October 1 - 5, 2007
Monday, Oct. 1
San Onofre Toll Road
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According to new findings by the California Coastal Commission, the proposed six-lane Foothill South toll road through San Onofre State Beach would violate state laws designed to regulate development and protect the environment. That report differs from the analysis by the Transportation Corridor Agencies which says the tollway would be the least environmentally harmful of the nine proposed routes. The toll road has been the subject of ongoing debate. Environmentalist and surfers oppose it, fearing it will destroy Trestles beach. The TCA and others praise it as a solution to some of Orange County's traffic problems. Larry and his guests discuss the future of the toll road.
JPL Employees vs. Homeland Security
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The Homeland Security Presidential Directive #12 is one of a series of Executive Orders signed by President Bush in 2004. It calls for background checks and fingerprinting of all federal employees and contractors. In August, 28 JPL employees asked a federal court for an injunction to release them from the requirement to comply with the implementation of HSPD#12. According to the plaintiffs, NASA is insisting that all employees sign a voluntary waiver consenting to these background investigations or risk losing their jobs. The arguments for preliminary injunctive relief will be heard in Federal Court in Los Angeles today. Robert Nelson, a JPL employee and lead plaintiff in the case joins Larry Mantle to discuss HSPD#12 and his refusal to comply.
New Citizenship Test
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How much do you remember from your elementary school civics class? Do you think you could pass the country's citizenship test? The USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has made changes to the test that will go into affect next year. The re-vamped exam is meant to increase would-be citizens' grasp of what it means to be an American rather than to encourage memorizing a list of historical facts. Of the 100 possible civics and history questions, 10 will be asked of those seeking citizenship. As is now the case, applicants must answer six of the ten oral questions correctly as well as pass an English proficiency exam. Larry talks with a representative of USCIS about why the changes were made and asks listeners to weigh in on why they have, or have not, chosen to become United States citizens.
Joel Grey
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Larry Mantle talks with Academy and Tony award-winning actor Joel Grey about his photography exhibit now running at the Frank Pictures Gallery in Santa Monica, "Looking Hard, An Exhibition of Large Format Abstract Photographs." Aside from his esteemed career as an actor of stage and screen, Grey is also an accomplished photographer.
Tuesday, Oct. 2
Court Interpreters Strike
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Larry talks about the affect of the Court Interpreters strike on the Los Angeles County Courts with Alex Abella of the California Federation of Interpreters, Alan Parachini of the LA County Superior Courts, and Ramon Quintana from the Public Defender's office.
Truck Clean-Up Plan Hits Roadblock
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Opposition is building to a plan by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to clean up dirty trucks. Environmentalists were thrilled by the plan, which would have cut significant amounts of diesel pollution from Southland air. But truckers, shippers and retailers balked at it, complaining that it would slow down commerce and put small companies out of business. Now the ports' own economic feasibility study appears to bolster their fears. Larry talks about the problem with Los Angeles Harbor Commission President S. David Freeman, economist John Husing, Peter J. Gatti of the National Industrial Transportation League, and Colleen Callahan of the American Lung Association of California.
Uneasy Neighbo(u)rs
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It's been said that the Canadian identity is defined by the degree of separation from the influence of the United States. Our citizens, separated by a 5,000 mile undefended border, are linked by blood, culture, and business. The new book, Uneasy Neighbo(u)rs (Wiley), examines how the two countries share a deep-rooted respect for democracy, human rights, and rule of law yet have contrary views on foreign policy, social welfare, and the military. Larry talks with David Jones, the book's co-author, about the ideologies and institutions that define our two countries.
Wes Anderson Retrospective
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Director and writer Wes Anderson is the creative mind behind some of the most critically acclaimed films of the last decade. This week the American Cinematheque will present a retrospective of his work, including Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Larry talks with Anderson about his past work as well as his new film, The Darjeeling Limited.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Proposed War Tax And S-Chip Veto
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Larry Mantle talks with Jack Shaw, Capitol Hill reporter for Marketnews International about the proposed war surtax, and President Bush's veto of the state children's health insurance program.
Gay Rights Groups Angry Over Antidiscrimination Bill
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Close to 100 gay rights organizations sent a letter to Congress Monday announcing they would not support a bill that protects gays and lesbians from workplace discrimination but does not include transgender people. Representative Barney Frank argued last Thursday that the measure would not pass if transgender people were included in the bill. The House was scheduled to vote on the bill this week, but has decided to postpone due to the backlash. Is it better to provide protection from job discrimination to gays and lesbians and not transgender people, or to provide protection to no one at all? Larry and his guests discuss if, and when, it's appropriate to compromise some civil rights gains in exchange for others.
The Latest From Myanmar
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Larry talks with guests about the latest developments in Myanmar, where thousands have reportedly been detained for participating in protests against the Government. Others have been beaten and killed since the peaceful demonstrations began.
The Battle To Remake Democratic Politics
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In his new book, The Argument Matt Bai, The New York Times Magazine writer examines the Democratic Party's future prospects and current dilemmas. Bai contends that great political movements need more than just a bundle of shared principles; they need an argument. The New Dealers had one. So did the Goldwater conservatives. So what's the progressive argument? What new path are Democrats urging us to choose in the era of Wal-Mart, Al Qaeda, and YouTube? Matt Bai brings us deep inside the turbulent, confusing new world of Democratic politics, where billionaires and bloggers are battling politicians and consultants over the future of a once-great party.
Thursday, Oct. 4
Lynwood City Council Meeting
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Larry talks with LA Times staff writer Hector Becerra, Mayor of Lynwood Louis Byrd, California Democratic Assemblyman Hector de la Torre, and Lynwood City Attorney Anthony Willoughby about the Lynwood City Council Meeting on Tuesday night where recalled City Council members refused to relinquish their seats to the newly elected members.
Financial Woes for Socal Hospitals
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Close to two dozen Los Angeles hospitals are in bad financial shape and in danger of going bankrupt, according to a recent LA Times story. As hospitals close or cut services, we may see an increase in emergency room delays, and in the length of time it takes for ambulances to transport patients to hospitals. Some area hospitals are on the verge of closing their emergency rooms. The closure of King-Harbor in August has put increased pressure on surrounding hospitals to treat former patients of the controversial facility. What is causing this crisis in our local hospitals, and what is being done about it? Larry discusses the issue with Jim Lott of the Hospital Association of Southern California, Carol Meyer of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and Rob Fuller of the Downey Regional Medical Center.
The Mind/Body Connection
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Larry talks with Sandra and Mark Blakeslee, co-authors of the new book The Body Has a Mind of Its Own (Random House), which explores the latest science on the mind/body connection.
The New Season at Walt Disney Concert Hall
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Larry talks with President and CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Deborah Borda about the upcoming season at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Avenue Q
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The Tony Award winning musical starring puppets and humans, Avenue Q, is now playing at the Ahmanson Theatre. Larry talks with two of the show's actors, Christian Anderson and Robert McClure, about the job of bringing multiple puppets to life on stage. Avenue Q is playing at the Ahmanson Theatre through October 14th.
Friday, Oct. 5
Charter Schools: Panacea or Problem?
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Larry is joined by a panel of community leaders for a conversation on the role of charter schools in the future of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Will this method insure innovation, creativity, and student achievement or is it a road to chaos with isolated and inconsistent schools with varied records of achievement? Larry talks with Myrna Castrejon of the California Charter Schools Association, A.J. Duffy of United Teachers of Los Angeles, Eric Premack of Cal State University, Sacramento, and Dr. Brian Stecher of the Rand Corporation. This discussion is produced in conjunction with Community Advocates.
More audio is available by clicking here.
Lake of Fire
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Larry talks with director Tony Kaye about his new documentary film, Lake of Fire, that takes on the controversial topic of abortion. The film was 15 years in the making.
FilmWeek
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Larry and critics Henry Sheehan of henrysheehan.com, and Claudia Puig of USA Today discuss the week's new releases including the feature films Michael Clayton, The Heartbreak Kid, Lust/Caution, The Darjeeling Limited, The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising, In Between Days, Resilience, and the documentaries My Kid Could Paint That, and Kurt Cobain About a Son. Larry also talks with FilmWeek and Christian Science Monitor film critic Peter Rainer about the 45th New York Film Festival.
