Meaning of Freedom, Who is Uncle Sam, Making of Heroes

Guest: Grant Madsen, PhD, Professor of History, BYU Freedom is embedded in our national identity and the climactic strain of our National Anthem. It is a significant reason America even exists. It’s the essence of rights we claim as US citizens – freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to exercise religion, freedom to assemble.  But, there’s actually a deep philosophical divide in American politics over what it means to be free. It’s at the root of political disagreements between conservatives and liberals.

Guest: Don Hickey, PhD, Professor of History, Wayne State College in Nebraska Let’s look now at an iconic American symbol—lanky, goateed Uncle Sam, decked out in stars-and-stripes who “wants you” for some patriotic duty. The image is credited to a political cartoonist named Thomas Nast who also came up with popular image of the jolly Santa Claus we know with the white beard and red cheeks. But just how Uncle Same came to represent the United States government is a murkier story that includes a long period when calling the government “Uncle Sam” was actually derogatory.

Guest: Darrell Land, Leader of the Florida Panther Team, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission The Florida Panther is making a comeback. They’ve been on the Endangered Species list since 1967 and they currently live almost exclusively in the southern tip of Florida. Since panthers need a large area to roam, they’re going to have to spread out for their population to thrive. News of panther kittens born outside of their current breeding grounds signals growth of the Florida panther population, but what does that growth mean for surrounding human communities?

Guest: Ari Kohen, PhD, Schlesinger Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Carl Wilkens was the only American to remain in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. He was an Adventist missionary who ignored evacuation orders so he could help two Tutsis who worked for him, as well as some other refugees hiding from Hutu militias. Why did he stay behind in Rwanda at his own peril when every other American service worker, businessman, and diplomat left the country?  We often think that people have to be born heroes, but Prof. Kohen argues that heroism is a learned behavior.

Guest: Shawn O’Neill, Producer and Movie Reviewer, BYUradio The minions are back in theaters—time to get ready for their slightly adorable, slightly annoying appeal. Despicable Me 3 introduces Gru’s evil twin brother, also voiced by Steve Carell.

Guest: Bradley Bundy, PhD, Professor of Chemical Engineering, BYU; Mike Alder, Director, BYU Technology Transfer Office There’s a growing concern in public health over a class of chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system and are linked to cancer and other developmental disorders. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals are found in pesticides, metals, food additives, plastics and even personal care products. BYU chemical engineering professor Brad Bundy is developing a quick way to test for the presence of these chemicals.