Today on Kresta - April 6, 2009

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Apr. 6

3:00 – The Mullah, the Caudillo, and the Terrorist
In Paraguay, an AK-47 can be bought and smuggled securely to one’s hotel room across the border in Brazil for about $400. Explosives go for a bit more, but they also can be procured fairly easily. Who is buying? Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Iranians. Apoorva Shah of the American Enterprise Institute says Iranian activity in Latin America is a significant and growing subversive threat. So why is America shunning its allies in the region? We find out.

3:20 – Passed: Biggest Budget in American History
Maurice Greenburg, former AIG chairman, admitted to House representatives last week that AIG does not plan on paying back taxpayers, and the Federal Reserve’s involvement in the company made things worse. Thomas Woods is not surprised by this and says “Well, well, well. So now even the ex-chairman of AIG agrees with us that bankruptcy was the best solution.” What about the auto industry and what about the impact of the trillions of spending now passed by Congress in the biggest budget in US history? Tom has some opinions.

4:00 – A Debate: God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
The recent runaway bestsellers God Is Not Great and The God Delusion, among others, have left Christians feeling defensive. But instead of just responding, Al goes direct to one of the primary sources – Christopher Hitchens. The famed atheist apologist joins us to debate his contention that God is not great.

5:00 – The Tale of Despereaux – released on DVD tomorrow
There are in children’s literature two beloved, gallant mice who love honor and chivalry, both of whom this year have found their way onto the big screen as computer-animated characters. One is Reepicheep, who appeared in this spring’s Disney–Walden co-production The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. And the other is the hero of Kate DiCamillo’s enchanting The Tale of Despereaux. The film version of Desperaeux is out on DVD tomorrow. Steven Greydanus is here with the review and for 10 lucky callers, we have DVDs and Desperaeux lunch boxes to give away.

5:20 – Italian earthquake, JPII Miracles, and Fr. Frederico Lombardi
A powerful earthquake struck central Italy early Monday, killing more than 150 people, making up to 50,000 homeless and flattening entire medieval towns while residents slept. As rescue workers continue to comb through the rubble for survivors and rushed to set up tents for the homeless before night fell, officials warned the death toll could still rise substantially and declined to estimate the number of missing. Also, two miracles may be on the way to Pope John Paul the Great’s cause for Canonization, and reports say the Papal spokesman, Fr. Frederico Lombardi is stepping down. Our Vatican correspondent, Joan Lewis, is with us.

5:40 – Brownback Condemns North Korea and Calls for Sanctions and Stepped-up ABL Program
After three hours of closed-door talks, the UN Security Council failed to reach agreement on how to respond to North Korea's long-range rocket launch seen by most Western nations as a clear violation of UN resolutions. Sen. Sam Brownback is not so undecided. Brownback today condemned the North Korean regime after they launched a ballistic missile Sunday morning which passed over Japan and fell into the Pacific Ocean in clear violation of international agreement. He says the North Korean regime remains one of the worst human rights abusers in the world, responsible for millions of deaths caused by famine, forced labor, and political executions. There are estimated to be up to 200,000 political prisoners in forced labor camps throughout North Korea. He join us.