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May 29 - June 2, 2006
Monday, May 29
1973 Nervous Breakdown
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The year was 1973. Jesus Christ Super Star was released, bell-bottoms and disco invaded the dance floors and the Sears Tower became the tallest building in the world. It was a watershed year that marked the end of the 60's and the beginning of a new cultural sensibility. For Americans, it represented a year of shattering political crisis, marked by defeat in Vietnam, Roe v. Wade, and the Watergate hearings. Andreas Killen joins Patt Morrison for a look back at this remarkable era, and its impact on today. His latest book is called, 1973 Nervous Breakdown (Bloomsbury).
Laurel Canyon - Rock and Roll's Legendary Neighborhood
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We open the virtual scrapbook of memory on Memorial day by recalling the laid-back folk sounds of the Byrds, Joni Mitchell, and Crosby Stills, Nash and Yong, all coming out of that rustic music factory, Laurel Canyon. Patt speaks with Michael Walker, the author of Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Legendary Neighborhood (Faber and Faber).
Tuesday, May 30
Whistle Blowing Faces a Challenge, and Loses
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The Supreme Court today made it harder for government employees to claim they were retaliated against for going public with allegations of official misconduct. The ruling sided with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, which appealed an appellate court ruling which held that prosecutor Richard Ceballos was constitutionally protected when he wrote a memo questioning whether a county sheriff's deputy had lied in a search warrant affidavit. Ceballos and Bonnie Robin-Vergeer, an attorney with the Public Citizen Litigation Group, talk about the issue.
Urban Farm or New Development?
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LA County Sheriff's deputies could evict the farmers and protesters from the 14-acre plot of land known as the South Central Gardens. The farmers and their supporters say it should be preserved as an urban farm. A legal battle over the land culminated last week when a judge signed an eviction order, but the protestors have yet to be evicted - why not? Dean Kuipers, deputy editor with Los Angeles CityBeat has been covering the story; and Steve Whitmore, senior media advisor with the sheriff's department, updates Patt on the Sheriff's plans.
Phil Angelides for Governor
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As the campaign for the right to face Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the November election enters its final full week, a Los Angeles Times poll found the Democratic candidates are in a virtual tie among likely Democratic primary voters. The poll also shows Angelides gaining momentum, while Westly's support has remained the same. Patt speaks with State Treasurer Phil Angelides about his candidacy and his race to beat Westly in next week's primary.
Wednesday, May 31
Counterterror Grant Money - San Diego Loses Out
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San Diego is getting just half as much counterterror grant money this year as last, and Orange County and the San Francisco Bay area also are losing out under Homeland Security Department urban-area grants announced Wednesday. The Los Angeles-Long Beach area will gain - going from $73 million last year to $80.6 million this year. Patt Morrison discusses this issue with Chris Bertelli, Deputy Director at the California office of Homeland Security.
Unplugging Standby Power
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Some microwaves can use more power just keeping their clock display lit than heating food. The power that these devices use while in an idle mode is known as standby power. This unused power adds up to real money in electricity costs. A bill that just passed the California Assembly is attempting to cut these costs by requiring manufacturers to label electronic devices so consumers know how much energy is used when the device is in standby mode. J.P Ross, author of a study on standby power, Rob Schlichting, spokesperson for the California Energy Comission, and Douglas Johnson with the Technology Policy for Consumer Electronics join Patt to weigh in on standby power.
Immigration Posturing
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How is immigration affecting political races around California? Pilar Marrero political editor at La Opinión and Louis DeSipio, Professor of Political Science and Latino Studies at UC Irvine join Patt to discuss how some politicians are using this heated issue to their advantage and why others barely even mention it.
Death is his Beat
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Leading readers beyond the yellow tape, Michael Connelly's latest book chronicles a decade of covering crime in Florida and in Los Angeles. Crime Beat: A Decade of Covering Cops & Killers (Little, Brown) is a collection of Connelly's printed work as a reporter, with stories of serial killers, burglars, and double lives. Connelly talks with Patt about the cases and journalistic experience which inspired him to author 15 crime novels. His next novel in the popular series about LAPD Lieutenant Bosch comes out in October.
Thursday, June 1
Assembly in Action as Deadline Nears
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In an effort to pass over 200 bills before the Friday deadline and return to their districts, where some members are campaigning for the primary election next week, California Assembly members passed several measures of note last night. KPCC's Sacramento reporter, Tamara Keith, gives an update on the action. Dan Walters discusses the political implications of the minimum wage bill, and Ron Grover, Los Angeles Bureau Chief at Business Week will talk about legislation allowing telephone companies to compete in the cable business.
Congressional Races
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Primary races may not carry as much weight as those in the general election but they expose the fights, disagreements, and drama that will determine the direction the parties will take come November. To give us a picture of what is going on in California and around the country Patt speaks with Allan Hoffenblum, GOP consultant, Darry Sragow, Democratic strategist, and Ken Rudin, NPR political editor.
The Loh Life
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Sandra has found a way to support overwhelmed teachers in the public education system - she swipes her VISA for needed classroom projects and supplies at donorschoose.org.
Friday, June 2
Steve Westly for Governor
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Heading into the final weekend of campaigning for their party's nomination, State Controller Steve Westly and State Treasurer Phil Angelides are in a statistical tie for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. The two have had a difficult time distinguishing themselves from one another aside from the others accusations of corruption that are delivered in the form of 30-second commercial spots. State Controller Steve Westly joins Patt to discuss his plans for the final few days and why he should be California's next governor.
Lt. Governor Race: Running to be No. 2
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Three established Democrats are vying for their party's nomination for the office of lieutenant governor. While most Californians don't even know what a Lt. Governor does, the office can be a powerful stepping stone - three lieutenant governors have gone on to be elected California governor, seven others became California's top executive when the governor took another position or died. Two state senators, Jackie Speier of Hillsborough and Liz Figueroa of Fremont, are competing with Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi for the state's No 2 position. They join Patt for a debate.
Ghouls Descend on LA
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The Fangoria Weekend of Horrors brings famous frightening faces to the Los Angeles area with a terrifying line-up of talent from both film and television. Behind the Mask director Scott Glosserman and veteran horror actor Nathan Baesel give Patt the shivers in studio.
This fright-filled three-day event takes place from Friday June 2 through Sunday June 4 at the Burbank Airport Hilton, 2500 Hollywood Way. For more information visit www.fangoria.com and www.behindthemaskthemovie.com
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