In his first foray into the world of Asian multiculturalism, on Thursday President Obama heads to Tokyo, and on to Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul… five cities in six days, with a long list of priorities on his agenda. From climate change to global security and antiterrorism to balance of power issues, he hopes to increase the United States' influence in the region and engage as a full Pacific nation partner.
One of the earliest criticisms of the Bush Administration’s war policies were the lack of accommodations for returning veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. From mental health services to support for families back home, the Department of Veterans Affairs seemed less-than-ready to handle the new demand from returning vets. President Obama promised to make veterans affairs a priority, and almost a year into his term how’s he doing? In light of the Ft. Hood tragedy, are there enough support services in place for America’s warriors?
How has the post-war experience changed for Veterans since Vietnam? Patt talks with Veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom about their experiences.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials this week gave a big boost to South Los Angeles, recommending that the Crenshaw Transit Corridor project, originally planned as a dedicated busway, be upgraded to a $1.7 billion light rail. Officials hope to fund the project, which would run down Crenshaw, through Inglewood, and to LAX, with revenues from last year’s Measure R transportation sales tax. Patt talks with officials about the impact a light rail would have on the environment and southwest Los Angeles, an area traditionally underserved by the county’s rail network.
The national debt is like the dangerously over-stuffed closet in your hallway: you know that it’s about to explode, with potentially disastrous consequences, and yet as long as it’s out of sight it’s easy to ignore. The cumulative American debt is $12 trillion, and is projected to continue growing as we fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, continue to spend money to prop up our weak economy and continue to pay for huge entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security. Patt talks with a panel of experts who will chart how we dug ourselves this huge hole and how we can dig ourselves out of it—and the risks of not acting now.
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.
