June 9 - 13, 2008
Monday, June 9
Oil's Up, Dow's Down. What's Next?
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Larry Mantle talks with economists about the surge in oil prices, the plunge in the stock market, and about how American consumers will fare in a troubled economy with few signs of relief in sight. Economists Philip Verleger, Chris Thornberg, and Stephen Levy, and Newsweek Senior Editor Daniel Gross weigh in.
Hillary Clinton Endorses Barack Obama
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Larry Mantle takes listeners thought and opinions about Hillary Clinton's speech over the weekend in which she endorsed Barack Obama as the Democratic Presidential candidate.
Are We Experiencing a Populist Revolt?
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In his new book, "The Uprising," author David Sirota chronicles today's seething popular discontent on both the Right and Left, which he contends is fueling a new populist political movement in America. Larry speaks with Sirota about his theory.
The Future of Food
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In his new book "The End of Food," Paul Roberts paints a grim picture of the worldwide food crisis. Riots, floods and famine are the pervasive themes that threaten the future of global food production. The author contends that the way we make, consume and even think about food is no longer compatible or safe for billions of consumers. Roberts joins Larry Mantle to discuss the increasing paradox of western-world obesity and third-world starvation and to examine possible solutions to the world's food crisis.
Tuesday, June 10
Bush Orders Federal Contractors To Verify Employees' Legal Status
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President Bush has signed an executive order requiring contractors and others who do business with the federal government to make sure their employees can legally work in the U.S. The order says federal departments and agencies must require contractors to use an electronic system to verify that the workers are eligible. Larry talks with Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, Mike Aitken, Director of Government Affairs for the Society for Human Resource Management, Democratic representative Zoe Lofgren, John Trasvina, President and General Counsel for MALDEF, and Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa.
Latinos And The Rise Of The New Right In Local Government
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Costa Mesa became the epicenter of the immigration debate when it passed an ordinance to deputize units of the Costa Mesa Police department to enforce national immigration laws. They also made an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to have an ICE deputy work inside the Costa Mesa jail system. In his new book "Terror in the Latino Barrio," social activist and professor Humberto Caspa gives his account of how right-wing interest groups in Costa Mesa politicized local governments. He contends that a new breed of politicians and political activists is making every effort possible to stop the flow of immigrant Latinos and U.S.-Latinos into Costa Mesa. He joins Larry Mantle to talk about his book and the situation for Latinos in Costa Mesa.
Vitamin D: Wonder Drug?
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A recent study indicates people who are deficient in vitamin D have a higher risk for all types of diseases including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Larry talks about the studies findings, as well as several other studies that have had similar findings.
Scott McClellan's Testimony
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Larry Mantle talks with local Democratic Congressman and member of the House Judiciary Committee, Brad Sherman, about Scott McClellan's June 20th testimony before the committee regarding Vice President Dick Cheney's involvement in the Valerie Plame CIA identity leak.
The Rand Corporation And The Rise Of The American Empire
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Born in the wake of World War II as an idea factory to advise the air force on how to wage and win wars, the RAND Corporation quickly became the creator of America's anti-Soviet nuclear strategy. A magnet for the best and the brightest, its ranks included Cold War luminaries who arguably saved us from nuclear annihilation and unquestionably created Eisenhower's "military-industrial complex." Author Alex Abella joins Larry Mantle to talk about "Soldiers of Reason," the first-ever popular history of RAND. Written with full access to its archives, the book chronicles the rise of the secretive think tank that has been the driving force behind American government for sixty years.
Wednesday, June 11
California Gay Couples Urged Not To Sue For Recognition
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Next week California will become the second state to allow same sex marriages. Nine major gay rights groups have joined together to ask couples not to sue the federal government or other states to have their California nuptials recognized. Larry talks with James Essex of the ACLU about the six-page memorandum which warns that legal action could harm the marriage equality movement.
If you would like to volunteer to be deputized as a commissioner of civil marriages please call 562.462.2081.
Los Angeles Photos At The Huntington
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Larry Mantle talks with co-curators Jenny Watts and Claudia Bonn-Spector of the largest exhibition of Los Angeles photography ever mounted which opens on Saturday, June 14 at the Huntington Library. "This Side of Paradise: Body and Landscape in L.A. Photographs" explores the dynamic relationship between the city and the art of photography from the 1860s to the present, The exhibit features some 250 images from the Huntington's collection as well as from loans from other institutions, collectors, and artists.
America's Long-Term Military Presence In Iraq
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U.S. and Iraq are working to finalize a long-term security pact between the two countries by the end of next month. The agreement may ensure long-term U.S. political and military support for Iraq and could help ease Arab concerns that the country would fall under Iranian domination if U.S. troops leave. It would also provide a legal basis for keeping U.S. troops here after the United Nations mandate expires at the end of the year. Larry talks with Ned Parker, Los Angeles Times reporter in Baghdad, James Phillips, Senior Research Fellow in Middle Eastern Affairs at the Heritage Foundation, and Laurence Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and a Senior Advisor to the Center for Defense Information.
The Rise Of Clear Channel And The Fall Of Commerical Radio
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Critics have blamed Clear Channel for the downfall of American culture while its fans have hailed it as a business dynamo. Founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays, Clear Channel Communications has evolved from a local Texas radio broadcast operation to the fourth largest media company in the nation. As one of the largest, most profitable and most loathed corporations in America, Clear Channel's success has redefined America's corporate and cultural landscapes. Author Alec Foege joins Larry Mantle to examine how the Mays family used rapacious financial engineering and centrally automated music programming to become America's radio behemoth. Foege's new book is "Right of the Dial: The Rise of Clear Channel and the Fall of Commercial Radio."
Thursday, June 12
Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Guantanamo Prisoners
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The Supreme Court ruled that terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts.Larry talks with John Eastman, Dean of Chapman University School of Law, and Mark Falkoff, Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University School of Law, and an attorney for 16 Guantanamo prisoners.
New Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens
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Larry Mantle talks with Orange County Register political writer Peggy Lowe about some of the opposition that new Sheriff Sandra Hutchens is encountering from primarily Republican men in Orange County who believe the appointment to be "gender-driven." Then, Larry speaks with the newly appointed Sheriff of Orange County, Sandra Hutchens.
The Hollywood Bowl Season
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The 2008 Hollywood Bowl season begins Friday, June 20th. Larry talks with President and CEO Deborah Borda about the new season and some of its highlights.
Sheriff Lee Baca On Black-Latino Tension
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Los Angeles County Sheriff, Lee Baca, wrote an opinion piece in today's L.A. Times detailing his views on the interracial violence between Blacks and Latinos in the Southland. Larry talks with Sheriff Baca about his belief that much of the gang violence in our area is in fact racially motivated and that race-based violence is making its way into other areas of society.
Obama Warms The Globe
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Senator Barack Obama's victory as the Democratic Presidential nominee seems to have captivated the world. Front pages and newscasts from Turkey to Tokyo and Iran to Israel, have featured the charismatic candidate as a political giant slayer. Many see his surprising ascent as a chance for real change in American politics, but not everyone is pleased with his positions. Larry talks with Borzou Daragahi, Middle East Correspondent for the Los Angles Times, and Eleanor Beardsley, NPR correspondent in Paris about how Obama is being perceived and portrayed overseas.
James Moody
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Larry Mantle speaks with 83 year-old jazz saxophonist, James Moody, about his life and career. Mr. Moody will perform at the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, June 14th
Friday, June 13
Gay Marriage Attitudes
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Larry Mantle opens up the phones to gay listeners to hear their thoughts and feelings about the legalization of gay marriage in California.
The Pixar Phenomenon
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Larry Mantle and amazon.com animation critic Charles Solomon talk about how Pixar Animation Studios has changed the film industry.
FilmWeek Reviews
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Larry and critics Andy Klein, of CityBeat, Jean Oppenheimer, of Village Voice Media, and Charles Solomon, of amazon.com review some of the week's new feature films including "The Happening," "The Incredible Hulk," "Savage Grace," "Meet Bill," and "The Animation Show 4."
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