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July 17 - 21, 2006
Monday, July 17
Wildfire Update
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Lightning and heavy rains are in the forecast in Southern California, where firefighters continue to battle two huge fires that have scorched nearly 82-thousand acres. Substantial rain is coming, but could do more harm than good - if the rain comes too fast, it could trigger flash flooding, and thunderstorms also bring lightning that could start new fires. The Sawtooth fire is now 70 percent contained, although the adjacent Millard fire grew yesterday and is just 25 percent contained.
Jet Noise at Van Nuys
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Stage 2 jets are those built before 1983, and they make more noise than Stage 3 planes built after that date. Local communities have long fought to have landings and take-offs of these jets phased out entirely from Van Nuys Airport. Today the LA Airport Commission is reviewing a report on this phase-out. Rick Orlov, reporter for The Daily News, and Wayne Williams, of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, talk about the issues.
Web 2.0
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A new way to communicate is being fostered on the internet as sites like myspace.com , flickr.com , and youtube.com rise in popularity. This so called next-generation of websites, referred to as web 2.0, are changing the way we communicate, not just in cyberspace but in the real world as well. Amanda Lenhart, senior research specialist at The Pew Internet and American Life Project; Michael Arrington, editor at techcrunch.com ; and Kevin Rose, founder of digg.com, join Patt.
Senate Debate begins over Stem Cells
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The Senate began debate today on three stem-cell bills, including one that will likely result in President Bush's first veto. That bill calls for greater federal funding for research that uses leftover human embryos in the hope of finding cures for a variety of diseases. The House approved the measure more than a year ago. The Senate is likely to pass the measure and the president has promised a veto if it passes - the first veto of his presidency. Patt debates the politics of stem cells with NPR's Senior Washington editor, Ron Elving.
What's in a Name?
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Last week the Senate voted to change the name of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the U.S. Emergency Management Agency. But will this simple name change do anything more than remove it from the butt of many late night talk show jokes? Or is that the point? And USEMA's not alone -- from Bombay to Mumbai, South Central to South LA, Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC -- Patt asks William Lozitio, president of Strategic Name Development , what's in a name?
Tuesday, July 18
Syria in Political Mix
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In the continuing crisis between Israel and Lebanon, Western leaders find themselves turning to Syria to reassert its influence on Islamic militants to stop attacks on Israel and release Israeli prisoners. Kim Murphy, LA Times reporter, gives an update from Damascus, and Wayne White, former deputy director with the State Department's Middle East Intelligence Office, talks about Syria's role as a power broker.
News-Press - Embattled Newsroom
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Eight senior staff members of the Santa Barbara News Press walked out in protest after the paper's publisher, Wendy McCaw, broke down the wall that is supposed to separate news from editorial opinion. Scott Hadley, senior writer at the News Press resigned last week after his article about the walk out of his colleagues was suppressed. Scott joins guest host Jon Beaupre along with Roy Peter Clark, senior scholar, The Poynter Institute and John Palminteri, senior reporter at KEYT Television.
Rethinking the Front Lawn
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We need to rethink our love affair with the front lawn, according to a new report by the Public Policy Institute of California. Inland area homes in particular require two to three times more water for landscaping purposes than their coastal counterparts. Why are we so obsessed with the empty front lawn with all the mowing, watering and weeding necessary for its upkeep? And, with the increased strain on water resources, what, if anything, can be done to change our mindset about lush lawns?
Wednesday, July 19
Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon
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The rocket fire exchanged between Israel and Hezbollah is forcing residents to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis within Lebanon. The southern suburbs of Beirut are empty and the northern section of the city is filled with refugees seeking food, shelter, and water. Kate Seelye, journalist based in Lebanon, and Hicham Hassan, of the International Committee of the Red Cross , join us from Beirut with the latest. Tim Irwin, with the UN High Commission for Refugees , talks about the mobilization of efforts to help those in need.
Retail Healthcare
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More and more retail stores are offering walk-in health clinics that offer simple pricing, fast service and non-traditional hours. On today's Patt Morrison we explore how retail healthcare, and other trends, are changing how medical services are being delivered in California. Wellness Express and QuickHealth plan to open the first in-store clinics in Southern California by the first of the year. Guest host Jon Beaupre speaks with Paul Kauffmann, CEO of Wellness Express, Dave Mandelkern, Founder and CEO of QuickHealth, David Lerman, General Council of Southern California Permanente Medical Group, and Margaret Laws of the California Healthcare Foundation about this latest trend in health care.
Thursday, July 20
Schwarzenegger Gives $150 Million Loan to Stem Cell Agency
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Underscoring his difference with President Bush over stem cell research, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has authorized a $150 million loan to fund the state's stem cell institute. The move comes a day after President Bush vetoed a measure to expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Schwarzenegger says he's committed to having California move ahead with such research.
Can Diplomacy work in the Middle East?
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The United Nations has proposed an international peacekeeping effort in Lebanon that has become a focal point for of American diplomacy. But can it be effective, and what will be the benefits and drawbacks of putting this force in place. Patt is joined by UN correspondent Linda Fasulo from New York; Ambassador Barbara Bodine, visiting scholar at MIT with the Center for International Studies and former Ambassador to Yemen; and Marius Deeb, professor of Middle East and Islamic Studies at Johns Hopkins University-SAIS.
T.C. Boyle's Latest - Talk Talk
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In his 11th novel, Talk Talk (Viking), author T.C. Boyle tells the story of Dana Halter, a deaf schoolteacher, who just as she is beginning a new relationship discovers that her identity has been stolen. The narrative switches between Dana's account and that of the thief who has assumed her identity. T.C Boyle joins Patt in studio to explore the novel's themes of identity, love, and language.
T.C. Boyle will be signing his book tonight at 7 p.m. at the Pasadena City Library, 285 E Walnut St.
The Loh Life
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Commentator Sandra Tsing Loh has her own master plan for takeover of the schools.
Friday, July 21
On the Road Again
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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger - arguing that he has been the "super salesman" of California products from produce to high technology - said Wednesday that in addition to his upcoming trade mission to Mexico, he will travel to India and Europe as part of what he called a "commitment to bring back California's economy." How much time is the Governor spending out of the state and do his trade missions actually translate into real business for the state of California? Patt speaks with Carla Marinucci, political writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, Mark Mosher, Director of the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth , and Steven Levy, director of the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy.
Conservatives Without a Conscience
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John Dean, the former counsel to President Nixon, offers Conservatives Without a Conscience (Viking) as a strong rebuke against the influence of Christian fundamentalists and other right-wing hard liners on the Republican Party.
Not Your Daddy's 3-D
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The film Monster House opens in 3-D in theaters today. The images and the technology behind the film are vastly different from 3-D films of the 50's. Patt speaks with Joshua Greer, the cofounder and CEO of Real D, about what has changed and whether or not today's audiences will embrace the new and improved 3-D.
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