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December 18 - 22, 2006
Monday, Dec. 18
Bong Economics
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Could marijuana be the key to funding California's many cash-strapped government programs? It just might be, according to a recent study on the economics of marijuana production. $6.7 million worth of marijuana plants were seized in California in 2005. And a report released today by a marijuana public policy analyst makes the claim that the market value of cannabis in the US is $35 billion, which would make it the country's most valuable cash crop. That's no surprise to libertarians and advocates for the legalization of pot, who have long argued that the US should stop spending to fight marijuana production, and should instead legalize, regulate and tax it--as is done with other, arguably far more damaging drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. They argue that California would garner a windfall in tax revenues; could the California budget deficit go up in a cloud of bong smoke?
The Politics of Disease Funding
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On Tuesday afternoon President George Bush will sign into law legislation that authorizes nearly $1 billion for autism research. Supporters hail the bill as an acknowledgement of the autism epidemic facing our nation. They say it will do for autism what the Ryan White Pediatric AIDS bill did for HIV/AIDS. Today guests join Patt to discuss the politics of disease funding.
The Ambassadors
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In an era where diplomacy often takes a back seat to military might, author Jonathan Wright has written a colorful history of ambassadors through the ages. From antiquity to the Renaissance he chronicles the travails and accomplishments of the world's emissaries as they negotiated culture and politics far from home. His book is called, The Ambassadors: From Ancient Greece to Renaissance Europe, the Men Who Introduced the World to Itself (Harcourt).
- Jonathan Wright, author, The Ambassadors: From Ancient Greece to Renaissance Europe, the Men Who Introduced the World to Itself (Harcourt)
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Infectious Outbreak at White Memorial
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A bacterial infection is believed to be the cause behind recent deaths of premature babies at White Memorial Medical Center. White closed it's neonatal unit on December 4 and it's pediatric unit on December 15.
The Coming China Wars
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In the past few decades, China's economy has been one of the fastest growing in the world, helping to create a new middle class and making the nation a powerful force in global politics. But are these developments creating major problems for the future? According to the author of The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought, How They Can Be Won (FT Press), in the years to come, the U.S. and the rest of the world will be fighting with China over everything from decent jobs, livable wages, and leading-edge technologies to resources such as oil, copper, steel and even food, water, and air.
China: An On-the-Ground Perspective
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Anthony Kuhn, NPR's foreign correspondent based in Beijing, began contributing reports to NPR from China in 1996. During that time, Kuhn also worked as an accredited freelance reporter with the Los Angeles Times and as Beijing correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review. Over the years he has seen China grow from a sleeping giant into a global force. He joins Patt and guest Peter Navarro with his on-the-ground perspective.
Wednesday, Dec. 20
The Top Ten Stories you Missed in 2006
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There are stories you hear about - and then important stories that end up hidden near the back of the newspaper. Take, for example, the fact that just after the House of Representatives approved a nuclear pact with India in July, the Bush administration imposed sanctions on two Indian firms for supplying Iran with missile parts. Or there's the story of the Bush administration loosening restriction on martial law. Patt talks with William Dobson, managing editor of Foreign Policy magazine, about the "Top ten stories you missed in 2006".
Eric Roth
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Since penning 1994's smash hit Forrest Gump, writer Eric Roth has crafted screenplays that have both impressed the critics and drawn viewers into the theater. Credits include films such as Ali and The Horse Whisperer, as well as Munich and The Insider. Now, after twelve years of nurturing, his latest work opens in theaters tomorrow. It's called The Good Shepherd, and it tells the story of the creation of the CIA. Roth joins us today to talk about his new release, as well as the art of creating films with both mass and critical appeal.
Thursday, Dec. 21
Billions Go Behind Bars
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This afternoon, Governor Schwarzenegger unveils the first major reform of his second term, a $10 billion dollar plan to fix the state's prisons. The move aims to please both Republicans and Democrats, who have put forth different demands for the crumbling system, some of which is already in the hands of the federal government.
The Actress Invisible: Behind-the-scenes
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As actresses turn 40 they often find themselves "pink-slipped" - no longer considered appealing to the 18-49 demographic so often used by broadcast and movie executives as a target audience. Even young actresses have a hard time finding roles with substance rather than sex. We look behind the scenes with industry insiders - a casting director, producers and an industry watcher.
- Susan Seidelman, independent film director, based in New York
- Liz Ortiz Mackes, owner of Casting Solutions in New York
- Larry Gelbart, writer in film and television, including the screenplay for Tootsie and 97 episodes of the ground-breaking television series, MASH
The Actress Invisible, Cont.
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As actresses turn 40 they often find themselves "pink-slipped" - no longer considered appealing to the 18-49 demographic so often used by broadcast and movie executives as a target audience. Even young actresses have a hard time finding roles with substance rather than sex. We look behind the scenes with working actresses.
- Sally Kellerman, actress and singer, famous for her role as Hot Lips Houlihan in Robert Altman's film MASH
- Katherine Joosten, actress who played Mrs. Dolores Landingham in WestWing and is now featured on Desperate Housewives
- Mimi Kennedy, actress, known as Dharma's mother Abby, on long-running sitcom Dharma and Greg, and she recently starred in the Los Angeles premiere of the new play, Leipzig
Friday, Dec. 22
Political Fallout for the Mayor
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Yesterday a judge overturned the law that would allowed mayor Villaraigosa to partially take control of the Los Angeles Unified School District. As a politician who is accustomed to getting his way, what will be the political fallout of this action on the mayor?
- Frank Stoltze, KPCC Reporter
AB 1381 Won't Become Law - But What Will?
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We've just heard about one law that won't take effect at year's beginning, but there is a slew of new state laws that do take effect on January 1. What's on the long list.
- Nancy Vogel, Reporter in the Sacramento bureau of the LA Times
Radical Innocent
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One hundred years ago, the seminal book The Jungle was published which revealed the horrific conditions of the meatpacking industry in Chicago. Its author, a 27-year old by the name of Upton Sinclair, became an overnight sensation and his novel would later influence legislation such as the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. While The Jungle is still widely read today, little is known about the life of Sinclair himself. Radical Innocent: Upton Sinclair (Random House), provides a comprehensive and intimate view of a man dedicated to social reform.
- Anthony Arthur, Author of Radical Innocent: Upton Sinclair (Random House)
Real Bearded Santa Society
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Many of us remember the moment we discovered Santa Claus wasn't real. For some it was when we saw dad eating the milk and cookies laid out especially for St. Nick. For others it was a tug on Santa's beard that revealed a bare-faced man underneath. But tug on the beard of Tim Connaghan and it isn't going anywhere. He is the executive director of the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas and has spent nearly 40 years making the magic of Christmas come alive for adults and children alike. Today he talks about the art and business of being Santa.
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