December 9 - 13, 2002

Monday, Dec. 9

The Economy (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle discusses the resignations of Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill and White House economic adviser Larry Lindsey, the economic troubles of United Airlines, and how these events affect the national economy. Larry is joined by Gregory D. Hess, Russell S. Bock Professor of Public Economics at Claremont McKenna College

Indian Gaming: An Investigation (Listen)
In today’s TIME magazine, a report about Indian gaming reveals some startling statistics. In five states with almost half the Native American population, casino revenue is shared by less than 3 percent of the people. Meanwhile, in California, Connecticut and Florida, states that have only 3 percent of the Indian population, casinos haul in 44 percent of all revenue, averaging $100,000 per person. Host Larry Mantle talks with TIME’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative team of Don Barlett and Jim Steele about the findings of their in-depth report on the distribution of gaming profits among various Indian tribes.

Travel Segment (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks with KPCC travel experts Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman about a variety of travel issues including United’s economic troubles, airport security, Christmas gifts for travelers, and tips for making holiday travel easier.

Tuesday, Dec. 10

The “No Child Left Behind Act” (Listen)
New federal regulations require Los Angeles schools to assign only credentialed teachers to underachieving schools and to offer transfer to students in low performing schools, even if there are no places for them in other schools. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Roy Romer joins host Larry Mantle to discuss how the LAUSD will work to meet these goals, and if the district can meet them.

Time Magazine’s Michael Ware: An Insider’s Experience Of Afghanistan (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle is joined by TIME magazine reporter Michael Ware who has just returned home to Australia after one year in Afghanistan. He shares his experience of reporting “undercover” on the front lines with Afghan troops wearing local garb, speaking Pashtu or watching Indian movies with local mujahedin, eating, sleeping and dressing as they do. Before leaving for Australia he had been at the Shah-i-Kot front for two weeks.

The Right To Bear Arms (Listen)
Last week the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld California’s assault weapons ban. The ruling was not surprising, but the court’s interpretation of the 2nd Amendment was. Contrary to the opinion of the Bush Administration and of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, the court ruled that the constitution does not give individuals the right to bear arms. Host Larry Mantle talks with Eugene Volokh from UCLA’s School of Law and Dennis Henigan from the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Wednesday, Dec. 11

Saturday Night Live (Listen)
“Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night,” has been one of the most recognized sentences in pop culture since 1975. Larry Mantle talks with Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller, co-authors of the new book Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live As Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests (Little Brown). Shales and Miller bring together all the elements of the show including the backbreaking schedule, the manic energy, and the personalities of the cast, hosts, and musical guests. Tom Shales is a Pulitzer Prize-winning television critic for the Washington Post, and a movie reviewer for NPR’s Morning Edition. James Andrew Miller has written for the New York Times, Life, Newsweek, and was the executive producer of two prime-time television series.

The Old Mount Wilson Trail (Listen)
Local historian and hiking expert John Robinson joins Larry Mantle to talk about his books, Sierra Madre’s Old Mount Wilson Trail (Big Santa Anita Historical Society), and Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels, (Wilderness Press). Robinson is the leading author and historian of the Angeles National Forest, as well as the San Bernardino and San Jacinto ranges.

Thursday, Dec. 12

Flags (Listen)
Flags evoke patriotism, protest and deep sentiment. At the outbreak of war or in the aftermath of tragedy, Americans display the Stars & Stripes from their homes, boats, places of work, cars, bridges . . . the flag becomes a common language of unity. In his new book Home Front: American Flags From Across the United States, photographer Peter Elliot set about capturing how we display Old Glory, from Mississippi to New York, Los Angeles to Iowa. Elliot joins host Larry Mantle to discuss his work. Also joining Larry is David Martucci, President of the North American Vexillological Association. Mr. Martucci shares his vast knowledge of the history of the American flag, its symbolism, how it is used in popular culture, and much more.

Eccentric America (Listen)
Let’s face it: Americans are individualistic, and many have a bent for the eccentric. Have you visited Salvation Mountain near the Salton Sea? Do you own an art car? Maybe you’ve been on the Hoegh Pet Casket Factory tour or gone to the corn-dog carving contest? There’s something for everyone in Eccentric America: The Bradt Guide to All That’s Weird and Wacky in the USA(Globe Pequot Press Inc), travel writer Jan Friedman’s chronicle of the unusual tourist sites across the nation. Sorry California--she concludes that Wisconsinites are the most eccentric. All will be revealed when Friedman joins host Larry Mantle to talk about American eccentricity.

Friday, Dec. 13

Michael Crichton (Listen)
The New York Times calls Michael Crichton’s latest novel, Prey: A Novel (Harper Collins) , “irresistibly suspenseful” and his “most ambitious techno-thriller yet.” Michael Crichton joins Larry Mantle to talk about Prey, his past novels (including Jurassic Park), his directing career, and his latest role as a computer game creator.

Television’s Unforgettable Moments (Listen)
New York Times bestselling author Joe Garner talks with Larry Mantle about television’s most unforgettable moments. His new, multimedia anthology called Stay Tuned: Television’s Most Unforgettable Moments (Andrews McMeel Publishing) documents the news, sports and entertainment moments on television that have captured our imaginations and left an indelible mark on the American cultural, political and social landscape.