February 2 – Governor Christie in the Shadows at the Super Bowl; The Super Bowl as a Celebration of Corporate Power and Privilege; Argentina’s “Mad Queen”

Full Program

Part 1

We begin with the main event in New Jersey, the Super Bowl, which should be a moment for Governor Christie to be basking in the spotlight, but instead he is likely to be seen lurking in the shadows as the deepening political scandals surrounding him show no signs of abating. Salvadore Rizzo, who covers New Jersey state government for the Star Ledger joins us to discuss charges by Christie’s former close aide that the governor knew about the bridge closures while they were happening and Sal Rizzo’s latest article at the Star Ledger “Bridge Scandal: When did Christie learn about the lane closures?”

Part 2

Then we look into the corporatization of the Super Bowl as private and corporate jets pack the nearby Teterboro Airport and the bulk of tickets for today’s event are way beyond the reach of average citizens. Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist formerly with The New York Times, David Cay Johnston joins us to discuss the Broncos versus Seahawks game at MetLife stadium as a celebration of corporate power and privilege with luxury suites up to a million dollars complete with private chefs and climate-control.

Part 3

Then finally we examine the latest political and economic crisis in Argentina were there is a run on the banks with the peso in free fall and people lining up for blocks to buy dollars while President Cristina Kirchner is all but AWOL to the point she is seen by many a “mad queen”, out of touch with her people and possibly out of touch with reality. Robert Cox, the former editor of the Buenos Aires Herald, who has been called the hero of Argentine journalism for risking his life to report on kidnappings, torture and the murder and disappearance of thousands during the Dirty War of the 1970’s and 80’s, joins us to discuss the latest self-inflicted wounds to a country rich in resources and talent.