Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Clinton Years (1993-1996)
206 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 27 years ago - ★★★★ - 8 ratingsBill Clinton’s first term encompassed controversies from the Israeli-Palestinian Oslo accords and gays in the military to the North American Free Trade Agreement and an attempt at healthcare reform. A fascinating social, cultural and political history of American life, through the words of British-American journalist and broadcaster, Alistair Cooke (1908 – 2004).
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Episodes
A Nation of hair stylists
January 13, 1995 21:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBThe nature of reviewing the past and predicting the future, and musings on how abstract votes will affect the nomination of Democratic presidential candidate.
Clinton and 'Me too' Democrats
January 06, 1995 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBNewt Gingrich becomes speaker of the US House of Representatives. American apathy towards foreign policy and Clinton's shift towards the centre are explored by Alistair Cooke.
Barry Goldwater, and Reagan's speech
December 30, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBFormer Senator Barry Goldwater, the speech that won Ronald Reagan the Governorship of California and the state of the Republican Party in 1994 are assessed by Alistair Cooke.
Carter's diplomacy and White House security
December 23, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBJimmy Carter's diplomatic efforts, the security problems faced by the White House and the size of Lyndon Johnson's handkerchief are mused over by Alistaire Cooke.
OJ Simpson and the legal process, 1994
December 16, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBA mass shooting on a Long Island commuter train, the OJ Simpson trial and the litigation involved in becoming a US citizen lead Cooke to discuss the legal process in America.
Cable TV and local news
December 09, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe rise of cable television and the difficulty it creates when trying to find a truly local news story, discussed by Alistair Cooke in San Francisco.
Bosnia and the power of NATO
December 02, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe erosion of San Franciscan water pipes, the continuing conflict in Bosnia and the American feeling that NATO is becoming a redundant entity are discussed by Alistair Cooke.
Newt Gingrich and the constitution
November 25, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBNewt Gingrich is installed as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alistair Cooke examines his suggested amendments to the constitution, and the life of new legislation.
Clinton on welfare and free trade
November 18, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBPresident Clinton's failure to deliver on welfare reform, the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the need for speculation in journalism.
Clinton's medical reforms
November 11, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBThe Republican landslide Senate victory leads Alistair Cooke to critique Clinton's medical reform and recalls presidents who have triumphed in the face of adversity.
Halloween 1994
November 04, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe history of Halloween, how a rise in street crime has affected the celebration and the objections of the Christian right, are discussed by Alistair Cooke.
The Kennedy Family
October 28, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBSenator Edward Kennedy and Mitt Romney's televised debate before the 1994 Congressional elections provides an opportunity to discuss the history of the Kennedy family.
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
October 21, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBA new American ally is assessed by Alistair Cooke, following the donation of four billion dollars to North Korea to curb the production of nuclear arms.
Diane Feinstein's forestry bill
October 14, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBSenator Diane Feinstein's heroic effort to pass a bill in Congress for the protection of 6 million acres of Californian desert highlights the drama of congressional voting.
North Korean nuclear development
September 30, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBNorth Korea's persistent nuclear development puts the UN in a tough situation; Cooke wonders whether Jimmy Carters diplomatic discussions or the UN Forces are the best deterrent.
American troops in Haiti
September 23, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBAs American troops enter Haiti, Alistair Cooke chronicles President Clinton's motivations for intervening in the conflict and explains Jimmy Carter's role in the negotiations.
American political underdogs
September 16, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBHow President Clinton's position will be affected by the upcoming congressional elections leads Cooke to recall the underdogs and upsets from the history of American politics.
Employment in America
September 09, 1994 20:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBEmployment in America, and attempts to define the modern working population are discussed by Cooke, following the cancellation of the Labor Day parade in New York.
Allied troops leave Berlin in 1994
September 02, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBThe Allied troop withdrawals from Berlin prompt Alistair Cooke to remember the division of Germany following the Second World War.
USA, Cuba, and Guantanamo Bay
August 26, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBThe US role in the Cuban War of Independence and how America is housing Cuban refugees in the Guantanamo Bay facility are considered by Alistair Cooke.
Johnny Madison Williams
August 19, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBBank robber Johnny Madison Williams Junior's story, leads Cooke to explore the concept of the crook as a national hero, and anticipate the fallout from the OJ Simpson trial.
Community policing, protest and riots
August 12, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBThe FBI's powers, the need for "community policing", and the history of protest at UC Berkley are discussed by Alistair Cooke following a riot in Harlem Heights.
Preserving the peace in Serbia
August 05, 1994 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBAmerica's historic obligation to preserving the peace and protecting the innocent in Greater Serbia, discussed by Alistair Cooke.
Nuclear non-proliferation
July 29, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBKathleen Bailey, a straight talking organiser shakes up a world conference at Livermore, with the renewal of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty high on political agendas.
Shoemaker-Levy 9 and Arthur C Clarke
July 22, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBThe Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 collision with Jupiter leads Alistair Cooke to discuss the thinning of the ozone layer and the work of Arthur C Clarke.
Haiti
July 15, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBClinton's desire for a stronger relationship with Germany, the history of Haiti and the latest developments in the OJ Simpson case are mulled over by Alistair Cooke.
OJ Simpson media coverage
July 08, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBHow the OJ Simpson trial is being reported on either side of the Atlantic, and some parallels with the abdication of Edward VIII are discussed by Alistair Cooke.
OJ Simpson trial
July 01, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBUnceasing rumours surrounding the OJ Simpson trial make Alistair Cooke reflect on the American desire to know the verdict before hearing the facts.
American sport
June 24, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBThe state of sport in America is assessed by Alistair Cooke as the 1994 World Cup commences. And he commemorates the final allied troops leaving Berlin.
Clinton and Gonzales
June 17, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe leadership of Clinton and Felipe Gonzalez of Spain is compared by Cooke, who explores how the public expectations of elected officials have changed.
Clinton and the military
June 10, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBPresident Clinton's relationship with the military is explored by Alistair Cooke, who considers whether his lack of active service places him in a compromised position.
50th anniversary of D Day, 1994
June 03, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBThe Polish contribution to the Normandy landings are examined by Cooke following the 50th D Day commemorations, including why recent allied operations have been less successful.
Pearl White
May 27, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBSilent movie actress Pearl White (1889-1938), the case against Dan Rostenkowski and the latest allegations levelled against President Clinton are discussed by Alistair Cooke.
Health bill and Brown v Board Board of Education
May 20, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBClinton's controversial health bill, and the impact of the famous Brown v Board of Education case 1954, 40 years ago, including its unintended consequences.
American education
May 13, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12 MBThe American education system is examined by Alistair Cooke, who considers the rise of progressive schools and asks whether an increase in home schooling is a viable proposition.
President Clinton's first 15 months
May 06, 1994 20:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBPresident Clinton's first 15 months in office and the challenges he faces both at home, and abroad including, the looming crisis in Haiti are reflected on by Alistair Cooke.
Richard Nixon: his great work
April 29, 1994 20:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBIn his assessment of Richard Nixon, Alistair Cooke details the life of the only president to resign from office, including his work in China and the Watergate scandal.
Michael Fay in Singapore
April 22, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBFollowing the detention of 18 year old Michael Fay, an American citizen in Singapore, Alistair Cooke looks at what Fay's treatment can tell us about Singapore.
Clinton’s global reputation
April 15, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe manipulative power of magazines, President Clinton's reputation abroad and the public demand for representation are explored by Alistair Cooke in the wake of Whitewater.
Justice Blackman retires
April 08, 1994 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBThe retirement of Justice Blackman from the Supreme Court of Justice reminds Alistair Cooke of the good, the bad and the senile aspects of law making.
Whitewater
April 01, 1994 20:00 - 14 minutes - 12.8 MBThe Whitewater investigation, the reaction to Hilary Clinton's controversial financial dealings and the workings of the commodities market are explained by Alistair Cooke.
Admiral William J Crowe
March 25, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBAdmiral William J Crowe, the newly appointed American Ambassador to the United Kingdom, is profiled by Alistair Cooke.
The tobacco industry, and Tonya Harding
March 18, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBThe uncertain future of America's tobacco industry and the growing problem of plea bargains after the trial of figure skater Tonya Harding are discussed by Alistair Cooke.
The survival of immigrants in America
March 11, 1994 21:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBA 1930's tourist guide describing Boston's demographic make-up makes Alistair Cooke reflect on how immigrants survive and prosper in America.
Nixon, 'and the rest you know'...
March 04, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBHow the wistful sign off "and the rest you know" at the end of Alistair Cooke's letter on how congressional moves to impeach Richard Nixon came about.
Military intervention in Bosnia
February 25, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBPresident Clinton's concerns over US military intervention, a newfound resolve over the war in Bosnia and a bogeyman in the shape of a Russian bear are discussed by Alistair Cooke.
History of chocolate
February 19, 1994 21:00 - 14 minutes - 12.8 MBThe history of chocolate and how new research is re-defining it as an unlikely health food is considered by Alistair Cooke, on his travels to California.
Clinton’s draft dodge
February 11, 1994 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBBill Clinton's draft dodging during the Vietnam War is remembered by Alistair Cooke upon hearing that America's trade embargo on Vietnam is soon to be lifted.
How ice cream changed America
February 04, 1994 21:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBReuben Mattus, the inventor of Haagen-Dazs ice-cream, reminds Alistair Cooke of other immigrants who have shaped America.
The Bobbitt case
January 28, 1994 21:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBLorena Bobbitt's acquittal for cutting off her husband's penis causes Alistair Cooke to reflect on legal definitions of insanity in the state of Virginia.