Description:
Christopher Lydon and Gail Harris are hosts of a Ten O'Clock News broadcast. Lydon reads news headlines about the Middle East. Brian Barron reports that the US government may have underreported US casualties during the US invasion of Grenada. Harris reports on a visit to Japan by Ronald Reagan (US President) and Nancy Reagan (US First Lady). Harris reports that Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts) visited Washington D.C. to lobby for acid rain legislation to protect Quabbin Reservoir and for federal funding for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Kate McGrath reports on the approval by the Massachusetts House of Representatives of Dukakis' controversial capital outlay bill. McGrath notes that the bill passed despite Republican opposition. McGrath's report includes footage from interviews with William Robinson (House Minority Leader), Charles Flaherty (Massachusetts House of Representatives) and Frank Keefe (State Secretary for Administration and Finance). Harris reports that Dr. Edward Teller (scientist) and Hans Bethe (Nobel Prize winning scientist) debated the Reagan administration's Strategic Defense Initiative proposal at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Lydon reads headlines about elections nationwide. Lydon interviews in-studio guest David Wiegand (Editor, Cambridge Chronicle) about the referendum in Cambridge to ban all nuclear weapons research in the city. Wiegand describes the debate surrounding the referendum and predicts that it will not pass. Lydon presents one of the reports in a series on mayoral candidates Mel King and Ray Flynn. This report explores Mel King's background and early days as a social worker in a settlement house in the South End. The report includes footage from interviews with John O'Bryant (Boston School Committee), Paul Parks (architect), Joyce King (wife of Mel King), Ed McClure (US Justice Department), Herbert Gleason (former Chairman, United South End Settlements) and Chuck Turner (teacher). Lydon also interviews Robert Shagoury (computer manufacturer), Edward Domit (social worker) and Thomas Shea (retailer), all of whom comment on King's social work
1:00:12: The logos of The Ten O'Clock News underwriters New England Telephone and Shawmut Brokerage Services are displayed. Gail Harris opens the news by summarizing an upcoming story on Mel King (candidate for mayor of Boston). Visual: Shot of King walking through a housing project. Opening credits for The Ten O'Clock News. Christopher Lydon says that David Wiegand (editor, Cambridge Chronicle) is in the studio for an interview. Gail Harris reviews another upcoming story.
1:01:17: Lydon reads the headlines. Lydon reports on the Geneva talks on Lebanon. Lydon reports that there are rumors of a truce in Northern Lebanon; that Yasser Arafat and his troops are trapped in Tripoli. V: Footage of PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) fighters in Tripoli. Lydon reports that Syria may be talking to other Arab states about a ceasefire in the area; that Egypt has expressed interest in rescuing Arafat. Harris reports on the appointment of an advisory council to serve as the provisional government of Grenada until elections are held. Harris reports on army explanations for problems experienced by Army Rangers when they parachuted into Grenada during the invasion. Harris reports that the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) has reported that US casualties during the Grenada invasion were much higher than the US government has indicated.
1:03:25: Brian Barron reports from Granada. Barron reports that the US government has reported that four helicopters were shot down during the invasion. Barron says that his sources indicate that 12 to 20 helicopters were shot down during the invasion. V: Shots of a beach in Grenada; of helicopter parts lying on the beach; of youth playing a game of soccer near a downed helicopter. Barron reports that Cuban soldiers used anti-tank missiles to shoot down US helicopters; that American casualties have not been fully disclosed. V: Shots of a US military briefing in Grenada; of an overturned tank on a deserted road. Barron notes that the US government reported 18 dead. Barron reports that military sources indicate that 42 soldiers died; that the final figure will reflect more than 70 dead soldiers. Barron reports that US casualties may exceed Cuban casualties. Barron reports that the US government had indicated 29 soldiers missing in action; that the US government now reports no soldiers missing in action; that the US government will not disclose civilian casualties. V: Shot of a hand-lettered sign in a field; of American soldiers on a transport truck. Shots of Grenadan civilians walking among destroyed buildings and rubble. Barron reports at least 100 dead civilians. Barron reports that seven Americans were killed in an earlier mission to rescue the Grenadan governor general. V: Footage of the Grenadan governor general; of US helicopters over Grenada. Barron reports that the American invasion surprised the British government; that American soldiers are still taking prisoners; that American intelligence officers are interrogating the leaders of the coup. V: Footage of American soldiers taking prisoners.
1:05:09: Harris reports on the visit of Ronald Reagan (US President) to Japan. V: Shots of Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan (US First Lady) at a ceremony with Japanese officials. Harris reports that Reagan is seeking to settle a trade dispute between the two nations; that Yasuhiro Nakasone (Prime Minister of Japan) is hoping to use Reagan's visit to bolster Nakasone's sagging popularity in Japan. V: Shots of Reagan and Nakasone in meetings. Harris reports that Reagan is scheduled to address the Japanese Parliament on Friday.
1:06:09: Winning lottery numbers for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
1:06:35: Harris reports that Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts ) visited Washington D.C. today; that Dukakis and Edward Kennedy (US Senator) met with Congressional leaders lobby for acid rain legislation and highway money for Massachusetts. Harris reports that the highway funds will go toward a third harbor tunnel and the depression of the Central Artery. Harris reports that Massachusetts leaders are pressing for acid rain legislation to counter the increasing acid levels in the Quabbin Reservoir; that an increased acid level in drinking water poses a health threat by eating away at lead lined water pipes. Harris reports that the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved $640 million dollars for Dukakis' five-year building plan. Harris introduces a report by Kate McGrath.
1:07:30: McGrath reports that Republicans in the Massachusetts House of Representatives say that budget for Dukakis' five-year building plan is too large. V: Footage of McGrath interviewing William Robinson (House Minority Leader) about the budget. Robinson says that the state's line of credit is overextended; that this bond issue will be among the highest in Massachusetts' history if approved. McGrath reports that Charles Flaherty (Massachusetts House of Representatives) agrees that the debt incurred by the building plan will be overwhelming. V: Footage of Flaherty saying that the bonding authorization is premature; that the administration had not taken the proper steps to prepare for major construction projects. Footage of the members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in the House chambers. McGrath reports that amendments cutting out sections of the capital outlay bill were defeated by Democratic representatives; that many Democratic representatives were promised projects in their districts. V: Footage of Flaherty saying that he will not go so far as to call it "pork barrel politics." Flaherty talks about the Democratic leaders "scurrying" to secure votes. McGrath reports that Dukakis' capital outlay bill includes improvements to the Franklin Park Zoo, flood control projects and new parking lots. V: Shots of the Franklin Park Zoo; of wetlands; of parked cars. Footage of Robinson complaining that there is $20 million in the bill to improve the offices of members of the Ways and Means Committee; that those improvements are not necessary. McGrath reports that the money for office improvements for the Ways and Means Committee was eventually cut out of the bill. V: Footage of Frank Keefe (State Secretary for Administration and Finance) saying that the bill authorizes money for needed repairs; that there has been no capital outlay in the state budget for three years. McGrath reports from outside of the House chambers. McGrath reports that Keefe says that the governor will cut unnecessary "pet" projects out of the final budget. McGrath says that Dukakis will cut the projects of legislators whom he can afford to offend.
1:10:21: Harris reports on a debate at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University between Dr. Edward Teller (scientist) and Hans Bethe (Nobel Prize winning scientist). Harris reports that the two scientists debated the viability of Reagan's "Star Wars" defense project; that the two scientists were colleagues on the Manhattan Project. V: Footage of the debate between Teller and Bethe. Teller argues that "Star Wars" is a viable defense plan. Bethe counters that arms control is the only solution to US defense problems.
1:11:59: Lydon gives the weather report. WGBH promotions for The Ten O'Clock News and The Making of a Continent.
1:13:28: Lydon reports on elections across the nation. He notes that Kentucky elected Martha Lane Collins as governor; that Wilson Goode was elected as the first African American mayor of Philadelphia; that an African American mayor was elected in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lydon reports that Dan Evans won the Washington state Senate seat of the deceased Henry "Scoop" Jackson; that voters in Maine rejected a ban on moose hunting. Lydon reports that voters in Gloucester, Brockton, and Salem (Massachusetts) rejected the fluoridation of the public water supply.
1:13:58: Lydon reports on the referendum in Cambridge, Massachusetts to ban all nuclear weapons research in that city. Lydon reports that the law would have shut down Draper Labs in Cambridge; that the law might have ended research on arms control as well as arms development. Lydon reports that paper ballots and the proportional representation system make the counting of votes a slow process; that the referendum appears to have been rejected by voters. Lydon introduces David Wiegand (editor, Cambridge Chronicle) as the in-studio guest. Lydon reports that Wiegand came out in favor of putting the referendum on the ballot; that Wiegand later did not support the referendum. Wiegand says that many voters supported the referendum as a symbolic gesture; that many did not think the ban could be enforced. Wiegand says that the debate centered on whether a local government should be able to exert control over the research and business conducted within its borders. Wiegand says that the nuclear freeze movement was divided over whether to support the referendum; that many found the referendum to be "Orwellian." Wiegand says that many critics think that effort should be directed at federal policy; that the referendum would eventually be found unconsitutional. Wiegand says that many thought the referendum would pass easily in Cambridge; that the opposition campaigned heavily against the referendum. Wiegand says that the debate over the referendum helped to raise doubt among potential supporters. Lydon comments that a strange alliance of corporate interests, academic interests and arms control supporters formed to oppose the referendum. Wiegand says that many in the opposition were against a government ban on research of any kind. Wiegand says that the result of the vote is not sure; that the referendum probably will not pass.
1:18:22: Stock report: the Dow Jones average is listed at 1,232.52; the volume of the New York Exchange is listed at 83,100,000 shares. WGBH promotion for Wall Street Week.
1:19:27: Lydon introduces a report on Mel King (candidate for mayor of Boston) and his early career as a social worker. V: Footage of King, John O'Bryant (Boston School Committee), Paul Parks (architect), and Joyce King (wife of Mel King) talking about the diversity of the South End neighborhood where they grew up. Lydon reports from Seneca Street, where King grew up. A train passes by on the elevated tracks behind Lydon. Lydon reports that the "New York streets" neighborhood where King grew up was razed in the 1950s; that King learned to appreciate diversity and to share with the less fortunate while growing up in the South End neighborhood. V: Footage of King saying that he learned from his family the importance of sharing with the less fortunate. King says that it is important to feel good about oneself in order to feel good about others; that he likes to teach people to solve problems for themselves. Lydon reports that King's first job out of college was at a Settlement House in the South End; that King was helping teenagers as a street corner social worker in the 1950s. V: Footage of Ed McClure (US Justice Department) and Lydon walking in the South End. McClure talks about being King's partner in social work in the 1950s. McClure says that King was on a mission to reach out to those who needed help; that King's humility allowed him to make the initial contact with people. Lydon reports from a basketball gym at the Blackstone School in the South End. Men are playing a basketball game behind him. Lydon says that King is a regular at weekly games at the gym; that King has known many of the players since childhood. V: Footage of the basketball game. Footage of Robert Shagoury (computer manufacturer) talking about his early memories of King trying to put together a Little League baseball team in his neighborhood. Footage of Edward Domit (social worker) saying that King had great confidence in people; that King was trying to reach out to the young kids who needed help. Footage of Thomas Shea (retailer) talking about the support and guidance given to him by King when Shea was younger. Footage of King saying that he tries to empower people to solve their own problems. Footage of Shea saying that he went to visit King after graduating from college; that King was genuinely happy for him. Footage of McClure saying that King is dedicated to helping people. Lydon reports from 48 Rutland Street, the site of the Settlement House where King lived and worked. Lydon describes the conflict between King and the board of the United South End Settlements (USES). Lydon says that USES accused King of neglecting paperwork; that King accused the USES of forcing him to choose between his community and their bureaucracy. V: Footage of Herbert Gleason (former Chairman of USES) saying that King is passionate and compassionate. Gleason talks about the importance of efficient administration of social programs. Footage of Shagoury saying that King was an effective administrator of social programs. Footage of McClure saying that the goal of social work is to help people to adjust to their conditions; that another goal is to help people change their conditions. Footage of Chuck Turner (teacher) saying that King's vision is to help people to live positive lives.
1:29:10: Sports scores: the Celtics beat San Diego, 129 - 122; the Bruins are tied with Buffalo in the third period.
1:29:22: Harris reports that research findings that the noise of a crying infant can measure 100 to 117 decibels; that exposure to that level of noise can be harmful to the ears. Harris reports that infants can be made to go to sleep more quickly by adding a small amount of sugar to their evening feeding.
1:30:11: Lydon reports that the news show NBC Overnight has been canceled. Lydon and Harris close the show. Closing credits roll. The logos of The Ten O'Clock News underwriters New England Telephone, and Shawmut Brokerage Services are displayed.
Date Created:
11/09/1983
