March 3 - 7, 2008
Monday, March 3
Primary Preview
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It could be the final stretch for Hillary Clinton's campaign--or not. Delegate rich Ohio and Texas are the latest, and probably the last, chance for Clinton to break Obama's winning streak. Larry talks with journalists and pundits about the "Texas Two-Step," that state's unique primary/caucus hybrid, the issues facing voters in Ohio, and what to watch for when the voting starts. Guests include, Mark Barabak, Los Angeles Times staff writer, Forrest Wilder, staff writer with The Texas Observer, Ron Elving, NPR's Senior Washington Editor, and Bill Carrick, Democratic political consultant.
How To Be Happy
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In her book, "The How of Happiness - A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want," UC Riverside professor of psychology, Sonja Lyubomirsky, maps out a plan for increasing happiness in day-to-day life. It starts with a quiz that helps readers figure out what makes them happy, and then helps them achieve a more balanced life through weight loss, exercise, and an appreciation of the things that bring joy. Larry talks to Lyubomirsky about her book and findings.
Tuesday, March 4
Judgment in LA Firefighter Harassment Case
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A Los Angeles jury has awarded 1.6 million dollars to two city Fire Department captains who claimed they were made scapegoats for the misconduct of a firefighter who laced a black firefighter's spaghetti with dog food. Larry talks about the judgment and about the case's long history with veteran City Hall reporter and KPCC commentator Marc Haefele.
George McGovern
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Larry Mantle speaks with elder statesman and former presidential candidate George McGovern about the current presidential campaign and the failings of the Bush-Cheney administration. McGovern also discusses his latest book "Ending Hunger Now: A Challenge to Persons of Faith."
Dee Dee Myers
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In her new book, "Why Women Should Rule the World," former Clinton administration press secretary Dee Dee Myers argues how everything about politics would change if women assumed control. Who would know better? In 1993 she became the first female White House Press Secretary, as well as the youngest person to hold the position. Larry talks with Myers about her book, her time in the Clinton White House, and the possibility of Hillary Clinton becoming President.
Wednesday, March 5
Primary Analysis
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Larry and his guests Mark Barabak, political correspondent for the L.A. Times, Kareem Crayton, Assistant Professor of Law and Political Science at USC Law School, and Dan Schnur, Lecturer in Political Science, for UC Berkeley and USC, and Republican political strategist, discuss the results and ramifications of Tuesday's Presidential contests in Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island. Larry also opens the phones to take listeners thoughts about Tuesday's results.
Open Phones on Primaries Continued
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Who's Taking the Los Angeles Times Buy-Out
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A list of Los Angeles Times writers who may soon leave the paper has been posted on the website LA Observed. The list includes writers Henry Weinstein and Greg Krikorian, Pulitzer Prize-winning writers David Willman and Sonia Nazario, LA Then and Now columnist Cecilia Rasmussen, and Los Angeles Poll Director Susan Pinkus. Tribune Company head Sam Zell announced last month that hundreds of jobs would be eliminated because of declining revenue. The list is comprised of Times employees who have applied for the Company's buyout offer. Larry talks with Kevin Roderick, Editor of laobserved.com, and Mark Lacter, contributor to LA Magazine, he writes the business blog for LA Observed.com and talks about business with KPCC's Morning Edition host Steve Julian.
Thursday, March 6
Homeschooling Under Legal Scrutiny
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A court ruling may send parents who home school their children back to school themselves. A district Court of Appeal ruled that children who are home schooled must be taught by someone with a valid teaching credential - even if the teacher is a parent. This morning Larry talks with law professor Edward Steinman about this ruling and what it means for home schooled children, parents and future education laws in the state of California.
Orange County Journalists Roundtable
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Larry Mantle talks with William Lobdell, City Editor of the Orange County Edition of the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register senior editorial writer and columnist, Steven Greenhut, and Gustavo Arellano, OC Weekly staff writer about the latest news events and developments in Orange County.
E.J. Dionne
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In his book, "Souled Out: Reclaiming Faith & Politics After the Religious Right, writer E.J. Dionne Jr. examines religion's role across the swath of American political life and makes an argument for why it was a moderate vote, and not a religious one, that won the presidency for Bush. Larry speaks with Dionne about the book and the religious right in America.
Friday, March 7
Job Loss Report and the Economic Outlook
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63,000 jobs were slashed in February, the most in five years and another indication that the economy is slipping into a recession. Job losses were widespread throughout the nation, with hefty cuts coming from construction, manufacturing, retailing, financial services and a variety of professional and business services. Those losses outpaced gains elsewhere, including education and health care, leisure, hospitality and the government. California shed 20,300 jobs in January, more than the other 49 states combined for the month, a government report showed Friday. Jon Beaupre talks about rising unemployment in the nation and the State with economists Chris Thornberg of Beacon Economics and Jared Bernstein of the Economic Policy Institute.
The Florida and Michigan Primaries: To Re-Do or Not to Re-Do?
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Jon Beaupre takes calls from AirTalk listeners about whether or not voters in Florida and Michigan should get a chance to hold Primary elections to have their delegates count toward the Presidential nominee. AirTalk guest host Jon Beaupre talks with LA Times reporter Peter Nicholas about resolving the delegate conundrum.
Stand-Up Comedy in the 70's
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During the rock-and-roll 1970s, a new breed of comic made telling jokes an art form. Lenny Bruce started the trend and soon other innovative comedians followed like George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, and Andy Kaufman. Many of them became as big as rock stars in an era when Saturday Night Live was the apotheosis of cool and the Improv, Catch a Rising Star, and the Comedy Store were the hottest clubs around. This morning Larry talks with Richard Zoglin as he gives a backstage view of the time in his new book. Zoglin shares his no-holds-bar back story of club owners, agents, and the players themselves.
FilmWeek Reviews
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Larry and critics Lael Loewenstein, of Variety and Peter Rainer, of The Christian Science Monitor, review some of the last week's new feature films including Married Life, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, The Bank Job, Last Stop for Paul as well as the documentaries My Name is Albert Ayler and Girls Rock!
