President Obama announced today that he will abandon the European Missile Shield, part of a larger U.S. effort to construct a global anti-ballistic missile system. The missile shield, aimed at stopping incoming nuclear ICBM’s from rogue states like Iran and North Korea (and possibly at deterring a larger attack from Russia) was a key part of the Bush Administration’s defense strategy and relied partially on missile bases in the Czech Republic and Poland. Those bases are off the table now—was this the right move, politically and militarily?
You have to feel for Sen. Max Baucus—the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, who has been tasked with writing compromise legislation designed to bring warring Republicans and Democrats together on a national health care reform policy, has instead managed to author a bill that alienates almost everyone. Every Congressional Republican has backed away from supporting the bill and liberal Democrats are angered at the concessions made by Sen. Baucus and seemingly supported by President Obama. What about this bill turns off all the involved parties?
A recent study by the RAND corporation shows that the quality of care that one receives at a retail medical clinic when being treated for such common ailments as ear infections, sore throats and UTIs is no less than that of the care they would receive at a doctor’s office, urgent care or ER. With lower costs and shorter waits are retail medical clinics the wave of the future?
After passengers in Rochester, N.Y. were forced to stay on the tarmac overnight, two business travel groups say enough is enough! Once confident airlines could find a solution to their problems, they’ve now decided to support a new bill that would impose a fine on airlines that keep passengers stranded on an aircraft for more than three hours. The Air Transport Association says each delay is unique, and passing uniform legislation could compound the problem for passengers. The airlines claim they can solve the problem, but passenger advocacy groups are literally saying….we’ve been waiting too long.
Communities around the country are signing on for the ‘Buy Local’ movement. Encouraging consumers to shop within their zip code creates local jobs, conserves energy and – most importantly – returns dollars to the local economy. But what does the “local” label really mean? Is it strictly for the mom-and-pops, or does it include your neighborhood Starbucks or Target store? Some big corporations have even been accused of “local washing” – disguising their big-box roots with indy-flavored marketing campaigns. What does local flavor taste like to you?
Henry Gibson died this week from cancer at the young age of 73. A comedic actor well-known for his roles on Rowan and Martin's "Laugh-In," he could also be convincing as the heavy, as he showed in Robert Altman's "Nashville." We talk about Henry Gibson with Gary Owens, actor and announcer.
Patt Morrison is known for its innovative discussions of local politics and culture, as well as its presentation of the effects of national and world news on Southern California.
