Radio America Online News Bureau

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele repeatedly refuses to meet with ex-gays, who wish to correct Steele’s public statement that he doesn’t think ex-gays exist.  Why won’t the RNC agree to these meetings?  What would ex-gays tell Steele in response to his contention that gays are like black people and their status can’t change?  Why is there so much hostility aimed at ex-gays?  And what does the RNC risk in ignoring and alienating such groups?  We ask Christopher Doyle, who serves on the board of directors at Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX).

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The immigration debate is heating up again as Arizona lawmakers approve legislation giving authorities more power to apprehend suspected illegal immigrants.  Critics call the bill everything from racial profiling to Nazi-like.  California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher tells us in plain language why he likes the bill and explains what he sees as the real agenda of those who are soft on immigration policy.  Rohrabacher also goes after Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham for being “aggressively wrong” on immigration and says voters need to hold them to account.

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One year ago, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was considered a lock to win a U.S. Senate seat in 2010.  Now it’s pretty clear he has no chance to win the Republican nomination.  How did this happen and will Crist run as an Independent instead?  What lesson does this race and several others around the country teach us about the mood of the voters?  And what should the national Republican party learn after establishment favorites like Crist get rejected by their own party?  We discuss it all with political expert Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia.

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Senators clash again on financial reform as floor debate gets pushed back to next week, Arizona gets tougher against illegal immigrants, Israelis celebrate independence amidst worsening U.S. relations and threat of nuclear Iran, Supreme Court overturns laws against making and possessing videos showing animal cruelty.

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As Israel marks 62 years of independence, how much is the relationship between our nations deteriorating?  Why?  What is Obama overlooking on the part of the Palestinians while he scolds Israel for new construction?  How much leverage does the U.S. have against Israel?  And how does Israel plan against a nuclear Iran when no one seems to know how soon Iran will have nuclear weapons?  We ask Clifford May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

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A federal judge in Wisconsin declared the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional.  Liberty Counsel Chairman Mathew Staver says that flies in the face of 200 years of precedent and the clear intent of the founders expressed in the first amendment.  So where should the line be drawn on government involvement in religion?  Does encouraging prayer diminish those who don’t pray?  Why did the judge really make this decision?  And what advice does Staver have for those who are offended by the National Day of Prayer?

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Iraqi forces lead the way in killing top two Al Qaeda leaders in Iraq, U.S. admits having no plan to deal with nuclear Iran, public distrusts government by wide margin, Iceland volcano still grounds most air traffic, Oklahoma City marks 15 years since 1995 bombing.

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Retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash says things are looking good in Iraq – not only because the top two Al Qaeda leaders were killed in the same mission but because Iraqis led and succeeded in carrying out a very tough operation.  So how far have the Iraqis come and how degraded is Al Qaeda in Iraq?  But Nash says the admission that the U.S. does not have a real plan for a nuclear Iran shows just how much we’ve dropped the ball on that issue.  How have we done so little to prepare for a nuclear Iran?  What will deter them?  Listen here…

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Airline industry expert and veteran airline reporter David Field explains how much money the airlines are losing as the Icelandic volcano continues to ground tens of thousands of flights.  Why is this ground halt so expensive?  How long will it take to get the flight schedule back to normal once the skies are clear?  We’ll also get David’s thoughts on the debate over charging fees for carry-on bags.

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