PM for Friday 8/8/08

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Friday, August 8, 2008

1:00 – 1:20
OPEN

1:20 – 2:00
Attack of the Anthrax Attack Conspiracy Theories
There is perhaps no other criminal mystery more tailor-made for conspiracy theories than the anthrax letter attacks of 2001.  The suspicious death of lead suspect Bruce Ivins, a Fort Detrick anthrax researcher who committed suicide last week, only added fuel to the conspiracy fires that have been burning for seven years.  Because the letters were delivered just days after the 9/11 attacks, swirling in political suspicions about the motives of the Bush Administration, there is no shortage of complicated theories and suspected bad guys.  From large drug companies to the FBI itself, no one escapes the anthrax skeptics.  Did we get our guy in the crazy Dr. Ivins, or is there an even more nefarious plot behind the deadly letters?

Guests:
Richard M. Smith, computer security consultant and creator of the anthrax investigation website, ComputerBytesMan.com

• Smith did his own research on the zip codes used by the anthrax attacker as a means to track down his location—he was one of the first to note that the attacker must have a familiarity with the Princeton, New Jersey area, which has been suggested in Bruce Ivins obsession with a Princeton sorority.
• Smith has maintained a website titled “The Anthrax Conspiracy Theories Page” that includes links to the work of fellow detectives (for web:  http://www.computerbytesman.com/anthrax/conspiracy.htm)

Glenn Greenwald, constitutional law litigator, writer for Salon.com and author of “Great American Hypocrites:  Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics”

• Greenwald was all over the anthrax case from the beginning, and has been particularly critical of ABC News for running several stories right after the attacks that linked the anthrax letters to Iraq.
• He is very, very doubtful that the FBI found its man in Bruce Ivins:  “Given everything that has happened over the last seven years -- not just with the anthrax attacks but with countless episodes of Government deceit and corruption -- it's astonishing (and more than a little disturbing) how many people are willing, even eager, to assume that the Government's accusations against Ivins are accurate even without seeing a shred of evidence to support those claims.”

2:00 – 2:20
Veepstakes ’08: The Case for Senator Sam Nunn
A Christian conservative?  Someone with experience in U.S. foreign policy?  A woman?  Even with the contenders for the top spot in the White House already set, the guessing game and fuss over the potential vice presidential candidates seem just as intense.  After all, the stakes are high for the VP pick for both Senators McCain and Obama.  The selection could help a candidate win over a swing state or even attract a whole subset of voters.  We continue an on-going series taking a look at each of the potential VP picks for both candidates – and handicap how they could help (or hurt) their party’s ticket.  Next, former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn.

Guests:
Jim Galloway, political columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mark Fabiani, Democratic political strategist.
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2:20 – 2:30
OPEN

2:30 – 3:00
The Shorts Have It!
Who wears short shorts?! Well, to answer that question… businessmen, lawyers, and Vogue magazine employees.  The country club bare ankles look has made its way all the way up the male leg and into the workplace, as more and more businesses accept shorts on men in the office. Some, however, aren’t so keen on changing their dress code just yet, stating reasons from professional etiquette to hygiene.  So, before you decide to stroll into work in your cut-offs, make sure your boss doesn’t have a short temper.

Guests:
Michael Macko, Fashion Director for DETAILS Magazine

Dave Newbold, President and Creative Director of Richter7, an ad agency in Salt Lake City that instituted a “no long-pants allowed” policy for the summer.

NOT CONFIRMED:
Menswear retailer or designer:  TBD