Patt Morrison for Friday, August 13, 2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Friday, August 13, 2010

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:19

OPEN

 

 

1:21 – 1:58:30

Boxer vs. Fiorina:  it comes down to the economy, stupid

There are plenty of background issues to what is shaping up to be an epic political battle for California’s Senate seat:  immigration, abortion, gay marriage and the environment are just some of the complex concerns that the two candidates could address from now until November.  But in the face of stubborn unemployment and economic stagnation, that have been acutely felt here in California, this election is due to come down one thing—the economy.  Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina have decidedly different approaches to economic improvement:  Boxer just helped to get a relief package for state public employees (teachers, firefighters, etc.) passed through Congress, while Fiorina labels that wasteful deficit spending.  Fiorina wants to extend all of the Bush-era tax cuts, touting their tremendous benefits for struggling small businesses, while Boxer calls that a payoff to the richest Americans.  The clash of economic philosophies will shape the campaign between Boxer & Fiorina—we take our first look at how both candidates hope to improve your financial wellbeing. 

 

Guest:

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California; Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works; Democratic candidate for California’s U.S. Senate seat

ON TAPE

 

Carly Fiorina, Republican candidate for California’s U.S. Senate seat; former CEO of Hewlett-Packard

ON TAPE

 

 

2:06 – 2:30

Anne Rice leaves the church

The author best known for her vampire novels made a splash last week when she announced via her Facebook page that she is apparently done with Christianity.  The intriguing aspect, besides her medium of choice—is Jesus still her friend?—is that Ms. Rice still believes in God, she is just done with organized religion.  Basing her decision on Christianity’s stances on gay marriage, woman’s rights, and what she describes as an “anti-science” and “anti-life” mentality.  So after 12 years as a devout Catholic, Anne Rice has decided that she would rather be spiritual than religious and that she could have a closer relationship with God by herself.

 

Guest:

Anne Rice, best-selling American author of gothic, erotic, and religious-themed books such as “Interview with the Vampire”

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2:30 – 2:58:30

Inside the complex minds of animals: they’re smarter than you think

As you talk to your dog or cat about your day (admit it – all pet owners do it), do you ever wonder what your pets understand?  How about when you point to them to sit down, why is it that they respond correctly?  Are animals smarter than we actually think?  In Time magazine’s recent cover story “Inside the Minds of Animals,” senior writer Jeffrey Kluger highlighted some revolutionary research that’s showing animals like great apes (bonobos, chimps and orangutans), dogs, and crows exhibit complex cognitive skills, skills that most humans thought were reserved to our own species.  Bonobos at the Great Ape Trust are fluent in symbolic language and can formulate clear sentences and thoughts.  But these new findings also expose the strained relationship between human and beast.  If animals have thoughts, consciousness and process information, does this completely change how we treat them?  And what do all these findings about animals mean about human evolution?  Kluger and researchers talk with Patt to answer these questions and more.

 

Guests:

Jeffrey Kluger, senior writer, TIME magazine; wrote the Aug. 16^th cover story “Inside the Minds of Animals”

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Brian Hare, Ph.D., researcher at the Duke Canine Cognition Center

CALL HIM:

 

UNCONFIRMED:

Dr. Sue Savage Rumbaugh, primatologist at the Great Ape Trust

 

 

 

Jonathan Serviss

Producer, Patt Morrison Program

Southern California Public Radio

NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles

89.3 KPCC-FM | 89.1 KUOR-FM | 90.3 KPCV-FM

626.583.5171, office

415.497.2131, mobile

jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org

www.scpr.org