March 24 - 28, 2008
Monday, March 24
Housing Sales Up, Prices Decline. Time To Reassess Your Property Taxes?
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Guest host David Lazarus talks with Paul Bishop, economist for the National Association of Realtors, Andrew LaPage, Analyst at DataQuick Information Systems, and Rick Auerbach, L.A. County Assessor about the latest news regarding the housing market.
Is The Public Health At Risk When Kids Aren't Vaccinated?
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Guest host David Lazarus talks with Saad Omer, MBBS, MPH, PhD, Associate Director, Institute for Vaccine Safety, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Bob Sears,M.D., pediatrician and author of "The Vaccine Book," and Jonathan Fielding, M.D., Director of Public Health and Health Officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health about the issue of whether or not to vaccinate your children.
The Legal Limits Of Domestic Spying
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The ACLU believes that the National Security Agency is engaged in domestic data collection operations similar to the "Total Information Awareness" program that was shut down in 2003. The ACLU's main concern is that American citizens' right to privacy is being secretly violated. But the NSA has stated that it "strictly follows laws and regulations designed to preserve every American's privacy rights under the 4th Amendment to the Constitution." To be sure, the line between protecting national security and preserving civil liberties is more difficult to draw than ever, due in part to advances in technology. Congress and President Bush are currently trying to resolve the debate. The House passed a bill recently limiting the government's surveillance powers, but the President has threatened to veto it. AirTalk guest host David Lazarus talks with a panel of experts including Siobhan Gorman, National Security Correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, Caroline Frederickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office, and Douglas Kmiec, Professor of Constitutional Law at Pepperdine University School of Law about the legal limits of domestic spying.
Modern Day Slavery
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In his book, "A Crime So Monstrous," journalist E. Benjamin Skinner shows how slavery the world over is at its worst. Skinner visited over a dozen countries in four years to uncover the tales of individuals - men, women and children alike - whose lives are subject to the whims of others. He evaluates the business of human trafficking and gives a glance at the everyday existence of the enslaved.
Tuesday, March 25
Conversion Of Police Desk Jobs Urged
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A new report released Monday by City Controller Laura Chick says hundreds of Los Angeles police officers should be shifted from desk jobs to patrolling the streets. The study, which comes as Mayor Villaraigosa and Police Chief Bratton continue pushing to hire 1000 more officers, says civilian workers could fill those 565 LAPD positions. Guest host Ted Chen talks with City Controller Laura Chick about the studies findings, and Eugene O'Donnell, Professor of Law and Police Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, about the impact of higher numbers of cops on crime.
Hands Free Law May Not Make Roads Safer
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Researchers say California's new cell phone law, requiring drivers to use a hands free device on July 1, may not make the roads any safer. Why? Drivers are still distracted even if both hands are on the wheel. Guest host Ted Chen speaks with the author of the new law, State Senator Joe Simitian, about the research and how it pertains to the new law. Ted also talks with David Strayer, Professor of Psychology at the University of Utah, and takes listener calls to find what Southern California drivers are doing on the road.
Satellite Radio Merger Moves Forward
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The Justice Department on Monday approved Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s proposed $5 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., saying the deal was unlikely to lessen competition or harm consumers. The transaction was approved without conditions, despite opposition from consumer groups and an intense lobbying campaign by the land-based radio industry. The merger still requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission, which prohibited the combination when it first granted satellite radio operating licenses in 1997. Guest host Ted Chen talks with Jeffrey Yorke, Washington Bureau Chief and Business Editor for Radio and Records.
Female Professionals Hit The Glass Ceiling
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In the past few decades, the gender pay gap between male and female professionals and executives has slowly narrowed. But in recent years, that gap has slowed down, stopped, and in some cases reversed. Why is this happening? AirTalk guest host Ted Chen talks to Portfolio magazine's Harriet Rubin about the surprising news, and what it means. Ted also talks with Warren Farrell, author of "Why Men Earn More," and Philip N. Cohen, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Wednesday, March 26
Election Update
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Guest host Ted Chen discusses latest news from the campaign trail with Mark Barabak, political correspondent for the L.A. Times, Chris Lehane, democratic political consultant and partner in the strategic communications firm of Fabiani & Lehane, and Arnold Steinberg, veteran Republican political strategist and analyst.
State Superintendent Of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell
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Guest host Ted Chen talks with State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell about the impact of cuts to education in California.
Iraq Update
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Guest host Ted Chen talks with Sam Dagher, Iraq Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, James Carafano, Assistant Director of the Davis Institute for International Studies at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., and Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress about the latest news from Iraq.
Bullying In The Workplace
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Name calling, humiliation and harassment: Bullies have taken their tactics from the schoolyard to the boardroom, where it may cause more emotional damage according to researchers. A study on workplace bullying suggests the problem is so severe that it causes more problems for workers than sexual harassment. Why? It is more subtle and usually condoned as tough management practices. Some say there need to be laws on the books to protect workers from bully bosses. Others say personnel issues should be sorted out in the office. Guest host Ted Chen takes your calls on the subject and talks with Gary Namie, PhD, and Ruth Namie, Ph,D., co-founders, of The Workplace Bullying Institute, and Robert Sutton, Professor of Management Science and Engineering in the Stanford Engineering School, and author of a book on workplace bullies, about the issue.
Thursday, March 27
Zero Emission Vehicles May Soon Be Harder to Find
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During a hearing today, members of the California Air Resources Board are discussing cutting the number of battery-powered and hydrogen vehicles that automakers must produce for California. The rules have been modified four times since they were introduced in 1990. The proposal is being criticized by environmentalists, health advocates and some leading political figures. CARB plans to vote on the proposal at the end of the day today after hearing public comments. AirTalk guest host Ted Chen hears from CARB chairwoman Mary Nichols and talks with Tim Carmichael of the Coalition for Clean Air.
The Second World and the New World Order
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Author Parag Khanna talks with guest host Ted Chen about the struggle for power between the United States, the European Union and China in the global marketplace. The contest for control is waged most decisively in the Second World, which is made up of regions in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and East Asia. In his new book, "The Second World," Khanna looks at the evolution of geopolitics in those regions and how it will ultimately determine which country is the next super power.
Social Security and Medicare Funds Being Depleted
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An annual governmental report shows the Social Security trust fund will be exhausted of its reserves by the year 2041. The same report shows dwindling Medicare resources by 2019. The situation has been worsening for years, but nothing meaningful has been done yet to fix it. None of the presidential hopefuls have addressed the issue thus far. AirTalk guest host Ted Chen talks with Drew Nannis of the AARP about the situation, and about what you can do about it.
Open Skies Agreement
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Guest host Ted Chen discusses the latest news about the new "Open Skies Agreement" that begins this weekend. It will allow airlines based in the United States and Europe to fly across the Atlantic between any two airports in each region. Now, airlines are required to take off or land in their native countries and can only serve certain airports. Ted talks with aviation consultant Mike Boyd about what the agreement means for air fares to and from Europe.
Adventures in the World of Chinese Food
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There are more Chinese restaurants in America than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendy's combined. In her new book, "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles," New York Times reporter and Chinese-American Jennifer 8 Lee explores the culinary, social and cultural history of the customary after-Chinese-dinner treat and the world of Chinese Food. Lee joins Ted Chen to talk about her book and takes listener calls.
Friday, March 28
A-G Resolution Audit
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Three years ago the Los Angeles Unified School district launched the "A-G Resolution," a program to implement tougher graduation requirements. But an internal audit obtained by the LA Daily News indicates that the program itself couldn't graduate; the report says the program is a mess. The article is creating ripples throughout the LAUSD. Guest-host Ted Chen tries to find out what's gone wrong with this LA Unified program. Ted's guests include Monica Garcia, President of the LAUSD school board, Ford Roosevelt, President and CEO of Project GRAD Los Angeles, and Julie Mendoza, Southern California Director of ARCHES, the Alliance for Regional Collaboration to Heighten Educational Success.
Belly Fat And Dementia
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A new study suggests having a big belly in your 40s can boost your risk of getting Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia decades later. And it's not just about weight. Previous research found evidence that obesity in middle age raises the chances of developing dementia later, but the new data finds a separate risk from storing a lot of fat in the abdomen. Even people who weren't
overweight were susceptible. The study involved 6,583 men and women aged 40 to 45 whose bellies were measured between 1964 and 1973. The researchers checked medical records to see who had developed dementia decades later. Participants with normal body weight and but high belly measurements were 89 percent more likely to have dementia. Ted talks with Rachel Whitmer, the lead author of the study and Research Scientist and Epimediologist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, and Margaret Gatz, Professor of psychology at USC's Alzheimers Disease Research Center.
Take Me Out To The Ballgame... But Where Do I Park?
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Tomorrow the Dodgers will hold their much-advertised 50th anniversary special game at the Coliseum. Trouble is, with record turnout expected, traffic is expected to be a nightmare and parking may be inadequate. But officials have set up some remote parking and bus locations in response. Guest-host Ted Chen helps KPCC's listeners avoid the expected crunch around Expo Park. Joining Ted is Lawn Rosenberg, Vice President of Stadium Operations for the Dodgers.
$35 For A Movie Ticket
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Yes, it's true and coming to a theater near you. An Australian theater company and its investors plan to build new luxury theaters in the U.S. that charge $35 bucks a head. What will you get for your thirty-five dollars? Reclining seats, waiter service, and valet parking. Is it worth it? Well, it seems folks in other countries think so because they've been showing up to luxury venues there. But will these luxury theatres entice American audiences into the theatres, especially in this era of shrinking box office revenues and our declining economy. Ted talks with Rob Goldberg of Village Roadshow Cinemas about the luxury theatres his company is planning to bring to the States.
FilmWeek Reviews
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Ted Chen and critics Jean Oppenheimer of Village Voice Media, and Wade Major, of boxoffice.com and CityBeat review some of the week's new feature films including "21," "Stop-Loss," "Flawless," "Priceless," and "Run, Fat Boy, Run" as well as the documentaries "Praying with Lior" and "Wetlands Preserved."
