|
March 31 - April 4, 2003
Monday, March 31
Syria Update
(Listen)
It's been rumored that Iraq is storing their weapons of mass destruction across the border in Syria. On Friday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that US officials have information that shipments of military supplies have been crossing the border from Syria into Iraq (although Syria denies the allegation). What is the word on the street in Syria regarding these two claims? Kitty talks about IraqÕs neighbor with Nick Blanford, Christian Science Monitor reporter, covering Syria.
Jordan
(Listen)
Kitty Felde takes a look at the reverse refugee phenomenon originating in Jordan where about 4,330 Iraqis have left to return home in the last ten days. Meanwhile, protective zones are being created in anticipation of a flow of refugees leaving Iraq. Host Kitty Felde speaks with CBC correspondent in Amman, Don Murray.
Sacramento UpdateŃDan Walters
(Listen)
Kitty talks with Sacramento Bee political columnist Dan Walters about the state of the staggering California budget deficit.
The Ancient History of Iraq
(Listen)
Home of the Garden of Eden and the first urban civilizations, Iraq boasts a rich history. In the first of a series on Iraq, host Kitty Felde speaks with University of ChicagoÕs Oriental Institute Professor McGuire Gibson, about the ancient history of Mesopotamia from the Sumerians to the start of World War I.
Tuesday, April 1
Afghanistan: Humanitarian and Military Update
(Listen)
War maneuvers in Iraq have distracted the world, and the media, from the continuing, and one might argue mounting, war against terrorism in Afghanistan. Monday a rocket slammed into the headquarters of the international peacekeeping force in central Kabul, just hours after American military officials announced that they would expand operations in response to a sharp increase in Taliban activity in southern Afghanistan.
Kitty also checks in with the local Afghan community and several Southern Californians active in Afghan relief efforts.
Islamic Relief 888-479-4968
Radio Payame Afghan 106.3FM
Offshore Oil Drilling
(Listen)
Proposed developments for oil drilling off the coast of central California were all but stopped today when the Bush administration dropped its challenge to a court ruling halting oil and natural gas exploration in the region. California has been against the extended exploration, and the latest news has been called a coup for states rights - giving California the right to determine whether offshore drilling in federal waters is consistent with state environmental laws. Still an issue, though, is the fate of the existing 36 oil leases Š will the administration buy them back, or will California have to bear some of the cost?
The History of Iraq from WWI to the Iran/Iraq War
(Listen)
Host Kitty Felde continues with the second installment of Talk of the CityÕs series on Iraq. In todayÕs discussion, Kitty Felde explores the history of Iraq from World War I to the Iran/Iraq war with University of ChicagoÕs Oriental Institute Professor McGuire Gibson.
Wednesday, April 2
National Missile Defense
(Listen)
The controversial long-time critic of current missile defense technology and MIT Professor of Science, Technology, and National Security Policy, Theodore Postol, joins host Kitty Felde in studio to talk about national missile defense strategy, why he feels it will fail, and his ideas for building a better system. She will also speak with former Director of Operation Testing in the Pentagon, Phil Coyle.
Theodore Postol will be speaking tonight at CaltechÕs Ramo Auditorium at 8:00PM. The event is free and open to the public.
BlairÕs War
(Listen)
Kitty talks to the executive producer of the upcoming FRONTLINE program, BlairÕs War. The special, airing tomorrow night, tells the story of the road to war with Iraq from the perspective of British Prime Minister Tony Blair. It delves into his tight relationship with President George W Bush and recounts BlairÕs effort to smooth tensions between the US and its European allies, particularly France and Germany, over going to war.
BlairÕs War airs Thursday, April 3, at 9 P.M. on local PBS station KCET.
Early Release for LA Jail Inmates
(Listen)
Despite harsh criticism, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is going ahead with a program to relocate a total of 26-hundred low-level offenders to save 17 million dollars. Under the program, most offenders must return home and have a job as a condition of release. Critics, including the LAPD Chief William Bratton and Mayor Hahn, have warned that the program would send the wrong message of a lenient justice system. Kitty speaks with the head of the LA Sheriffs Correctional Services division, Chief Chuck Jackson.
The Bible in Iraq
(Listen)
The Garden of Eden, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel have direct parallels in the literature of Mesopotamia. Los Angeles Times book columnist and author Jonathan Kirsch joins Kitty Felde to talk about what role ancient Iraq plays in the Bible.
Thursday, April 3
David Sanders
(Listen)
David Sanders of Minnesota has been in the top job at LA CountyÕs troubled foster care agency for all of one week. Sanders, a psychologist by training, is credited with revolutionizing the way Hennepin County handles its child welfare and adult services over then last 10 years. Kitty asks him about his plans for refocusing the agency's focus on family unity.
Online Commentary on RumsfeldÕs War Plan
(Listen)
Weblogs or online commentaries have become the new media tool for voicing opinion on the war in Iraq. Mickey Kaus of the online magazine Slate and Josh Marshall of talkingpointsmemo.com join Kitty to talk about their web-based commentaries on the war, in particular their most recent analysis of Defense Secretary Donald RumsfeldÕs war plan and concern over a limited number of ground troops in Iraq.
History of US / Iraq Relations
(Listen)
It wasnÕt until the seminal Arab oil embargo of 1973 that Iraq moved to the fore of American foreign interests. Kitty traces the often conflicting allegiances of American presidents, from ReaganÕs alliance with Iraq during the IranŠIraq war through the first and now the second Gulf war. KittyÕs guest is Richard Dekmejian, Ph.D., a professor of political science at University of Southern California.
Friday, April 4
Postal Reform
(Listen)
Today, the PresidentÕs Commission on the United States Postal Service is holding a field hearing in Los Angeles to solicit views for its recommendations on changes to the postal system due on July 31. The commission is holding hearings across the nation to talk about potential changes such as commercializing they way Americans get their mail which could mean the end of universal service and uniform postal rates. Kitty speaks with KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze; President of Stamps.com, Ken McBride; and, Director of Public Policy for the Consumer Alliance for Postal Services, Don Goldberg.
29 Palms Update
(Listen)
Gary Daigneault, the program and news director for KCDZ in 29 Palms, speaks with Kitty Felde about how the military town is doing with so many of its residents deployed in the Middle East.
KPCC Book Club of the Air for Young Adults: The Tiger Rising
(Listen)
Kitty is joined in studio by a trio of students from Emerson Parkside Academy School in Long Beach to discuss Kate DicamilloÕs The Tiger Rising for this monthÕs Book Club of the Air for Young Adults.
|
