March 8, 2012   0 comments.

Michael Pollan: Food Rules

By WGBH News   |   Tuesday, January 24, 2012   0 comments.

BOSTON — Michael Pollan is an American author, journalist, activist, and professor of journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Author of the “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” a 2006 New York Times book review describes Pollan as a "liberal foodie intellectual."

Polan will present an illustrated version of his book, "Food Rules," during the Boston Speakers Series this week at Symphony Hall. WGBH News' Bob Seay had a chance to speak with Pollan about his book and his views on food.

The book itself is a "20-minute read," according to Pollan; however, its life changing message is simple: Don't eat what's not good for you.

At the Speakers Series, Pollan will discuss our society's confusion over what's right to eat, as well as what influences our knowledge and informs our choices. He offers up some simple solutions, such as "Don't shop in the center aisles of your grocery store, where the most immortal foods live," explaining that the most processed foods exist there.

Visit Pollan's website for a complete list of his books, articles and a collection of food information resources.

Afghanistan, 10 Years In

By Bob Seay   |   Monday, October 24, 2011   0 comments.

Oct. 6, 2011

BOSTON — October 7 marks the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. WGBH "Morning Edition" host Bob Seay spoke with London correspondent Laura Lynch the day after people took to the streets of Kabul demanding that U.S. and other international forces leave the country. This is the first of a series of conversations with reporters from “The World,” a coproduction of WGBH, PRI and the BBC.

Seay: Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Afghanistan's capital yesterday. . . what does that say about what effect our presence has had?

Lynch: There are people in the country who do not like the presence of foreign troops, who have memories of times when American troops and others have done airstrikes in the country and killed civilians in the course of doing that. So of course there is resentment and people who feel as though this is an occupation. But there are others who very much appreciate the presence of American troops, who have seen it as a liberation for their country and have seen Americans pave the way for trying to make some reforms in the country and some change.

Seay: How would you say the scene in Afghanistan has changed?

Lynch: In Kabul in 2007 the situation was relatively secure. You could walk the streets quite easily without tremendous fear of either kidnapping or of suicide bombings. This time around, I’ve got to tell you, I saw so many more blast walls around buildings. I met people who talked all the time about their fear of a suicide attack coming their way. And children, too. Children are taught openly about the risk of suicide attack.

Hear the whole conversation.

Power In Libya: What’s Next?

By Bob Seay   |   Friday, October 21, 2011   0 comments.

Oct. 21, 2011

BOSTON — With Gadhafi gone, people around the globe wonder what party or person will rise to the top in a country that finally has the chance for democratic rule. WGBH’s Bob Seay talked with Matthew Bell, Middle East correspondent for The World, about the future of Libyan politics.
 
Gadhafi’s death, Bell said, is “definitely a turning point. But I think it’s also a reminder that this is the beginning of something that’s probably going to be a long, difficult and, I would bet, at times painful process. There are a lot of hopes about democracy in Libya . . . but I think it’s going to be a tough road ahead to get there.
 
He wasn’t completely reassured by the promise of interim prime minister Mahmoud Jibril’s announcement that he and the rest of the interim government would resign from power.
 
“A lot of the leaders for the National Transitional Council, they say the right things, they seem very impressive,” Bell said. “They seem to be very forward-thinking, and that certainly gives confidence. But again the country has so many problems. It’s suffered from a leader who never built up institutions, never developed the country. … When you think about a country building a system from scratch, it’s just so much work to do and it’s hard to know what comes next.”

Seay suggested that perhaps the country’s residents weren't thinking that far ahead at the moment: “It seems like most Libyans are just glad to see him gone.” Bell agreed: “Absolutely.”

About Bob Seay Debriefs

  RSS

Topics

• Bob Seay Debriefs
• Boston
• Foodie Blog
• Kitchen, Tools & Tips
• Music
• Music Interviews
• People & Profiles
• Society
• War & Conflict
• WGBH Local News
• World News