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April 21 - 25, 2008
Monday, April 21
The Spin War
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The invasion of Iraq and the "War on Terror" are fought primarily with guns and bullets, but a simultaneous media blitz has been part of the Pentagon's strategy from the beginning. This, however, has led to some questionable ethics on the part of military "analysts," retired military officers who regularly appear on Fox, CNN and other networks to comment on military matters and the operation of the Guantanamo Bay detention center. The problem: many of these analysts are also employed by defense industry lobbyists. And some appear to have presented "analysis" that was given to them by the Pentagon itself. The issue was looked at as part of an extensive feature by David Barstow in this Sunday's New York Times. Patt talks to generals and our own analysts about a spin war that many think has gone too far.
Whole Food Sacks Plastic Bags
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European nations have long taxed or banned plastic grocery bags and the City of San Francisco voted to ban them last year. Now Whole Foods is taking the anti-plastic push a step further. It will use Earth Day to mark the end of plastic bags at its stores. Instead, it will encourage shoppers to use reusable bags and, as a second choice, bags made from recycled paper. How are customers responding? And will other grocery chains follow suit?
A Former Sect Member on the Current Child Custody Case
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Born into the Fundamental Latter Day Saints (FLDS), a polygamist Mormon sect based in Colorado City on the Arizona-Utah border, Carolyn Jessop was forced into an arranged marriage at the age of 18. Her husband, 38-year-old Merril Jessop, already had 3 wives. Over the next 15 years she had eight children with him. Choosing freedom over fear, she and her 8 children fled out of the home they shared with six other wives and 46 children with only $20 to her name. No woman in the country had ever escaped from the FLDS and managed to get her children out too. Since then, Jessop filed for and won sole custody of her 8 children, being the first woman ever to be granted custody in an FLDS case. Jessop joins Patt to talk about the largest child custody case in US history.
- Carolyn Jessop, author, Escape (Broadway Books)
"Kluge - The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind"
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Gary Marcus doesn't see the brain as the miraculous product of evolution or a supreme being. Rather he says, "think duct tape, not supercomputer." Kluge is by definition a clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem and an appropriate title for his new book, in which he draws on genetics, neuroscience and psychology to explain the propensities of the human brain for faulty memory, poor decision-making and fits of rage. Give yourself a break - your mind is just a kluge.
Tuesday, April 22
City and County Budgets Released
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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proposed a city budget yesterday that includes plans to raise fees, cut services and lose more than 700 jobs to help make up for a $406-million shortfall. Meanwhile, County Chief Executive Officer William T. Fujioka proposed a less austere budget but warned cuts will probably come in the future. Patt talks with KPCC reporters Frank Stoltze and Brian Watt about how the budgets will affect Los Angeles residents.
Women's Life Expectancy on the Decline
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Since the 1800's the life expectancy for women has been on the rise. But lately, things aren't looking as good for women. According to a recent study, the life expectancy for women has dropped about 5 years since the early 1980's in certain pockets of the US and across the globe. Low income areas appear to be the most affected, with an increase in lung cancer and diabetes being part of the cause. Patt finds out more about what is behind these slipping numbers.
Disney Nature Films- Then and Now
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No doubt motivated by the success of "March of the Penguins" and "Animal Planet," the Walt Disney Company has launched a new film production unit called Disney Nature to produce and distribute its own collection of nature documentaries. The first will be titled "Earth" and will be released on Earth Day of 2009. Disney has a rich history of its own in the nature film genre; "The Living Desert" won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 1953. But the studio didn't always have the purest methods for obtaining footage, and even manufactured the myth of suicidal lemmings for "White Wilderness" in 1958. Patt looks back at Disney's chequered past with the nature film.
- Randy Olson, USC marine biologist turned nature filmmaker
Antibiotics From Alligators?
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As the number of drug-resistant pathogens like the dreaded MRSA continues to increase, researchers have found a possible solution in a most unlikely place: the blood of the American alligator. Scientists speculate that the reptiles' harsh environment and propensity for eating sick and wounded animals favored the evolution of antimicrobial proteins in their bloodstreams. The next step is to isolate these compounds to see if they can be of use to us. Could one of nature's most fearsome killers turn out to be a life-saver?
Hey, Did You Hear? They're Voting in PA!
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In what was once a furious pace of several state primaries or caucuses, six weeks in between the Mississippi primary back in March and Pennsylvania's contest today leaves plenty of time for analysis ad nauseam. As the voters in the Keystone State mercilessly go to the polls we break down our first grasp at anything concrete-although just barely, in the form of exit polls-and attempt to take away some conclusions in a Democratic nomination process that will drag on for at least one more month.
Apes and Dolphins: More Alike Than They Seem
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Coming from very distant families- apes and dolphins do not outwardly appear to have much in common. Yet biologist Maddalena Bearzi and primatologist Craig B. Stanford have spent their careers exploring the likenesses between these two large brained mammals. In their book, "Bautiful Minds: The Parallel Lives of Great Apes and Dolphins," Bearzi and Stanford detail how these two creatures share the skills of complex communication and social interaction. Observing the capacity for emotion and cognitive similarities that dolphins and apes have-the authors teach us even more about our own homo sapien nature. With these amazing behavioral overlaps, this dual portrait is a key to understanding the nature of "beautiful minds."
- Biologist Maddalena Bearzi and Primatologist Craig B. Stanford, Authors of "Beautiful Minds: The Parallel Lives of Great Apes and Dolphins" (Harvard University Press, 2008)
Wednesday, April 23
What's Your Tipping Point?
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Economy swirling the drain? Dollar taking a nose dive? Oil prices higher than Einstein's IQ? Hey - how about we go on a spending spree? Americans are acting like we're in denial, still spending beyond our means even in the face of recession. What gives? Clearly not us. What will it take for Americans to put away their charge cards? What will it take for you change your spending habits?
Court says Customs can Search your Computer
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Imagine if the next time you return from a trip to Mexico or Canada, a customs official takes your computer and reads your files? They have the right to do that, according to a ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The case involved Michael Timothy Arnold, who, as a result, was convicted of possessing child pornography. Customs officials at LAX found the contraband on his computer disks after he returned from a trip to the Philippines. A district court ruled that the custom's officials had no basis to search the disks in the first place. But the Circuit Court overturned that ruling. What will that mean for the rest of us when we travel abroad? And what are the overall privacy implications?
Court says Customs can Search your Computer, Continued
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47,171 Foreclosures: Housing Crisis Continues
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The first three months of this year saw a record in housing foreclosures in California; four times more than last year. That means the pain of the housing crisis is mounting - with no end in sight. Patt checks in with a real estate expert and asks KPCC's listeners if they've received default notices and what they're doing about it.
- Peter Viles, senior producer for Real Estate at LATimes.com
Thursday, April 24
Santa Monica Bans Some Jet Aircraft
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The airport in Santa Monica has always been at odds with residents of the west-side city. Now the City is banning certain types of jets in an effort to curb noise. However, the Federal Aviation Administration says the ban itself is illegal. It's headed for the courts. Patt finds out what's next in this fight.
Dodger Blue Goes Green?
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A promenade, restaurants and a museum are among the new structures to be added to Dodger Stadium as part of a half-billion dollar renovation project unveiled today. The five-year plan means the Dodger's will be here to stay for the foreseeable future. The improvements to the stadium should be finished by 2012. The plan would also incorporate "green" building materials and energy--efficient light bulbs. Patt gets the story on the future of LA's baseball team.
Are Gadgets Getting too Smart?
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Okay. Admit it. There are probably about 20 or 30 features on your cell phone that you don't use and don't know how to use. As technology advances, cell phone, cameras, televisions, and music players are getting packed with features to make them more competitive--but are the features going to waste? And are our gadgets, at least in some ways, leaving us behind? Meanwhile, why is it that the feature you really need is always so hard to find? Patt asks KPCC listeners to auto-dial in...if they can find the right button.
- David Pogue, Technology Columnist for "The New York Times"
- Eric Savitz, West Coast Editor, blogger and technology investing columnist for "Barron's"
Sharing the Pain: Legislature, Governor to Get Pay Cuts?
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Across-the-board spending cuts are coming in this year's state budget, as we stare down tens of billions of dollars in deficits, but one element of spending rarely comes under close scrutiny. The salaries of Legislators, the Governor (although this governor draws no salary) and several other elected state officers has been on a slow, steady upward tick for the past few years in spite of chronic state debt. This year appears to be the end of that trend: The California Citizens Compensation Commission informally agreed that this was no time to raise pay for members of the Assembly and State Senate and is seeking the legal opinion on their authority to reduce salaries. True, this will only make an incremental dent in the budget deficit, but it will feel so good!
Justice Department Goes after Modern Mobsters
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Back in the day, the mob made its money through illegal gambling and protection rackets. Generally, they stayed out of legitimate businesses. But that's been changing lately, as organized crime is getting technologically smart and politically savvy. They are now involved in all sectors of the economy, including cigarettes, oil and pharmaceuticals. What does the new mob look like and how do you fight it?
- Jennifer Shasky: Senior consul to the Assistant Attorney General of the criminal division, Department of Justice
"Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian"
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How long has it been since you've been to a public library? With the internet at nearly everyone's fingertips--the library has become somewhat of an anomaly. Those that do attend know the public library makes for one of the greatest places to people watch. Scott Douglas witnesses the spectrum of absurdities that grace these literary houses on a daily basis. Patt talks to this public librarian about his new book which chronicles the experience of being a library insider.
Friday, April 25
ICE Workplace Raids Constitutional?
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Armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents went into a building in Van Nuys, blocked the exits, did not identify themselves and then held all employees — including those here legally — captive for 45 minutes. A civil rights attorney is now bringing a lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. citizens and permanent residents caught up in the raid. Attorney Peter Schey says ICE officials did not have individual probable cause; therefore treating innocent people like criminals is unconstitutional. ICE says the agents conducted the search by the book. Patt looks at how ICE agents conduct these raids and asks if they are legit.
Shark Kills Swimmer
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A shark killed a 66-year-old triathlete this morning as he swam 20 miles north of a San Diego beach. The shark, probably hunting for seals, attacked Dave Martin as he swam 150 yards offshore. Martin was swimming with nine others, but he was the only one attacked. The last fatal shark attack in California, according to data from the state Department of Fish and Game, took place in 2004.
- Dr. Christopher Lowe, Director of the Shark Lab at Cal State University, Long Beach
Sean Bell Reaction in NYC
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Three undercover detectives were acquitted in the death of Sean Bell and the shooting of two of his friends in November of 2006 outside a club in Jamaica, Queens. So far, New York's streets are reportedly calm, but not for a lack of outrage. Patt checks in with WNYC's Arun Venugopal, who was at the courthouse when the verdict was read.
Coachella Magic
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"There is a magical feel that you get out there," says festival founder Paul Tollett of the Coachella festival. This year's edition seemed to be lacking Coachella's typical buzz until Prince was announced two weeks ago as the Saturday headliner, immediately elevating the lineup that includes Jack Johnson, a reunited Portishead and Roger Waters among others. More than 150,000 fans are expected to converge in Indio for the 9th annual festival where over 125 bands will gather for three days of desert performances. KPCC reporter Steven Cuevas is there. He checks in with Patt before gettin' his groove on.
In Times Like These, Thank Goodness for the FDIC
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It's a connection that bank customers normally don't ponder as they're making their deposits into checking and savings accounts, but the subprime mortgage mess might have put their hard-earned funds at risk. After huge national banks like Bank of America announced billions of dollars in losses, chiefly due to bad mortgage investments, a string of smaller regional banks, including a few in Southern California, also face the grim possibility of failure. Banks of all sizes find themselves in troubled times because of exposure to lousy loans and increased foreclosures, highlighting the importance of the protection afforded by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The FDIC Chairman, who happens to be a woman, has called for government assistance to embattled homeowners and better regulations. How can the FDIC protect you?
- Sheila Bair, Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Exploring the "Windy City" with Scott Simon
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After covering eight wars spanning from Afghanistan to Cuba, it's no wonder that reporter Scott Simon has chosen to escape reality and delve into writing fiction. In his second novel, "Windy City," Simon humorously captures the diverse political life within a big metropolis. When the mayor of Chicago is found dead in his office, the less enthused vice-mayor, Sundarian "Sunny" Roopini, is put in the spotlight to help a city through this time of crisis. However, the task of interim mayor finds the City Hall corridors more deceitful and crooked than expected. Scott Simon talks about the exploration of urban politics through his newest novel.
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