Satire

It's Thursday, February thirteenth... and facing the heightened threat of a terror attack ... the United States government has a solution. And that solution... is duct tape. According to the department of homeland security, that hardware store favorite is a must have in the event of a biological, chemical or radiological attack. Currently, there's a run on duct tape as Americans are making sure their false sense of security doesn't leak a drop. This is The Current.

Faith Documentary

In a time of impending war, where are people putting their faith? In St Charles Missouri, people put their faith in government, in technology, in God and in people. Frank Faulk takes us to the mid west community on a search for faith.

Listen to The Current: Part 1

The Current: Part 2

Randy Voles

It's almost Valentine's Day, a good time to point out that humans aren't the only monogamous animals in the Wild Kingdom. Consider the prairie vole. They may be a bit weak on the greeting card front, but when these romantic little mammals bed down they often do it for life. And what researchers are discovering about the romantic life of voles may shed new light on the chemistry of our own romantic lives.

Music

Artist: The Sadies
Cut: CD 4 "A#1"
CD: "Stories Often Told"
Label: Outside Music
Spine 23339-9000-2

Bower Bird

Peacocks might have plumage and robins might sing a sweet song. But, when it comes to mating, the male bower bird knows how to impress the ladies. Gerald Borgia has been studying the prowess of the male bower birds for more than two decades.

Animal Birth Control Factboard

The animal world has had its own sexual revolution ... sort of. For over forty years, scientists have been perfecting their animal contraception skills to control animal populations. Estrogen therapy is used in elephants. Yes, estrogen, the same idea behind The Pill. The procedure in pachyderms is a little different though. It's a "slow release" implant that operates over a period of six to twelve months. In Hong Kong, authorities had to figure out how to deal with the macaque monkey. Gangs of them were attacking hikers, stealing food, and becoming a hazard on the highway. The solution was a contraceptive injection. The monkeys that got the shot are being tracked with microchips placed in their ears. And don't worry ... scientists say the contraceptive won't affect the macaques' sex lives. But ... as in humans ... birth control isn't foolproof. Researchers at Britain's Sheffield University had a plan to control squirrel populations. It was a vaccine that would trigger the females' immune system to reject the male sperm. It didn't work. Sometimes love really does conquer all.

Animal Porn

But as for love being blind ... well, the female Japanese quail would have to disagree with that. When it comes to mating there's only one thing that really turns her on ... She likes to watch. Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton have observed that female Japanese quails migrate towards males they've seen mating ... with other chicks. Apparently they figure if he's got what SHE needs, he must be worth getting to know a little better.

Whale Love

Well, sometimes our interaction with animals can go a little too far. Consider this case from Vancouver Island, B.C. An orca has become friendly with the locals in Nootka Sound...too friendly for local law enforcement types. They've decided to recommend charges against a woman...one of several people who have been touching and interacting with Luna, a killer whale. Biologists are worried the whale could become too aggressive with humans...and that it might never want to go back to its pod.

Music

Artist: Kid Loco
Cut: CD1 "A Grand Love Theme"
CD: "A Grand Love Story"
Label: Yellow Productions
Spine 3894 22785 2

Tomorrow is the day of LOVE letters...and what could be simpler than a gift from the heart? But for the conscientious consumer, buying a token of affection for your sweetheart isn't so simple anymore.

Listen to The Current: Part 2

The Current: Part 2

Jamaica Policing

The Current's Cathy Perry joins Anna Maria to talk about a new anti-crime campaign in Jamaica.

Letters with Evan Solomon

Well it's Thursday ... time for The Current to open up its mail for your thoughts on the stories this week. Handling those duties is our Friday host Evan Solomon, and he joins me now. Good morning! I guess there are a lot of e-mails we WON'T have time to read after yesterday's interview with Stephen Lewis on the AIDS crisis in Africa. Our inbox was overflowing, and our producers say it's by far the biggest response we've had to any story. Here's just a sample of the response ...

Listen to The Current: Part 3