Charles, an articulate ex-Soviet economist I know was called years ago by the show to see if he would come on to discuss the proposed foreign aid to the Yeltsin regime. Sure, he said, and proceeded to explain why it was a terrible idea, damaging to the American and Russian peoples, and helpful only to the corrupt state-connected elites on both sides.
Oh no, the producer explained. One side wanted to send $100 billion and the other $60 billion. He had to take one of those positions. My friend said no thanks, and that was the end of his McNeil-Lehrer career.
2:20 pm on June 30, 2005
