Larry Mantle

Every day, Larry Mantle posts his thoughts on day's broadcast of AirTalk. You can post questions or comments about any of the day's topics. We may quote selected comments on the air.

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Latest Entries
The Rise and Fall of Starbucks

Nov. 4, 2009|Larry Mantle|1 comment

I'm fascinated by what Starbucks says about us as Americans -- at least those of us who can afford to go there and choose to do so. How did the company take hold so quickly, and what does it offer above and beyond its beverages? That's one of our topics tomorrow, as we talk with the author of, "Everything but the Coffee: Learning About America from Starbucks." The book's written by Temple University professor Bryant Simon.

This morning we had excellent listener questions for GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Campbell. We're looking forward to having Jerry Brown with us, once he formally declares.

Sharing the Road Brings Out the Passion

Nov. 3, 2009|Larry Mantle|10 comments

Our segment this morning on how to help cars and bikes share the road was one of our more passionate in weeks. Monday's conviction of a motorist who intentionally caused serious injuries to two cyclists was seen by many of our riding listeners as an important step in supporting their rights. There are several other pending court cases involving allegations of road rage carried out against bike riders. Postings continue on the "AirTalk" page, as listeners debate the best ways to work out road conflicts. Fortunately, most of the conflicts don't end in rider injury, but the number of such incidents is growing as more people ride.

Most callers provided a pretty balanced perspective, looking at the sometimes competing interests of cyclists and drivers. Others verbally went after either bike riders or drivers for rude behavior and violating the law. I suspect just about all of us have seen examples with both groups. The ongoing problem will be how to respectfully share streets that aren't designed for the coexistence of both types of vehicles.

Unfortunately, it will be tough to keep some impatient drivers from blowing past cyclists without regard for the rider's vulnerability or legal right to share the road. Maybe as more people ride, or have family members who do, it will sensitize drivers to cyclists.

It will also be difficult to avoid some riders who claim the full lane, regardless of whether there are parked cars, a narrow lane, or a road hazard that makes lane ownership adviseable. It might be legal, but it's sometimes unnecessary and, in my opinion, rude to needlessly hold up car traffic.

Regardless of who's being rude to whom, let's hope these incidents of violent road rage stop. The jury in the Mandelville Canyon case sent a clear message.

Hopefully, we can begin a dialogue that takes us well beyond what's technically legal, to what's a considerate and safe way to share the road.

Gavin Newsom Drops Out

Nov. 1, 2009|Larry Mantle|2 comments

It was about a month ago that "AirTalk" callers and I talked with the San Francisco mayor. He was high energy in pitching the changes he said he'd bring to California, including an emphasis on building a green economy.

However, with AG Jerry Brown taking most of of the campaign contributions available to Democrats, Newsom could never get ahead of the financial curve. Donors must see Brown as the safer choice, given Newsom's personal behavior and what we hear is his lack of statewide name recognition. It's hard for me to believe that Newsom is so unknown outside of the Bay Area, but that's what pollsters claim. I would've thought his efforts on behalf of same-sex marriage and his alcohol and marital problems would've put him on even casual voters' radar screens. He certainly lives, and governs, large.

Monday on "AirTalk," we'll talk with state campaign analysts and open the phone lines for you to comment on what this does to the governor's race. Given Newsom's polling, maybe the effect is minimal. However, barring Diane Feinstein running, it would seem Jerry Brown can just save his money to fight it out with a wealthy, self-financed, Republican nominee.

Do Survey Respondents Lie About Lying?

Oct. 29, 2009|Larry Mantle|1 comment

The Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles released a survey this morning claiming to show that those who lie as teenagers are far more likely to lie as adults, and that many more teens today think that dishonesty is a requirement for success. The conclusion from the Josephson Institute is that we're headed for a world that's much more dishonest than today. If true, the consequences could be tragic.

However, several of our listeners were skeptical about the survey's results -- including whether older respondents were being honest about their behavior earlier in life. One caller brought up the socio-economic status of those polled, wondering if younger people with fewer opportunities might see deception as necessary to help level the playing field.

Do you think younger Americans are less honest than past generations? Do you think it's difficult to succede without lying, cheating, or stealing?

Tomorrow, our "Film Week" critics review the new Michael Jackson concert rehearsal movie, "This is It." I'll also talk with the author of a new biography of director Robert Altman. If you're a fan of his, what's your favorite Altman film?

What Works in Law Enforcement

Oct. 28, 2009|Larry Mantle|2 comments

This morning we aired our conversation with exiting LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, followed by an interview with UCLA Public Policy Professor Mark Kleiman. In both, we talked about what the best methods are for detering criminals and assuring a higher level of public safety.

For Chief Bratton, it's assigning officers based on statistical analysis of crime "hotspots," while paying attention to less serious quality of life crimes that might set the stage for more serious violations. Professor Kleiman didn't take issues with the Chief's perspective, but argued that it will take more than that to keep crime down and deal with overflowing prisons. His book "When Brute Force Fails" details how the threat of swift arrest and incarceration is ultimately necessary to keep the group of criminals responsible for the majority of crime from repeating their behavior again and again. This would require a significant change in our sentencing, courts, and prison systems. However, it's a very interesting argument, that claims human nature as one of its primary proofs.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about the latest developments in technology and how they're helping older adults, and get an update on the solar industry -- which has been the "next big thing" for the past 40-years.