Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dakota Midday: Journalist Reese Erlich Goes Inside Syria

Reese Erlich

President Obama is expected to ask Congress this week for authorization for the use of military force to fight the militant group ISIS. Veteran foreign correspondent Reese Erlich says the authorization is an example of mission creep and he hopes Congress votes it down.

Erlich has covered the Middle East for three decades and was in northern Iraq at the start of the U.S. bombing campaign against ISIS. He reports regularly for National Public Radio, CBC, Australian Broadcasting Corp. and Radio Deutsche Welle. His latest book is Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War and What the World Can Expect.

During a visit to the University of South Dakota, Reese Erlich joined Dakota Midday to discuss the latest news from Syria and the fight against ISIS.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
Related Content