Radio America Online News Bureau

We have Monday’s top news…What is President Obama saying about the successful and dramatic rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates?  What is the Obama plan for dealing with the pirates on a long-term basis?  Why is Obama touting the stimulus bill as a model of fiscal discipline and efficiency?  What changes is Obama making to the U.S. policy towards Cuba?  What plans is General Motors making as the clock ticks down on its chance to secure more taxpayer dollars?  What happened on Wall Street today?  And what legendary broadcaster passed away on the job today?  We answer those questions as we bring you the biggest stories for Monday, April 13, 2009.

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On Sunday, Navy SEAL snipers killed three Somali pirates and rescued Captain Richard Phillips, who had been held hostage by the pirates.  So how did the Navy pull off something so precise?  What tactics were used in this operation?  Was this plan a result of those on the scene or people back here in Washington?  What is the best approach to the piracy problem off the coast of Somalia?  Can we attack their home bases or will that pull us into another chaotic military operation in a country that proved very complicated for us 15 years ago?  We ask retired Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney.

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On Monday, President Obama relaxed some of the U.S. restrictions aimed against Cuba.  Travel to and from Cuba will no longer be restricted and it will also be easier for people in the U.S. to send more money more frequently to their relatives living in Cuba.  So is this significant or relatively minor?  Is this rewarding a repressive regime?  What other issues and policies should Obama visit with respect to Cuba?  We ask Philip Peters, Vice President of the Lexington Institute.

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On April 15th, “Tea Parties” will be held across the country to protest what organizers see as excessive government spending and taxation.  But how much media coverage will these events get?  How much do they deserve?  Why aren’t the major networks devoting much attention to the parties?  We ask Dan Gainor, Vice President of the Media Research Center’s Business and Media Institute.

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The Employee Free Choice Act, otherwise known as Card Check, is being considered in both the House and Senate, and it’s passage is anything but guaranteed.  Would the plan really make life better for workers and give them higher pay and more benefits?  Or would it strip the right of workers to vote in secret on whether to unionize and allow the government to dictate contracts in the event of a contract dispute?  We ask Minnesota Rep. John Kline, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee.

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The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the cornerstones of the Christian faith.  But while millions celebrate Christ’s victory over the grave, many people also have questions.  Why did Jesus have to die?  Who killed Him?  What is the significance of His resurrection?  How do the events of 2000 years ago relate to each of us today?  What makes Christianity and the Easter story different from every other faith?  How clearly are churches teaching the gospel?  We ask Dr. Michael Easley, former President of the Moody Bible Institute.

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How much do you know about the history and symbolism of the Easter holiday?  Where do we even get the name ‘Easter’?  Does it have a religious or pagan origin?  How did it get connected to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection?  Why do we have colored Easter eggs?  What does one legend say about their spiritual significance?  How did this tradition lead to the very elaborate Faberge egg creations?  Listen here to learn how we got some of our most observed Easter traditions.

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How did a bunny become the symbol of the secular celebration of Easter?  What is the legend of the dogwood tree and how does it relate to Easter?  Why does the Orthodox Church celebrate Easter on a different calendar than other Christian denominations?  What is Passover and how does it relate to the timing and observance of Easter?  Answers to these and other questions can be learned here.

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We continue our examination of the history and traditions of Easter.  What is the significance of the cross?  Why is a lamb also a symbol for the death of Christ?  Why do we often have sunrise services on Easter Sunday?  What role does music play in our Easter celebrations?  And how did the tradition of the White House Easter Egg Roll get started?  Click here and learn the answers to those and other questions.

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In our final look at the traditions, history and celebrations of Easter, we learn how the White House Easter Egg Roll became the huge event it is today. We also learn how the most prominent church in Washington celebrates the Lord’s resurrection.

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