September 23 - 27, 2002

Monday, Sept. 23

US Policy Toward Iraq: Background (Listen)
Did we create Saddam Hussein? Larry Mantle explores this question with both a journalist and an Iraq expert, tracing US policy toward Iraq over the years. America supported Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, preferring to boost the latter over the hostage-taking Iran. What exactly did the US do to help Saddam Hussein in the 1980s? Was he considered a threat then? What were our relations with Iraq up until the Gulf War? And what kind of diplomacy has the US engaged in with Iraq in recent years? Joining Larry Mantle are Evan Thomas, co-author, with Christopher Dickey, of the current Newsweek article “How We Helped Create Saddam: and can we fix Iraq after he’s gone?” and Lou Cantori, Professor of Political Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Tourette Syndrome (Listen)
Larry Mantle takes a look at the world of Tourette Syndrome. Joining him are Christopher Renzullo, who has Tourette Syndrome, Dr. Howard Kushner, author of A Cursing Brain? The Histories of Tourette’s Syndrome (Harvard University Press), and Dr. Neal Swerdlow, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. He is the chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Tourette Syndrome Association. They will discuss the Syndrome, how it has been viewed in the past, how it is viewed today, new treatments, and what it is like to live with Tourette’s Syndrome. For the Southern California area, contact Tourette Syndrome Association, Southern California Chapter, or call (818)344-0948.

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Election Preview (Listen)
It’s hard to believe, but the November 5th election day is less than six weeks away. Larry Mantle talks with CalTech Political Science Professor Michael Alvarez about the latest developments in the contentious race for governor, the secession initiatives and other ballot measures. Michael Alvarez will also discuss his new book, Hard Choices, Easy Answers: Values, Information and American Public Opinion (Princeton University Press), which takes a hard look at the problems inherent in polling the public about political issues.

History and Analysis of “Little Red Riding Hood” (Listen)
The fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” began in the court of Louis XIV as a morality tale to warn virgins against lascivious wolf-like men lurking in the palace halls. Since then, the story has undergone many transmutations and permeated popular culture. Catherine Orenstein, author of Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale [Basic Books], examines Little Red Riding Hood in all her glory. She delves into the tale’s many versions, which she says gives us a window into the sexual and cultural mores of a time and place.

Wednesday, Sept. 25

Report on Latino Housing (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with Joel Kotkin about a new study that focuses on the shortfall in affordable housing for Latinos in Los Angeles. Kotkin is a Senior Fellow with both Pepperdine University's Davenport Institute for Public Policy and the Milken Institute, as well as a Research Fellow in urban policy at the Reason Public Policy Institute. He serves as director of content for Prime Ventures LLP, a venture capital partnership specializing in new media ventures.

Stem Cell Research (Listen)
Larry Mantle discusses the legislation that Governor Gray Davis recently signed, aimed at positioning California at the forefront of the controversial biomedical field of stem cell research. The bill, Senate Bill 253, will pave the way for millions of state biomedical research dollars to flow into stem cell research. Larry speaks with Dr. Stephen Forman, director of the bone marrow transplant program at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles and co-author of the definitive textbook on stem cell transplantation.

Jack Miles Becomes a MacArthur Fellow (Listen)
Larry Mantle speaks Jack Miles, author and essayist who “moves effortlessly between the intellectual world of literary scholarship and contemporary social issues.” He just became a MacArthur Fellow.

Spirituality and Patriotism (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with the senior Minister of All Souls Church in New York, Forrest Church about his new book The American Creed: A Spiritual and Patriotic Primer (St. Martin’s Press). It examines the intersection between our faith and our freedom as Americans.

Thursday, Sept. 26

CityBeat With Jill Stewart (Listen)
Larry Mantle speaks with New Times LA columnist Jill Stewart about the three finalists--Timony, Lopez and Bratton--for Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.

MacArthur Grant Recipient Chuck Steidel (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with Caltech cosmologist Chuck Steidel about his work in astronomy and about winning the prestigious award. Steidel's expertise is cosmology, a field to which he has made numerous contributions in the ongoing attempt to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies and the development of large-scale structure in the universe. In particular, Steidel is known for the development of a technique that effectively locates early galaxies at prescribed cosmic epochs, allowing for the study of large samples of galaxies in the early universe.

The Controversy Over "Barbershop" (Listen)
Larry Mantle speaks with author, radio host, commentator and president of the National Alliance for Positive Action, Earl Ofari Hutchinson, and takes listener calls about a controversial scene in the new film “Barbershop” that is getting criticism from some black leaders such as Jesse Jackson and the Reverend Al Sharpton. The film contains controversial remarks about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and Jesse Jackson, as well as O.J. Simpson and Rodney King.

"Blue" at the Pasadena Playhouse (Listen)
Directed by Sheldon Epps, “Blue” is Charles Randolph-Wright's coming-of-age comedy set in rural South Carolina, about a black family and its successful funeral parlor business as seen through the eyes of the eldest son. This is the West Coast premiere. “Blue” will go on a six-city tour after it closes at the Pasadena Playhouse. Larry Mantle speaks with Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse, and actress Leslie Uggams, who plays Peggy, the matriarch of the well-to-do African American family in “Blue.” Blue runs through October 13th.

Friday, Sept. 27

Hollywood and Israel (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with Los Angeles Times staff writer and author Rachel Abramowitz about her article that discusses why more Jews in the Hollywood community are not speaking out in support of Israel.

Diamond Men (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with Writer/Director Daniel Cohen and Actor Robert Forster about their new film “Diamond Men” about an aging salesman and the training of his young replacement .

FilmWeek (Listen)

Larry Mantle with critics Andy Klein of New Times L.A. and Henry Sheehan of HenrySheehan.com discuss this week's new film releases, including Sweet Home Alabama, The Tuxedo, Wasabi, Lonely Affair of the Heart, Herapurple, Siddhartha, as well as last week's Four Feathers.

Lawrence of Arabia at the Cinerama Dome and the new video releases, including The Wrong Guy were also discussed.


Be sure to visit Henry Sheehan's new website, HenrySheehan.com, for a selection of his past reviews and commentaries.