318
October 6, 2006

With Great Power

A family wishes for years that they could do something to stop their neighbor's shocking behavior. Suddenly they get the power to decisively change things forever...and they have to decide whether they will. This, and other stories of everyday people who get saddled with great power—and the great sense of responsibility that goes with it.
Jason

Prologue

Ira tells the story of two friends of his who were like superheroes. They had this incredible power to save someone. And with that great power came great responsibility. His friends are with Mission USA, working with gang kids in Chicago's prisons. (4 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act Two

Unwelcome Wagon

Host Ira Glass interviews the mother and daughter in a family who wished for years they could do something to stop their neighbor from all kinds of shocking behavior. Suddenly they get the power to decisively change things forever...and they have to decide whether they will. (14 minutes)

By

Ira Glass

Song:

“I Got to Get Away” by Dave Barker
Act Three

Waiting For Joe

When you're powerless, you think a lot about the powerful figures above you. Especially when their actions just make no sense. Or when they don't seem to be living up to their responsibilites. Shalom Auslander tells the story of the one authority figure who's like this more than any other. This story is from his collection Beware of God. (11 minutes)

By

Shalom Auslander

Related

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170: Immigration
Oct. 13, 2000

Act One: Where Goes The Neighborhood

Producer Blue Chevigny tells more of the story from Bristol County, where the immigration law of 1996 has a community of non-political people reluctantly going to protests, attending meetings at night, talking to politicians, and doing all sorts of other things most of us would do anything to avoid.

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