Patt Morrison, Thurs, 12/4

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 4, 2008

1-3 p.m.

1:06 – 1:30

OPEN

 

1:30 – 1:39

It’s Pardon Season

Toward the end of any presidency, jockeying for (and speculation about) possible pardons reaches a fever pitch. The closing days of Bush 43 are no different: the president (who has been relatively stingy with his pardons thus far) issued 14 pardons in late November, but none involved the sort of prominent names expected to emerge as January 20^th draws closer. Pardon handicappers seem to like Scooter Libby’s and Michael Milken’s chances for clemency, while Jack Abramoff and Barry Bonds look like long shots. What are the political calculations that go into a president’s decision to issue a pardon, what does the process involve, and who are some other possible candidates for George W. Bush’s favor? Patt talks to an expert on presidential pardons to find out more.

 

Guests:

P.S. Ruckman Jr, Editor of the “Pardon Power” blog and author of the forthcoming book Pardon Me, Mr. President--Adventures in Crime, Politics and Mercy

 

1:41 – 1:58:30

CON'T

 

 

2:06 – 2:19

"Imagine No Religion" Billboard:

The Freedom from Religion Foundation is suing Rancho Cucamonga for the city's role in removing a billboard with the message “Imagine No Religion.”  The billboard company pulled the sign after the city asked if there was a way to get it removed.  Rancho Cucamonga's redevelopment director says the city had received 90 complaints about the billboard. Okay. But there are billboards throughout American promoting religion. Is this a double standard? And what Constitutional issues are involved? Patt talks to both side in the dispute and asks KPCCs listeners what they think.

 

Guests:

TBA

 

[BREAK]

 

2:21 – 2:30

CONT'D

 

 

2:30 – 2:39

Autophobia: Love and Hate in the Automotive Age

The Big Three are begging for a bailout, public transportation riderships are exceeding capacities, there’s precious little money to repair America’s once-unsurpassed road system, and more young people are forgoing the adolescent ritual of getting a driver’s license. People have been predicting the death of the car almost since its invention, but despite motorization and its discontents, historian Brian Ladd thinks our century-long love affair with the car is here to stay, as tumultuous as that love may sometimes be. In his new book, Autophobia, Ladd explores how freedom on four wheels has changed our lives and what that torrid relationship says about us.

 

Guests:

Brian Ladd, author of Autophobia

 

2:41 – 2:58:30

Autophobia (Cont’d.)

 

Roger Rudick

Producer, KPCC News

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Phone: 626-585-3281

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