Tony Brown's Journal • 1998 Programs

#2101 – “WAS RON BROWN SHOT?”
The NAACP has voiced concerns over the statements made by military doctors that Ron Brown may have been shot. Secretary Brown was one of 35 people who were killed in an Air Force plane crash in Croatia. Questions about Brown’s death and the bizarre investigation of the crash–missing black boxes, the flight data recorder, three fired generals, and a Croatian chief maintenance engineer at the airport, who committed suicide just before his interrogation on the crash, may lead to shocking revelations about the Commerce Secretary’s death.

#2102 – “THE DEBT BOMB”
In his new book The Debt Bomb and Savings Pool, author Thomas McAuliffe explains how debt is driving all that’s going wrong with this nation. The former banker and economist says that America is dangerously approaching economic catastrophe while our public officials and bankers say the economy is fine. Characterizing press and media assessments of the economy as wholesale ignorance and cavalier indifference, McAuliffe warns that it is critical that we get the issue of debt and its consequences on the table for serious discussion. Why are government officials telling us that our economy is doing fine? McAuliffe explains the shocking truth.

#2103— “THE Y2K PROBLEM”
Come January 1, 2000, every computer–unless it’s been reprogrammed–will think that it’s January 1, 1900. Whether it’s the computers that track our nation’s money supply or control our missile defense system–if it hasn’t been reengineered to recognize year 2000, it will fail. That means that approximately 180 billion lines of computer code have to be rewritten with enough time to spare for testing. It has become known as the Y2K problem and the price tag has been estimated as high as $1 trillion worldwide. The Assistant Secretary of Defense says that in year 2000 we are going to be in the biggest operational test the world has ever seen. The larger question becomes, will the United States be ready?

#2104 – “BILL CLINTON: UNREPORTED STORIES”
As allegations and criticisms escalate in the Monica Lewinsky controversy, a recent book about President Clinton raises new questions. Author Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, a journalist at the Telegraph newspaper in London, talks about new allegations concerning the White House.

#2105 – “A GRADE OF C- ON RACE”
What is the state of race relations in America today? President Clinton’s advisory board on race convened to create a dialogue on this volatile issue. However, the board’s performance has received low marks from the general media. Rev. Suzan Johnson Cook, a member of the advisory board, responds to the criticism and explains the President’s Initiative on Race

#2106 – “A CAN-DO LADY”
Facing a monumental crisis in public education today, leaders in various sectors of society are searching for answers to poor academic achievement. Surprisingly, one shining example of academic excellence can be found in one of the most unlikely places: the heart of New York City’s Harlem community. Frederick Douglass Academy, founded and led by Dr. Lorraine Monroe and a team of dedicated teachers, has transformed poor, disadvantaged students into leaders of tomorrow. On this edition, Dr. Monroe shares her inspirational lessons of success and leadership.

#2107 – “FREE AT LAST”
Angela Thompson was serving a mandatory 15-to-life prison term for selling a little over two ounces of cocaine to an undercover police officer until some members of the law enforcement establishment, the media and the community began to petition for her release. After eight years and two petitions, New York Governor George Pataki granted Angela Thompson clemency. Was Angela Thompson a victim of the system? How effective are laws imposing mandatory penalties for drug offenses? On this program, Angela Thompson talks about her trials and tribulations, and ultimately, triumph.

#2108 – “HIS OWN MAN”
As the Pastor of the legendary Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, Rev. Calvin O. Butts, III has been in the vanguard of community activism. His battles against moral corruption are well-documented in the press and a recent New York magazine article called him a "skillful insider". On this program, Rev. Butts discusses a myriad of issues facing our society, including a possible run for New York City mayor.

#2109 – “JOB.COM”
In 1994, the pool of jobs listed on the Internet was limited to about 15,000 openings nationwide. Today, the top 15 online job banks post upwards of 500,000 job openings. This program explores the how’s, why’s and where’s of finding a job on the Internet with guests Don Willmott, executive editor of PC Magazine Online; Vivian Mackey, Internet manager for the U. S. Office of Personnel Management; and Susan Zaney, a vice president at the Monster Board, which is considered to be one of the top job banks on the Web.

#2110 – “UNIVERSAL AND RACE SUCCESS”
Herbert Harris, author of The Twelve Universal Laws of Success, and George Fraser, author of Race for Success: The Ten Best Business Opportunities for Blacks in America, give their formulas for success.

#2111 – “SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY”
A recent study has found that Black Americans are far less likely to use the global computer network than are Whites. There are mounting concerns that the recent exponential growth of the Internet might worsen the nation’s existing social and economic gaps. America is facing a shortage of workers with high-tech skills and many firms are asking the government to import foreigners to fill the jobs. On this edition, Harris Miller, president of the Information Technology Association of America, discusses the job skills needed for the new millennium.

#2112 – “AFRICA IN CHAOS”
Famine, colonialism, civil war, dictators and terrorism have marked Africa’s political and social history. Is there a prescription for addressing Africa’s problems? What is at the core of the continent’s social and economic chaos? Is Africa in danger of becoming the lost continent as UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali predicts. Guest Dr. George Ayittey, author of Africa in Chaos, believes that African nations such as Nigeria are on the brink of disaster.

#2113 – “Y2K AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL”
The Year 2000 Problem–the programming glitch that prevents computers from recognizing the year 2000–guarantees to have a major impact on every area of society. The private and public sectors are wrestling with this problem, which has already impacted on business and policy-making decisions. This edition will focus on what is being done on the local governmental and community levels to solve the Y2K Problem. Is the solution a civic Y2K Peace Corps? Will the battle against the Y2K bug be won on the grassroots level?

#2114 – “AFRICAN VERSUS EUROPEAN CULTURE”
Afrocentric historians have challenged the Euro-centric world-view of African history and culture. In his newest work, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, author of The Afrocentric Idea, boldly confronts critics of Afrocentric theory.

#2115 – “RACE AND JUSTICE IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM”
Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker, pastor of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ in New York City, has a long list of accomplishments as a religious and civil rights leader. He has articulated his concerns for the social and moral future of the nation in a new book, Race, Justice and Culture.

#2116 – “MORAL ROT?”
While the legal ramifications of Bill Clinton’s problems caused by his sexual activities can result in a Congressional censure or slap on the wrist, the probe into his deeper moral and psychological motives are just beginning. The Rev. Nathan Baxter, dean of the Washington National Cathedral, discusses the moral ramifications of President Clinton’s admission of sexual impropriety.

#2117 – “THE DOLLAR AND Y2K”
This program examines how the electronic payment systems are structured and the affects on the Y2K problem on them. According to currency expert Andrew Gause, there will be inflation, not a recession, as renowned economist Dr. Ed Yardeni predicts. Joining Mr. Gause on this program is Dr. Howard Rubin who recently testified before the U. S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem.

#2118 – “A Y2K ALARMIST”
A 30% fall in the Dow Jones industrial average in 1999 and crashing computers will cause a worldwide recession, even a possible depression. Who would predict such doomsday events: only a Y2K alarmist who also happens to be the chief economist for Deutsche Bank Securities in New York, Dr. Edward Yardeni. Dr. Yardeni reveals some other eye-opening data in a tell-all about the Millenium Bug.

#2119 – “WHY Y2K WILL CRASH THE ECONOMY AND…ABOUT IT”
Dr. Edward Yardeni, chief economist of Deutsche Bank Securities in New York City and the man who is ranked as one of the top market pundits, continues Part II of his alarming discussion of the Year 2000 issue. He predicts a partial collapse of the government, but believes a solution is possible if the Y2K problem is declared a national emergency.

#2120 – “SAVING PRIVATE WASHINGTON”
On the 50th anniversary of the signing of the executive order that officially desegregated the nation’s armed forces, Hollywood was showing its version of that war era. Many Black veterans felt it was another example of how the contributions of Blacks in the military are ignored or maligned. On this program, the series combines archival photographs, vintage footage and interviews with veterans to fill in the missing pages of history.

#2121 – “WHAT CLINICAL DEFINITION WOULD YOU GIVE PRES. CLINTON’S BEHAVIOR?”
As the nation ponders President Bill Clinton’s fate in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, many are asking the same question: Why? Why would a powerful and intelligent man risk engaging in illicit sexual behavior within the walls of the White House? Dr. Jerome Levin, author of The Clinton Syndrome, digs deep into Bill Clinton’s past and discovers some interesting answers.

# 2122 – “MUSIC LEGENDS”
This edition features the thoughts and music of some of the world’s most talented legendary entertainers, including Eubie Blake, Chuck Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Hampton and Charles Brown.

#2123 – “WORDS FOR THE SPIRIT”
On this edition, secular and spiritual leaders share words of wisdom on many of the issues facing society today.

#2124 – “THE BLACK SUMMIT OF 1972: PART I”
#2125 – “THE BLACK SUMMIT OF 1972: PART II”
Can the current leadership face and conquer the challenges of the new millennium? How far have our leaders and issues evolved over the last 25 years? This program takes a look back at some of the events and issues that shaped Black thought more than 25 years ago.