'An Ellsworth American: Tape of Angus King interviewing James Russell Wiggins. Aired on Maine Public Broadcasting Network July 28, 1992'; NHF Tape 004

Date1992

AbstractVideotape copy of program directly related to James Russell Wiggins, his publishing career, and/or his family. NHF Tape 4.

Viewing NotesAngus King interviewed James Russell Wiggins at Wiggins' Brooklin home and office in 1991 for Maine Public Television. The interview is divided into four parts with brief introductions by King. :30 King provides background on Wiggins 1:15 Wiggins describes migration of power from local to national base and disadvantages for local interest in politics, and the resulting apathy in democracy; 3:30 Low interest in government results in interest in entertainment; 4:40 Media reflect social identity 5:50 Downward spiral of elected officials without real power, delegating responsibility to bureaucrats; 9:00 Congressional oversight rather than actually management of programs. 10:00 Health care case in point. Could be better if Congress not in charge? Might result in the efficiency of the Post Office, the compassion of the I.R.S., and the economies of the Defense Department (laughter) 11:00 Hard knocks of reality versus the apparent perfections of the ideal. Segment 2 12:30 Excesses of individual ownership versus the state ownership of all land. Wiggins recalls details of John Locke and asks the state to restore trust over distress. 17:00 at 88 years old he is concerned about NIMB (not in my back yard) legislation and obstruction legislation. Segment 3 20:00 Congressional promises have made it problematic for members to meet expectations of the constituents served, Wiggins said. 25:00 The role of the media is to allow the heads of state to be heard, rather than give everyone, who may know very little about the issues, as much airtime, or page space, as the heads of state who are responsible for leading. Newspapers don't print text any more, but rather one remark. Wiggins said he thinks newspapers need to find room for the full text to be printed of what heads of state said -- 27:00 "one clean crack" 29:00 In a long feud with the post office Wiggins put a letter in the mail and sent a letter by oxcart to the same destination. The oxcart delivered first and it made front page news. Segment 4 Wiggins said he did not believe the U.S. could be the police of the world, or that the private lives of the public figures what fundamentally important. Grover Cleveland was a case in point, he said. 36:00 The U.N. is still important as a peace keeping force, he said, though the Gulf War provided that the U.S. could form a strength of allies around an independent mission. 42:00 Risk taking is essential to democracy, and yet is being taking away through many of the laws imposed by safeguarding laws that are reasonable to protect society from behaviors that we increasingly find ourselves shouldering for one another. It is a conundrum we must constantly consider and reconsider, he said. 48:00 political correctness should be checked. He provides examples 52:00 This country is the best hope for mankind, he said he was convinced, warts and all. 53:00 closing by King.