The Advocates with Richard J. Garfunkel on WVOX – AM Radio 1460-
Thursday morning, October 11th, 2007, at 9:00 am, I am hosting my show, “The Advocates” on WVOX- 1460 AM on your dial, or you can listen to its live streaming at www.wvox.com. One can call the show at 914-636-0110 to reach us on the radio. Because last week’s discussion evoked so much interest we are having a follow-up regarding the “Establishment Clause” and faith-based initiatives.
The “Advocates” discusses public policy, and once again our special guest is Mr. Michael Shapiro, a long-time Scarsdale resident and noted criminal defense lawyer. Michael has as an abiding interest in civil liberties, we will discuss the relevance of the “Establishment Clause,” and whether faith-based initiatives threaten the traditional constitutional “wall” envisioned by Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Shapiro, who was raised in the Bronx, and was educated at the City College of New York, where he received a Bachelor of Arts cum laude, later earned his JD from New York University. He is currently a faculty member of the Cardozo Law School’s Intensive Advocacy Program and has been a frequent guest panelist at the Harvard Law School. Michael started his legal career as a prosecutor, serving as a special assistant attorney general in the then newly established NY State Office of the Special Prosecutor for Nursing Homes, Health and Social services. He is now a partner with the prestigious Wall Street, New York law firm, Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, which was established in 1854. As a testament to his career, and reflective of his interested in individual liberty, he was just elected to New York’s most exclusive criminal defense group, the NY Council of Defense Lawyers, an elite organization that promotes the protection of individual rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution through education and advocacy.
Meanwhile the mission of the “Advocates” is to bring to the public differing views on current “public policy “ issues. “Public policy,” therefore, is what we as a nation legally and traditionally follow. Over the years the “public policy” of the United States has changed or has been modified greatly. As an example, “free public education” is the public policy of the United States. Also, over time great struggles have ensued over the control of the direction of “public policy” For example: free trade vs. protectionism, slavery vs. emancipation, state’s rights vs. Federalism, and an all-volunteer armed forces or the “draft.”
There will be no show next week, because Linda and I are taking off to Atlanta and North Carolina for a vacation, and will be back on October 21st.
Richard J. Garfunkel