May 7, 2010

The Bridge

We bring you stories of bridges from three different countries, including one in China that's famous for its massive size and its high suicide rate. One takes it upon himself to patrol the bridge, looking for jumpers. You can read entries from the watchman's blog here. This and other stories where we stop before getting to the other side.

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Transcript

Prologue

Ira speaks with Richard Dorsay, who became famous in 2004 when police learned that for years Richard and a friend had been living inside of a Chicago bridge. And this was no ordinary bridge. (4 minutes)

By

Ira Glass

Act One

Troubled Bridge Over Water

There is a four mile long bridge in Naan-jing China, famous for how many people jump off to commit suicide. In 2003, a man named Chen Sah began spending all of his weekends on the bridge, trying to single handedly stop the jumpers. Reporter Mike Paterniti tells his story of meeting Mr. Chen. (15 minutes) A story Paterniti wrote about Mr. Chen appears in GQ Magazine.

By

Mike Paterniti

Song:

“The Bridge” by Dolly Parton

Act Two

Bridge and Tunnel

In the Middle East, hundreds and hundreds of tunnels connect the Gaza strip and Egypt, allowing supplies to bypass the Israeli blockade against Hamas-controlled Gaza. Producer Nancy Updike speaks with Ira about the tunnels, and plays tape from an interview she conducted with a tunnel owner. (15 minutes)

By

Nancy Updike

Song:

“Colonel Bogey (from Bridge Over the River Kwai)” by L'Orchestra Cinematic

Act Three

Throw the Book at Them

Isaiah Thompson tells the story of the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami, a bridge that became home to a population of sex offenders, after a powerful lobbyist named Ron Book helped make it illegal for them live almost anywhere else in the city. Isaiah Thompson is a reporter and columnist for the Philadelphia City Paper. (20 minutes)

By

Isaiah Thompson

Song:

“There's No Home for You Here” by The White Stripes

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