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AirTalk

Join KPCC's AirTalk with host Larry Mantle weekdays for lively and in-depth discussions of city news, politics, science, the arts, entertainment, and more.

Hosted by Larry Mantle

Airs Weekdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
 

AirTalk for Jul 03, 2009

July 3, 2009|1 comments

Larry discusses the life and times of the controversial and often polarizing defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld with Bradley Graham, author of a penetrating new political biography on Rumsfeld entitled "By His Own Rules".

Next, Larry talks about the the legends, stories, and fun facts of the L.A. Dodgers with Jon Weisman, author of the book "100 Things Dodger Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die".

Then, it's FilmWeek on AirTalk. Larry Mantle and film critics Henry Sheehan, Wade Major, and Charles Solomon discuss the week’s new releases including Ice Age: Dawn of The Dinosaurs, Public Enemies, The Girl From Monaco, The Beaches of Agnes, Youssou N'dour: I Bring What I Love, I Hate Valentine’s Day, Betty Blue and Kambakkht Ishq. Larry will also talk about the death of Karl Malden.

For the first time ever, the complete series of lectures by legendary animator Walt Stanchfield have been compiled and published in a two-volume set. Don Hahn, who edited and compiled the series, and Charles Solomon, animation critic and historian, join Larry Mantle to talk the collected teachings of animator Walt Stanchfield.

AirTalk for Jul 02, 2009

July 2, 2009|52 comments

Faced with a $26 billion deficit, state officials are set to begin issuing IOUs later today to pay for part of California's bills. Those on government assistance, including the elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals, will still receive their regular checks, while businesses with state contracts and taxpayers awaiting refunds are most likely to receive IOUs. Larry Mantle gets the latest on the ongoing budget battle.

How will America get from point A to B in the future? The Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood is in the western United States to promote several federal initiatives related to transportation. Today, Secretary LaHood will join Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to make a major announcement about high-speed rail between California and Nevada. Larry and Ray LaHood discuss transportation in America.

Then, a federal government transportation commission has endorsed a plan to switch from a traditional fuel tax to a pay-per-mile road tax using GPS systems. Rather than an 18-cent per gallon surcharge on gasoline, drivers would be taxed per-mile, with the option of charging more during rush hour. Would a per-mile driving tax discourage drivers from getting behind the wheel of fuel-efficient vehicles? Is this plan a better way to distribute the cost of highway maintenance? Call in or share your thoughts here.

Finally, Karl Taro Greenfeld had far from an idyllic, suburban childhood. He grew up in the 1960’s coping with the all-consuming demands of his brother Noah's autism, which his Father wrote about in a bestselling book called "A Child Called Noah." In "Boy Alone: A Brother's Memoir" Greenfield expresses all the frustration and fury of living intimately with his brother’s severe disability.

AirTalk for Jul 01, 2009

July 1, 2009|19 comments

California's new fiscal year begins today, and the state is without a revised budget to address its $24 billion deficit. Unless an agreement is reached before tomorrow, State Controller John Chiang will begin issuing IOUs to pay for California's bills. Larry Mantle gets an update on the latest developments.

Then, an FDA advisory panel has recommended restricting drugs containing acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage. The panel called for banning Vicodin and Percocet, which combine acetaminophen with an opiate narcotic, as well as lowering the maximum dosage for over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol and Excedrin. Do you agree with the panel's suggestions? Share your thoughts here.

Next, Larry talks with with the directors of Southern California art museums to find out how they're faring in a tough economic climate.

The website TMZ was the first source to report Michael Jackson's death. What is TMZ, and how does it operate? Is TMZ a credible source of journalism? As Larry finds out more, give us your opinions about the website.

Finally, could weather events explain the extinction of the dinosaurs, the disappearance of the Mayans, and the fabled crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites? Professor Randy Cerveny is a climatologist who studies such questions. Larry Mantle talks with Cerveny about his book "Weather's Greatest Mysteries Solved!".

AirTalk for Jun 30, 2009

June 30, 2009|16 comments

The California legislature may be handing out IOUs on Thursday if they cannot reach a balanced budget. After backing away from cutting funding from work-to-welfare programs and other statewide social welfare programs, the legislature is still faced with the challenge of reducing the state's deficit. So, which programs will be getting an IOU? Let us know your thoughts.

Then, apparently looks matter… even in tennis. This year it seems that good looks are showing up good shots at Wimbledon. Visitors to the All England Tennis Club are wondering what was going through the minds of schedulers when unknown players got Centre Court privileges while many other top seeded players like Serena Williams played their matches on outer courts. Larry asks experts to weigh in. What do you think?

And, American soldiers are scheduled to withdraw from Iraqi cities and towns today, turning over enforcement to local security forces. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has declared June 30, "National Sovereignty Day" as Iraqis celebrate in the streets of Baghdad. Yet American and Iraqi officials worry that in the absence of U.S. troops, Iraq's cities will face a challenge from insurgents and al-Qaeda. What lies ahead for the Iraqi people? Comment here.

Finally, many people are speculating that Michael Jackson may have died from an overdose of prescription pain killers like Demerol and Oxycontin. But regardless of the outcome of his autopsy, Michael Jackson's untimely death is shining a bright light on the problem of prescription drug abuse. Why do people get so easily hooked on prescription pain medication, and to what degree are physicians enabling their addictions? What do you think?

AirTalk for Jun 29, 2009

June 29, 2009|36 comments

Governor Schwarzenegger has pledged to veto the latest proposal by Democrats in the California Assembly to balance the state budget. Using legal technicalities, the plan would balance the budget with a series of tax increases, and would require a simple majority instead of the usual two-thirds vote needed to pass budget legislation. Will an agreement be reached before the state runs of money July 1? Post your thoughts here.

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, CT were victims of illegal discrimination. This overturns a decision by a U.S. Court of Appeals in New York that included Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. What do you think of the decision and its implications?

The Honduran military ousted the President in a coup. What does this mean for the region? Will dictatorship return to Central America? Comment here.

GOP consultant Frank Luntz has released a 28-page memo outlining what language Republican lawmakers should use when talking about health care reform. He joins Larry Mantle to discuss the jargon of the health care debate.

Then, Larry talks with Richard Rayner, author of "A Bright and Guilty Place: Murder, Corruption, and L.A.'s Scandalous Coming of Age".