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Resultaat 841 - 860 (van 2011)
Spy game
Een CIA-agent probeert op de dag voor zijn pensioen een jonge collega, die door de CIA wordt opgeofferd, te redden uit een Chinese gevangenis
Film
Paris, Texas
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The amazing Mr Blunden
Nadat de kinderen van een weduwe in contact zijn gekomen met de geesten van de slachtoffers van een brand, die 100 jaar eerder op een landgoed woedde, proberen zij de ware toedracht en de mysterieuze rol die een oude advocaat hierbij speelde te achterhalen
Film
Global politics
In the world of the 21st century, the basic tools of diplomacy are not far different than they were at the country's inception. The primary goal of United States foreign policy is the preservation of the American state. This requires not only military readiness to protect the territorial integrity and international interests of the United States, but also global policies that foster economic growth and preserve the nation's position in the international marketplace. This episode takes a close look...
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The glorious burden
The writers of the Constitution had a basic idea of what they wanted in a president: a national leader who would carry out the law of the land, a statesman who could negotiate with world powers, a commander-in-chief in times of conflict. But they had no models to follow, and the vague words they used to describe the position in in Article II, Section I, of the Constitution left a lot of questions unanswered. This episode explores the foundations of the modern presidency, and takes viewers from the...
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Health of the Nation, Health of the Planet/ producer, Sally Beaty
Despite attempts to provide an equitable baseline of healthcare for Americans, an estimated 44 million people in the United States have no health insurance at all, public or private. This episode looks at various governmental attempts to insure a "healthy" America, from the work of various research agencies (NIH and CDC) and regulatory units (EPA and FDA) to specific governmental programs, like Medicare and Medicaid
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The living constitution
A look at the Constitution in contemporary terms reveals a short document-7,000 words long-shorter than every state constitution except Vermont's. Only thirty-three of the more than 11,000 amendments that have been proposed have been approved by Congress and submitted to states. Twenty-seven have been ratified. Nevertheless, the Constitution is an unfinished work that has evolved through less formal methods of change-congressional legislation, presidential actions, judicial review, custom and use
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The most basics of rights
Without government, people live in a state of anarchy. With unbridled government, men and women may live in a state of tyranny. The civil liberties imbedded in the Bill of Rights place specific limitations on governmental power. For example, the basic rights addressed in the first amendment-freedoms of religion, speech, press, and assembly-cannot be abridged or taken away. But the Bill of Rights, like the rest of the Constitution is relatively brief. Broad guidelines are set forth in the language...
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The nation's welfare
Poverty is a large and persistent problem in the United States, deeply affecting about one in seven Americans, including many of the country's most vulnerable groups: children, female "head of household" families, and minorities. Just what government's role should be in alleviating this problem is an intensely debated, partisan issue. Social welfare programs are designed to reward and foster self reliance or, when this is not possible, to provide benefits only to those individuals who are truly in...
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Party politics
The patterns of party politics in the United States provide a fascinating platform from which to view American political history. Divergent interests, seeking to strengthen their voice, join with others in creating a common political agenda, often under the Republican or Democrat banner. In recent years, as the two major parties have become more narrowly defined, many political moderates feel they've lost their political home. Third party ventures tend to work to only a limited degree because of...
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The power imperative
Although agencies are subject to scrutiny by the president, Congress, and the judiciary, bureaucrats are able to achieve power in their own right. They often develop an "agency point of view" because of their expert knowledge, support from clientele groups, and backing by Congress or the president. This episode, featuring among others former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and former Secretary of State James Baker, depicts the nature of the federal bureaucracy and the politics that surrounds it.
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Preserve, protect and defend
It was a sparkling September morning in New York City. The familiar cacophony of taxi horns and street vendors greeted commuters as they emerged from the subway. No one anticipated that in a matter of moments the city-the country-would be under attack. Since 11 September 2001, the protection and defense of the United States has occupied center stage. This episode looks not only the nation's response to the terrorist attacks, but also examines the defense and "peace keeping" policy of the country...
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Questions of sovereignty
Explores American federalism-the system of relationships among the U.S. government; the fifty state governments; and town, city, and county governments-and compares it to other ways of ordering relations between central governments and local units
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Rule nine
The writers of the Constitution were determined that the judiciary would be a separate branch of the federal government but, for practical reasons, did not spell out the full structure of the federal court system. Article III establishes the Supreme Court of the United States, and then grants Congress the authority to establish lower federal courts of its choosing. Unlike the executive and legislative branches, there are no age, residency, or citizenship qualifications for federal judicial office,...
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The struggle for equality
When the Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, the term "all men" did not include slaves, Native Americans, men without property, or women. During the last two hundred years, various minority groups have struggled to strengthen and expand constitutional guarantees of equality
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Voices of the people
Americans attach great significance to the right to vote. But the privilege of voting, so basic to democratic government, is a right that took many Americans centuries to achieve. In comparison to many nations in the world, voter participation in the United States is declining. Studies show a relationship between voting and a person's age, education, and economic status. In addition to voting, citizens participate in the political process through community and campaign activities, and by participating...
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American experiment
Narrative story of the settlement and early days of the colonies, culminating in the fight for independence and the evolution of a constitutional framework of government for the new United States. Comments of scholars interwoven with excerpts from writings of those who were on the scene
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American heritage
American politics today cannot be understood apart from the Latinos heritage. Government does not begin over again with each generation; it builds on the past. In the case of the United States, the most significant link between past and present lies in the Latinos founding ideals. This episode examines the key principles that have shaped American politics since the countries earliest years
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Balancing act
When the Great Depression struck in the 1930s, there were no programs in place to stabilize and stimulate the U.S. economy. Businesses cut back on production, investors fled the stock market, depositors withdrew their bank savings, and consumers slowed their spending responses that only made the situation worse. This episode focuses on the economic role of government focusing on its promotion and regulation of economic interests, its fiscal and monetary policies, the politics of economic decision...
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The first branch
The founders of the American republic believed that the bulk of power exercised by a national government should be in the hands of the legislature. Article I of the Constitution is both highly specific and vague about the powers Congress may exercise. This episode follows three current and past members of Congress through the election process and their early days in office. It examines the differences between the ways the Senate and House of Representatives operate, the every-ten-year redistricting...
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