The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, challenged Americans with the fact that we’re not invulnerable. With the vision of two collapsing World Trade Center towers seared into the national consciousness, our government took strong and swift security measures, launching counterattacks against al-Qaida that have grown more extensive in scope and cost billions since that date. Some argue we are safer now and it’s all been worth it, but others ask if we still need the continuing massive output of resources to combat what is arguably a diminished enemy. What do you think… did the U.S. overreact to 9/11?
Global climate change is among us whether we like it or not. But it’s not all gloom and doom – there is a way for society to adapt to environmental changes. Economics and environment expert Matthew Kahn argues that if we slowly change out behaviors and surroundings, we’ll surely make it though the heat. In his new book <i>Climatopolis: How Our Cities Will Thrive in a Hotter Future</i>, he takes readers on a tour through some of the world’s largest metropolitan cities explaining what they might look and be like in the future. Patt talks to Matthew Kahn to get his point of view on our not so distant future.
KPCC welcomes Multi-American, a new Southern California Public Radio blog covering immigration, immigrant communities, and the distinct cultural influences across generations that make Southern California a region like no other. Our goal is to explore Southern California’s evolving identity as a place where the cultural landscape is constantly being shaped and reshaped by immigrants, their children and grandchildren, with each new generation contributing its own brand of American identity to the mix. We’ll report on the immigration debate, and on the policies and politics that affect Southern California residents as they play out in their communities, but also something broader: on immigration as a topic that defines our regional identity. What New York was to the 19th century, Southern California is to the 21st. This is the landscape we’ll be exploring.
For months, the Pentagon and the White House have been talking about wanting to end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that bans gay men and women from serving openly in the United States military. Yesterday U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips ruled the policy unconstitutional, declaring, "The act discriminates based on the content of the speech being regulated… It distinguishes between speech regarding sexual orientation, and inevitably, family relationships and daily activities, by and about gay and lesbian servicemembers, which is banned, and speech on those subjects by and about heterosexual servicemembers, which is permitted." The ruling will go into effect immediately unless the government files a petition for a hearing. If the government does so and loses to the famously liberal 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the case goes straight to the Supreme Court. But will this administration challenge the ruling? And if not, could this be the final end to the long-debated policy?
This weekend, HempCon, a medical marijuana show, returns to Los Angeles. Complete with dispensaries, collectives, growers, caregivers, legal services, evaluation services, equipment, accessories, and educational seminars and presentations, the convention is meant to cater "to those who may be benefited from the medical use of marijuana." HempCon is scheduled for multiple shows around the country, but with Prop 19 on the ballot in California this November, marijuana enthusiasts and activists are sure to be in "higher" spirits. KPCC's Brian Watt talks to Patt from the convention.
An appeals court ruled yesterday to resume federal funding of embryonic stem cell research after U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth issued a preliminary order barring the funding on Aug. 23. That’s the kind of skirmish skeptical scientists envisioned when President Obama appointed the evangelical Dr. Francis Collins head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), making him responsible for defending before Congress the funding of 20,000 scientists and 325,000 outside researchers. At issue were Dr. Collins’ Christian beliefs, which place him in a 7% minority of National Academy of Science members who believe in God, but as a former atheist and director of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Collins is not one to be pigeon-holed. While he’s long opposed the creation of embryos for the purpose of research, he feels it morally wasteful not to take advantage of hundreds of thousands of embryos created for in vitro fertilization and ultimately disposed of anyway. Patt talks with the evangelical director about the current state of embryonic stem cell research and reconciling scientists with the religious right.
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.
