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21
April 26, 1996

Factions

A show about something most people have gone through. Friends get together to start a business, start a church, do political action together. And after a while, they start fighting and split up. We hear three true stories.
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Philip Howard
Act One

Religious Faction

Scott Carrier documents a group in Manti, Utah, that left the Mormon church and formed its own polygamous church. The members started fighting, broke up, and no longer speak. Scott is the author of Running After Antelope. (20 minutes)

By

Scott Carrier

Song:

“Cain and Abel” by Louis Armstrong
Act Two

Political Faction

Chicago writer Beau O'Reilly writes about a group of close friends who formed an activist group in the seventies. They split apart because of one woman. (22 minutes)

By

Beau O'Reilly

Song:

“We Shall Not be Moved” by Pete Seeger
Act Three

Racial Factions

Ira speaks with Professor Glenn Loury. Loury failed to stand up for a light-skinned friend at a black unity rally in the sixties. He believes that at that moment, their friendship changed. But when Ira tracked the friend down, he remembered it differently. (10 minutes)

By

Ira Glass

Song:

“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Stills and Nash

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Sept. 5, 2003

Act Three: And What's Going On With You?

A case study in every word from a friend meaning its opposite.

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