Patt Morrison schedule for Thursday, December 1, 2011

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 1, 2011

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

 

1:00 – 1:30

OPEN

 

1:30 – 2:00

Mike Allen and Evan Thomas with the inside scoop on the 2012 presidential campaign

Most of Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign staff disowned him after he took time off from his political ambitions to cruise the Greek Isles with his wife; Gingrich would later refer to the subsequent fallout as the “two hardest months in my life.” Revealing intimate details of headline stories like Gingrich’s is the purpose of a new series of e-books, called the “Politico Playbook 2012” series, being co-authored by prominent Politico writer Mike Allen and author Evan Thomas. The collection will consist of four digital books about the 2012 presidential election published exclusively in electronic form by Random House Publishing Group. The first installment, titled “The Right Fights Back,” chronicles the Republican Party’s struggle to define itself going into the 2012 election. Allen and Thomas provide in-depth analysis of the key power-players and sometimes-scandalous events that are influencing the race for the White House. What do you think of the scandals and gaffes associated with politicians such as Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, and Herman Cain? Do these proceedings have any affect at all on the reputation of the Republican Party?

 

PATT:  The first eBook in POLITICO’s election series, “PLAYBOOK 2012: THE RIGHT FIGHTS BACK,” went on sale yesterday.

 

Guests:

Mike Allen, chief White House correspondent for POLITICO

 

Evan Thomas, author of six books, including “Sea of Thunder,” about the war in the Pacific, and “The War Lovers,”  which chronicles the call to war following the mysterious explosion of the USS Maine in the Havana Harbor in 1898.

 

2:00 – 2:30

Should schools, cities and landmarks be selling ad space?

Some cities and schools suffering in the economic downturn have turned to advertising as a means to shore up their ailing budgets. Cash-strapped Chicago draped seven banner ads for Bank of America on the Wabash Avenue Bridge in an attempt to make up some of the city’s $600 million budget shortfall and is seeking to raise $25 million in advertisements on public property. Bank of America paid $4,500 to have the signs placed on the bridge. Blair Kamin of the Chicago Tribune called the ads “a visual crime,” but an editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times said it was a better alternative than going bust. In Colorado, report cards for Jefferson County Public Schools’ students now feature ads from CollegeInvest, a college savings program. In the suburbs of Salt Lake City efforts are underway to place ads on school buses. But these tactics aren’t unique to the U.S.; Italian cities such as Rome and Venice have sought private funds for public projects. The restoration of Rome’s Coliseum is being funded by a $34 million pledge from Tod’s, an Italian luxury group. Will dire economic times and political posturing force more states and cities to adopt this form of revenue raising? What about in Los Angeles? Which sites do you think are off limits? Which sites would be acceptable?

 

Guests:

AN AD GUY WHO DOESN'T GET THE ADS

Tim Terchek, (Tur-check), executive director of the Drucker Group ad firm

CALL HIM

• "I have made my living in advertising, but there has to be better ways to raise money." 
• "The bridge ads could backfire if public disgust sticks to the bank."

 

HE WILL DISCUSS ADS IN SCHOOL

Robert Weissman, president, Public Citizen

CALL HIM

 

2:30 – 2:40

OPEN

 

2:40 – 3:00

What’s the difference between a migraine and a headache?

It’s estimated that 18-24 percent of women and 6-to-9 percent of men in North America suffer from the chronic neurological disorder of migraines. Now UCLA has created the first-ever chair for headache research to study migraines and other pains between the ears. The inaugural chair holder, Dr. Andrew Charles, says the worldwide social and economic costs of the disorder are “staggering.” By studying patterns of brain-cell communication involved in migraines, his lab has identified multiple potential treatment approaches. Ever wondered what the difference is between a headache and a migraine? Or why migraines are usually only felt on one side of your head? Dr. Charles joins Patt to talk about the latest research and answer your questions about the ailment.

 

Guests:

Andrew Charles, inaugural holder of the Luskin Chair in Migraine and Headache Studies at UCLA; he’s a professor of neurology and director of UCLA's Headache Research and Treatment Program

CALL HIM:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patt Morrison schedule for Wednesday, Novemebr 30, 2011

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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 – 1:30: OPEN

 

1:30 – 1:58:30

Political campaigns go mobile… literally

If you were at the Minnesota State Fair last year and had your smart phone or digital tablet with you as you were waiting in line to buy food, you probably saw a digital advertisement from Michele Bachmann’s congressional campaign informing you of her opponent’s intension to raise taxes on the snacks and beverages you were about to purchase. Ads such as Bachman’s, known as geo-targeted mobile ads, are the newest high-tech trend in multi-media campaign marketing. This new media format is well-suited for political campaigns because it can be used to target consumers in a very specific geographic location, such as the two-mile radius of the Minnesota state fairgrounds, and it is relatively inexpensive compared to traditional forms of advertising. As the number of regular mobile digital device users increases, mobile advertising is expected to become more widely used. How do you feel about political candidates sending targeted ads to your mobile device? How much does this type of advertising infringe on citizens’ privacy? How should geo-targeted mobile ads be restricted, if at all?

 

Guests:

Vincent Harris, CEO of Harris Media, a digital advertising agency that works with conservatives

 

Rob Saliterman, oversees Google’s political advertising on the Republican side

 

 

2:06 – 2:39

High fees and high fares in the…‘friendly skies’
Everyone shoving that last pair of socks into their carry-on bag during the busy holiday travel season will probably be relieved to hear that they are not alone in their struggle to limit themselves to that single solitary piece of carry-on luggage. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) of Louisiana has recently proposed legislation that would allow airline passengers to check one bag for free on each flight. “Passengers have been nickeled-and-dimed for far too long, and something has to be done about it,” she said. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano added that mandating one free checked bag would also cut down on baggage screening costs by $260 million a year. Representatives of the airlines oppose Landrieu’s bill, which has been sent to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for a hearing, and consider such government regulation of commercial services inappropriate. How appropriate is it for the government to regulate the details of commercial airline services, especially during a time when the airlines are pinching every penny they can to survive? How much does paying to check luggage hamper your travel experience?

 

Guests:

Brandon Macsata, executive director, Association for Airline Passenger Rights

• He has called on the airlines offer a “temporary cessation of baggage fees during the holidays.”

 

Charlie Leocha, director Consumer Travel Alliance

 

 

2:41:30 – 2:58:30

What’s the difference between a migraine and a headache?

It’s estimated that 18-24 percent of women and 6-to-9 percent of men in North America suffer from the chronic neurological disorder of migraines. Now UCLA has created the first-ever chair for headache research to study migraines and other pains between the ears. The inaugural chair holder, Dr. Andrew Charles, says the worldwide social and economic costs of the disorder are “staggering.” By studying patterns of brain-cell communication involved in migraines, his lab has identified multiple potential treatment approaches. Ever wondered what the difference is between a headache and a migraine? Or why migraines are usually only felt on one side of your head? Dr. Charles joins Patt to talk about the latest research and answer your questions about the ailment.

 

Guests:

NOT CONFIRMED:

Andrew Charles, inaugural holder of the Luskin Chair in Migraine and Headache Studies at UCLA; he’s a professor of neurology and director of UCLA's Headache Research and Treatment Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Osen

Southern California Public Radio - 89.3 KPCC

626-583-5173 / 626-483-5278

losen@scpr.org @Patt_Morrison

 

RE: Patt Morrison for Tuesday, November 29, 2011

 

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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 –1:39 OPEN

 

1:41:30 – 1:58:30

Obama’s proposal to ban lobbyist gift-giving faces fierce opposition from business Due to the Obama administration’s recent proposal to strictly prohibit gifts and perks given to any executive branch employee by special interest groups, businesses and trade associations are unhappily faced with potentially losing their most powerful lobbying method while coping with one of the most adverse economic climates in U.S. history. “It’s a slap in the face of business from an administration that says it wants to work with industry to create more jobs,” said John Graham, president and CEO of the American Society of Association Executives, which represents about 23,000 trade-group executives. Graham, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and more than 450 additional groups are fiercely campaigning against the proposed restrictions. The White House’s proposed ban on gift-giving comes at the same time the administration is cutting back on federal employee business travel expenses, which would hinder government officials’ attendance of conferences and trade shows even more. Where should the government draw the line on private influence of public servants? How important is federal employee attendance at trade shows and private business conferences? Is the Obama administration sending mixed messages by restricting trade lobbyists while trying to strengthen the economy?

Guest:

IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL

Blair Bowie, democracy advocate, USPIRG; She sent a letter, along with four other watchdog groups, to the Office of Government Ethics in support of the proposed gift rules as well as suggestions for how to make them stronger.

 

AGAINST THE PROPOSAL

John Graham, president and CEO, American Society of Association Executives, which represents about 23,000 trade-group executives

 

UNCONFIRMED

Joe McInerney, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association

 

 

2:06 – 2:30

Anxiety: Friend or Foe?

We often hear about the anxiety-riddled type-A personality, but is there a good side of anxiety? Can it make us more creative, more accomplished? New research looking at people who routinely experience anxiety—like firefighters, performers, surgeons, and elite athletes—shows anxiety may serve as a productive motivator. Maybe Bobby McFerrin was wrong when he sang those famous words: “don’t worry, be happy.” It seems that the secret to beating anxiety is by learning how to stay calm—a feat that’s easier said than done. How has anxiety affected your life? Do you have stories about how anxiety has had a positive impact on you or helped you in a situation?

 

Guest:

Alice Park, staff writer, TIME and author of the cover story “The Two Faces of Anxiety”

 

2:30 – 2:39

Lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and melanoma cancers combined. Do we have your attention?
Did you know that November is Lung Cancer Awareness month? If not, it may have been overshadowed in your mind by the Movember movement for prostate cancer awareness, which also falls in the month of November. According to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and melanoma cancers combined. And yet lung cancer remains one of the most underfunded and under-researched of all the cancers. Those who have or treat lung cancer also attest to a stigma that’s unique to the disease, a stigma that blames the victims.  Contrary to popular belief, statistics from the LCFA estimate that 60% of new lung cancer diagnoses will be in non-smokers. So what’s causing the disease and why is it so misunderstood?

 

Guests:

Dr. Michael Weitz, ER physician at St. John’s Hospital, a husband, father of three sons, who was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in his mid 40’s, and never smoked a day in his life

 

Kim Norris, entered the world of lung cancer when Roy, her 45 year old husband, was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 1997

IN-STUDIO

 

2:41:30 – 2:58:30

“V is for Vengeance” - a dish best served in Sue Grafton’s new novel

After a convicted shoplifter takes a fatal plunge from a bridge in 1988, private investigator Kinsey Millhone is hired to look into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy. This is the premise of award-winning author Sue Grafton’s new murder mystery novel “V is for Vengeance.” The recently published book is the twenty-second installment in Grafton’s popular ‘alphabet series’ that follows the investigations conducted by fictional female private detective Millhone. In “V is for Vengeance,” Grafton explores the seedy realms of shoplifting, police corruption, organized crime, and, of course, vengeance. Grafton has said she is not bothered by the idea of holding onto a grudge, but when is true vengeance morally justifiable?  What do you think of Grafton’s protagonist, Millhone, who states, “For the record I’d like to say I’m a big fan of forgiveness as long as I’m given the opportunity to get even first”?

 

Guests:

Sue Grafton, author of the “alphabet series” mysteries, featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone

IN STUDIO

 

 

 

 

 

Patt Morrison for Monday, November 28, 2011

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Monday, November 28, 2011

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 – 1:30: OPEN

 

1:30 – 1:58: Against Thrift: Why Consumer Culture is Good for the Economy, the Environment, and Your Soul

Americans who bought stuff like crazy in the ‘90s began to swear off spending in the great recession, discovering that less stuff can mean more life. Now there’s an author arguing that spending is just as good as saving. In his new consumer polemic, historian James Livingston argues that the way to promote economic growth is to up our consumer spending. He also takes aim at that “moralistic” belief that Americans should spend less and save more—that attitude, he argues, will only prolong our current economic pain. According to Livingston, it’s consumer spending—not jobs—that will restart our country’s economic engine. Were you a spender or a saver on Black Friday? What about today, any Cyber Monday deals enticing you to spend? Do you agree with Livingston? Do you think your spending or saving is helping or hurting the economy?

 

Guest: James Livingston, professor of History at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and author of Against Thrift: Why Consumer Culture Is Good for the Economy, the Environment, and Your Soul

 

2:06 – 2:30: No license, no car? LA considers changing 30-day impound on cars of unlicensed drivers

No license, no car—that policy, which activists have long complained unfairly punishes illegal immigrants who cannot get driver’s licenses, may be about to change. Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Police Department began allowing unlicensed drivers at sobriety checkpoints a free pass from having their car towed and impounded if a licensed driver was available to take it. Since then, Mayor Villaraigosa has been developing a new policy with the LAPD that would expand that change to include traffic stops and reduce the number of 30-day impounds, which can cost hundreds of dollars in fees. The police union says the new policy “puts politics above public safety” and “will result in innocent people being injured and killed,” but activists maintain that the current situation continues to unfairly punish illegal immigrants. Are these fees unfairly punitive, do they target illegal immigrant drivers, or do they serve a purpose in keeping unlicensed drivers off the road?

 

Guest:

Paul Weber, president, Police Protective League

 

NOT CONFIRMED:

TBA, Los Angeles Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild

 

NOT CONFIRMED:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

 

 

2:30 – 2:39: Former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton leads UC Davis pepper spray inquiry

Patt checks in with former LAPD chief Bill Bratton, who’s been tapped by the University of California to lead an official inquiry into the use of pepper spray by UC Davis police on passive student protesters. UC Davis chancellor Linda Katehi and Assembly Speaker John Perez reportedly urged the creation of an outside panel; Speaker Perez has also scheduled a December 14 hearing to look into UC police handling of student protests. With a wealth of experience to draw from, Bratton has already drawn parallels with this incident to the report into the LAPD's 2007 May Day melee at MacArthur Park, saying "I am looking for a similar report that will give a truthful and objective, candid account of the events" at Davis.

 

Guest: Bill Bratton, former Los Angeles Police Chief

 

2:41:30 – 2:58:30: America the Vulnerable: are we just one, big porous and penetrable network?

“Rabid” and “relentless” are just two of the adjectives that Joel Brenner uses to describe the daily attacks on intellectual property produced in the United States. According to Brenner, a former senior counsel at the National Security Agency, the leakage of personal information that occurs online is nothing but “a sideshow” compared the “the systematic theft” of marketable ideas, which are usually expensive to produce, and stolen and used for free by other governments and individuals from around the world. Brenner specifically points to Russia, China and Iran, though his overall point is that because all of us in the U.S.—“citizens, corporations, the military, and the government—live on the same porous networks, personal secrets corporate secrets and national secrets are all up for grabs.” Brenner’s language is dire, but it matches his message: the U.S. government continues to be uncoordinated and resource-poor when it comes to these attacks, and even the officials invested in setting up protections are beginning to feel like Sisyphus rolling his stone uphill.  Do you share Brenner’s concern and do you see any effects of this poaching in your day-to-day life?  Do we need to quickly clamp down on what information is available and to whom? 

 

Guests:

Joel Brenner, a former senior counsel at the National Security Agency and author of America the Vulnerable: Inside the New Threat Matrix of Digital Espionage, Crime, and Warfare

 

 

 

Lauren Osen

Southern California Public Radio - 89.3 KPCC

626-583-5173 / 626-483-5278

losen@scpr.org @Patt_Morrison

 

Patt Morrison for Friday, November 25, 2011 - HOLIDAY -SHOW ON TAPE

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Friday, November 25, 2011

1-3 p.m.

DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING – HOLIDAY – SHOW ON TAPE

 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

“PROGRAM ON TAPE – PLEASE DO NOT CALL”

 

1:00 – 1:40

Live from the 2011 AltCar Expo: What’s holding back green cars?

Development of alternative fuel vehicles in the last several years has been spurred in large part by the federal government—through tax credits and exemptions, grants, and mandatory renewable fuel standards. In California, the goal of AB 32 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 means more cars and buses will run on alternative fuel. It potentially means more options for car buyers, too, less dependence on volatile gas prices and fewer air pollutants. But that’s all contingent on whether technology and consumer demand work together, and whether infrastructure can be updated to support those cars. The power grid’s in a sorry state. You don’t see hydrogen fuel stations on every corner. And how well do plug-and-play electrics really work? After green energy scandals like Solyndra, who is going to foot the bill for these upgrades and invest in green technology? Live from the 2011 AltCar Expo in Santa Monica, Patt surveys the newest hybrids, electrics, fuel cells and considers what obstacles sustainable infrastructure must overcome. Whether you’re in the market for an altcar, or just concerned about the future of gas prices and traffic in Los Angeles, tune in and call up with questions.

 

Guests:

Rick Teebay, fleet and transportation specialist, Los Angeles County Office of Sustainability

 

Peter Ward, department head of Alternative Fuels and Vehicles, California Energy Commission

 

Enid Joffe, president, Clean Fuel Connection, one of the companies installing electric vehicle chargers and natural gas fueling stations across the region; formerly with Edison

 

1:40:00 – 2:00

Live from the 2011 AltCar Expo: Beyond cars, how public transportation and biking could transform Southern California

Beyond cars, what will the future public transportation and bike landscape of Southern California look like? In November 2008, California voters approved Measure R, committing a projected $40 billion to traffic relief and transportation upgrades throughout the county over the next 30 years. The Expo light rail line, the Crenshaw-LAX light rail line and Gold line extensions to Azusa have all broken ground under this measure, which is expected to greatly improve connectivity across the region and increase ridership. There are currently 1.4 million passengers boarding bus and rail throughout the county—rail accounts for 300,000 of those boardings. That ridership is expected to double by the time Measure R projects are completed. In addition, what will be the future of biking in the region? What’s been the impact of events like CicLAvia?

 

Guests:

Richard Katz, director for METRO and board chair for Metrolink

 

Claire Bowin, city planner with the Los Angeles City Planning Department

 

 

2:00 – 2:40

Afterschool sessions with LAUSD Superintendent Deasy

It’s been a busy month for LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy. Groups of education advocates have taken out full page ads and even threatened to sue the school district, amid contentious negotiations with the United Teachers Los Angeles over tying student achievement with teacher performance. The lawsuit would require teacher evaluations to be linked to student performance under the Stull Act, a law that was passed in 1971. Meanwhile a group called Don’t Hold Us Back is demanding the district and the teachers union hammer out reforms that UTLA has opposed in the past. How have the actions of such groups affected contract negotiations with UTLA? And state officials say meeting federal requirements to obtain a waiver from No Child Left Behind law would cost California at least $2 billion, but many school districts say the waiver would actually save money. Does LAUSD endorse seeking a waiver, and if so, why? And finally, a report from several education think tanks and UC Berkeley finds students in elementary school are not receiving quality science classes. How is LAUSD addressing this issue? As part of our ongoing series Superintendent Deasy will be here to answer your questions and ours.

 

Guest:

LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy

 

2:40 – 3:00

Folk icon Judy Collins with her new children’s book, “When You Wish Upon a Star”  

You can hear folksinger Judy Collins captivate dreamers worldwide with the original version along with other enchanting tracks in her latest project, “When you wish upon a star.” In this children’s book, Collins teams up with illustrator Eric Puyabaret to bring together dreamy illustrations and harmonious melodies. For almost 50 years, Collins has been performing on stage, collaborating with Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and even Rufus Wainwright. Today she joins Patt in studio to talk about her new children’s book and her new album, “Bohemian.” 

 

Guest:

Judy Collins

 

 

 

Patt Morrison for Thursday, November 24, 2011 - THANKSGIVING DAY - SHOW ON TAPE

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 24, 2011

1-3 p.m.

THANKSGIVING DAY- SHOW ON TAPE

 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 “PROGRAM ON TAPE – PLEASE DO NOT CALL”

 

1:00 – 1:30

Cookbooks vs. cooking apps: which side are you on?

When e-books first came out, we worried if actual books would go away. They survived. Can the same be said for cookbooks? This holiday season, try whipping out your tablet – not that dusty cookbook – for inspiration and direction in the kitchen.  On the market already are hundreds of cooking apps designed for novice bakers and serious chefs alike.  From last minute meal ideas to ancillary apps for substitution tips, cooking apps are designed for every chief in mind. Even the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, will be offering their instructional app on tablets for their incoming class. While cooking apps offer instant kitchen solutions with the touch of a button, there is something to be said about physical cookbooks, the ones where on which you can accidently spill or scribble in the margins. The Betty Crocker Cookbook is just one such vintage cookbook passed on from generation to generation. It was first published in 1950, but its latest edition features updates to recipes, new chapters for the modern cook and web-exclusive how-to videos and recipes. Are you a cooking app convert?  What are some of your favorite classic cookbooks? Do they need a makeover, or do you like them in their vintage form?

 

Guests:

Kristen Olson, food editor in the Better Crocker Test Kitchens; host of Kitchen Counter Intelligence, a how-to cooking series on BettyCrocker.com.; hobby beekeeper, vegetable gardener and kitchen do-it-yourself-er

 

Julia Moskin, reporter since 2004 for the New York Times Dining section

 

1:30 – 2:00

Trials and tribulations in your Thanksgiving kitchen? Have no fear, Chef Shelley Wiseman is here.

A great Thanksgiving spread comes with a fair amount of stress.  No, we’re not talking about hidden family issues.  We’re talking about simple cooking frustrations. What goes with cranberries besides oranges? How can I spice up grandma’s bland stuffing recipe? And for the newbies, there are two especially daunting tasks: the roasting and the carving.  Or trying to figure out how to do it all vegetarian. Whether you’re looking for advice on how to tweak the traditional Thanksgiving fare or a straightforward explanation of the basics, our annual ask-the-chef Thanksgiving segment will give you the answers you need.  This time around we welcome Shelley Wiseman, former food editor at Gourmet magazine and the author of “The Mexican Gourmet’ and “Just Tacos.” Get your questions ready!

 

Guest:

Shelley Wiseman, the new senior food editor at Fine Cooking Magazine; former food editor at Gourmet magazine; author, “The Mexican Gourmet” and “Just Tacos”

 

2:00 – 3:00

Inside today’s U.S. military: the challenge and reward of service

Patt Morrison learns what it’s like to serve in today’s U.S. military, and listens to the stories of those who are fighting for their country. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force recruiters have kept busy since 2001, handling more enlistments and younger soldiers—on average only 20 or 21 years old—as the economy worsens and violence in the Middle East continues. In the process, these recruiters have presided over an interesting demographic trend—an increase in military enlistment by ethnic minorities, most notably Hispanics. Better outreach - including the use of advertising, Twitter and Facebook - could be behind the increase, but there are benefits to serving the nation as well: proof of one’s patriotism, pride in one’s work, steady military pay, education subsidies through the G.I. Bill, enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses, and perhaps a way to escape the poverty and joblessness that plague countless communities. Some even hope that service will lead to an expedited consideration for U.S. citizenship. These advantages likely appeal to soldiers of any heritage when they join the war effort, but unfortunately the costs of conflict have been felt universally as well. Men and women deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq all face the problems that can arise from prolonged familial separation, debilitating physical injury, psychological trauma, and the strange procedure of readjusting to civilian life. The intensity of the fighting in Middle Eastern regions has deterred many soldiers from reenlisting, and the longer their deployment—typically 47.9 months for Army personnel—the less likely they are to volunteer for another tour. Those who are redeployed multiple times face even higher risks of death and harm. What it is like to live every moment as if it could be our last? And why do our brave men and women risk so much for their country?

 

Guests:

Beth Asch, associate director, Forces and Resources Policy Center at the RAND National Defense Research Institute

 

Commander Michele Carter, executive officer, Navy Recruiting District Los Angeles, which also covers Bakersfield, Orange County, Hawaii, Guam and Japan

 

Captain Ricky Hernandez, executive officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station L.A.

 

Rossana and Arturo Cambron, whose son is currently deployed with the Army in Iraq

 

Jewell Faamaligi, whose brother Torice has served in the Marines since 1991 and was deployed to Afghanistan

 

Marcelle Sloan, whose niece (whom we are calling “V”) was deployed twice to Iraq, and is now in the inactive reserve working there as an independent contractor for KBR, attached to a unit of the Army. During her first deployment, she was raped.

 

Teresa Bullock, national 3rd vice president, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc, an organization of women whose children are currently serving in the military; 1st vice president, Inland Empire Gold Star Mothers, an organization of mothers who have lost a child in military service. Her oldest son was killed in Iraq on March 7, 2007; her youngest son completed five years in the Army and was discharged in March of 2010.

 

 

 

 

Patt Morrison for Wednesday, November 23, 2011

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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 – 1:40: OPEN

 

1:41:30 – 1:58:30

Jack Abramoff on corruption in Washington

Jack Abramoff ended up in prison as the poster child for the bad lobbyist. He’s out of prison and out with a book that blasts corruption and politicians who enable it. Before being convicted of committing fraud in 2006, Abramoff was widely considered to be the most powerful lobbyists in Washington D.C. Referred to as the 'the man who bought' Washington, Abramoff bribed a number of high-ranking elected government officials in order to gain their political support for his clients. Many of the politicians connected to the scandal resigned from office and some, such as former Republican Congressman Bob Ney, were convicted of conspiracy and making false statements. Recently released from serving his sentence in prison, Abramoff reveals his insider knowledge of corrupt federal political practices in a new autobiography. Has corruption in Washington declined since the 2006 Abramoff scandal? Do you think Abramoff's six-year prison sentence was harsh enough to deter others from committing similar crimes? How can we eradicate corrupt practices in U.S. politics?

 

Guest: 

Jack Abramoff, former lobbyist and businessman convicted in 2006 of mail fraud and conspiracy; his new book is Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth about Washington Corruption from America's Most Notorious Lobbyist

 

 

2:06 – 2:39
Embracing your inner jerk during the holidays
As the traditional holiday season arrives in force this week, people’s stress levels begin to climb. Some of the rising holiday blood pressure can likely be attributed to family squabbles. You may begin to ask yourself, “How can I be related to these people?” From your uncle’s political diatribes to your mother-in-law’s incessant meddling in the kitchen, family can really get under your skin. And there is nothing like squeezing all of you around a cramped table to amplify the conflict. Perhaps another glass of wine? But maybe there is another way. Author Valerie Frankel’s comedic new memoir, It’s Hard Not to Hate You, is an ode to the airing of grievances. Frankel posits that the best way to deal with these toxic emotions is by taking them out on the toxic people in your life. Is it possible to feel better by reveling in negative emotions? What kinds of battles do you expect at your Thanksgiving table this year? And how will you deal with them?

Guest:
Valerie Frankel, author of It’s Hard Not to Hate You; she’s also the former articles editor at Mademoiselle and contributor to the New York Times, O, Glamour and others

 

 

2:41:30 – 2:58:30

Helping your pets cope with the holidays
The table is set, the candles are lit and your loved ones are sitting down to a perfectly adorned table. What to your wondering eyes should appear, but Molly, the ill-behaved and beloved family dog licking the turkey at the edge of the table. The holidays bring out a lot of peculiar behavior in people, and pets aren’t immune to the fracas. Have you ever wondered what is appropriate for your four-legged family members during the holidays? Professional dog trainer and behaviorist Michael Chill is here to help clear things up. Have you ever wondered if it’s OK to feed your dog table scraps or leftovers? How can you help your cat deal with the influx of boisterous guests? What pet questions do you have for our animal expert? 

 

Guest:
Michael Chill, animal trainer and behaviorist; author of Puppybook and columnist for the Animal Press

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Osen

Southern California Public Radio - 89.3 KPCC

626-583-5173 / 626-483-5278

losen@scpr.org @Patt_Morrison

 

Patt Morrison for Tuesday, November 22, 2011

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

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 – 1:58:30: OPEN

 

2:06 – 2:30

Why Americans waste so much food and what to do about it this Thanksgiving

Food is on many Americans’ minds this week as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, but just as the holiday brings spectacular amounts of food, it also brings spectacular amounts of waste. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, roughly one-third of all food produced for human consumption—approximately 1.3 billion tons—is lost or wasted each year. That’s about 222 million tons of food wasted by developed countries like the United States—and that’s nearly as much as the total amount of food produced in sub-Saharan Africa. What big forces perpetuate all that waste? And what are the small ways individuals can cut back, especially during the holidays?

 

Guests:

Jonathan Bloom, creator of WastedFood.com and author of American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half of Its Food (and What We Can Do About It)

 

2:30 – 2:39

Brother can you spare a dime: how many people will go hungry this Thanksgiving?

Many of the food banks throughout Southern California are expecting record numbers of people in need this Thanksgiving. The problem is there may not be enough food, because donations are down, way down.  E.J. Jackson, owner of Jackson Limousine Service in South Los Angeles, has been giving away turkeys for 28 years and has never seen donations as low as they are this year. He says he had pallets of food this time last year, but now “there’s nothing here.” Jackson wants “L.A. to step up and help these people.” A spokesperson for the Midnight Mission says no matter how tight things are, they will not cut back in spite of a 20-percent drop in donations. The L.A. Food Bank has seen a 50-percent drop in donations. How can these charitable organizations continue to serve with a severe shortage of donations and a growing number of people in need? Will there be enough food for Thanksgiving? How can you help?

 

Guests:

Michael Flood, President/CEO, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Mai Lee, community and government relations director, Midnight Mission

 

UNCONFIRMED

E.J. Jackson, owner, Jackson Limousine Service

 

2:41:30 – 2:58:30

Black politics in the 21^st Century

Renowned political science professor and author Michael C. Dawson has been conducting studies on race in America since 2005. Backed by a lifetime of scholarship and activism, his recent research examines the modern African American experience in many aspects of life, including political ideology, racial identity and poverty - and dispels some of the dissonance between the reality of modern American race relations and the post-racial fantasy projected post-hurricane Katrina and the election of America’s first black President, Barack Obama. Dawson’s newest book, Not in Our Lifetimes: The Future of Black Politics, presents this research in a clear-eyed and insightful voice that helps elucidate the future of black politics in the new millennium. What is the state of African-American politics and can our society really ever think of itself as “post-racial?”

 

Guests:

Michael Dawson, author of Not in Our Lifetimes: The Future of Black Politics (University of Chicago Press); John D. MacArthur professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago 

 

 

 

Patt Morrison for Monday, November 21, 2011

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Monday, November 21, 2011

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

 

 

 

1:00 – 1:30

OPEN

 

 

1:30 – 2:00
Some hard evidence on happiness - and a magic number

Seventy five thousand dollars.  That’s the number a set of researchers from Princeton University have determined is the annual household income “sweet spot” for optimal happiness. Renowned economist Angus Deaton and Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman examined 450,000 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index responses and found that the things that make us happy are the result of two abstract psychological states – emotional wellbeing and life evaluation. Particulars that define those states include quantifiable things like setting goals and examination of one’s life accomplishments. But they also found that having a household income of $75,000 means that you’re likely to be happiest. Those in households bringing home less aren’t as happy, and happiness doesn’t increase when the paychecks get bigger. What accounts for the “magic number?” Does your salary bring you tears of joy or sorrow? What makes you happy?

 

Guests: TBD

 

 

2:00 – 2:30

Cookbooks vs. cooking apps: which side are you on?

When e-books first came out, we worried if actual books would go away. They survived. Can the same be said for cookbooks? This holiday season, try whipping out your tablet – not that dusty cookbook – for inspiration and direction in the kitchen.  On the market already are hundreds of cooking apps designed for novice bakers and serious chefs alike.  From last minute meal ideas to ancillary apps for substitution tips, cooking apps are designed for every chief in mind. Even the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, will be offering their instructional app on tablets for their incoming class. While cooking apps offer instant kitchen solutions with the touch of a button, there is something to be said about physical cookbooks, the ones where on which you can accidently spill or scribble in the margins. The Betty Crocker Cookbook is just one such vintage cookbook passed on from generation to generation. It was first published in 1950, but its latest edition features updates to recipes, new chapters for the modern cook and web-exclusive how-to videos and recipes. Are you a cooking app convert?  What are some of your favorite classic cookbooks? Do they need a makeover, or do you like them in their vintage form.

Guests:

Editor TBD, “Betty Crocker Cookbook,” new 11^th Edition

CALL:  TBD

 

Julia Moskin, reporter for the New York Times Dining section since 2004

 

2:30 – 3:00

Trials and tribulations in your Thanksgiving kitchen? Have no fear, Chef Shelley Wiseman is here.

A great Thanksgiving spread comes with a fair amount of stress.  No, we’re not talking about hidden family issues.  We’re talking about simple cooking frustrations. What goes with cranberries besides oranges? How can I spice up grandma’s bland stuffing recipe? And for the newbies, there are two especially daunting tasks: the roasting and the carving.  Or trying to figure out how to do it all vegetarian. Whether you’re looking for advice on how to tweak the traditional Thanksgiving fare or a straightforward explanation of the basics, our annual ask-the-chef Thanksgiving segment will give you the answers you need.  This time around we welcome Shelley Wiseman, former food editor at Gourmet magazine and the author of “The Mexican Gourmet’ and “Just Tacos.” Get your questions ready!

 

Guest:

Shelley Wiseman, the new senior food editor at Fine Cooking Magazine; former food editor at Gourmet magazine; author, “The Mexican Gourmet” and “Just Tacos”

CALL HER:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RE: Patt Morrison for Friday, November 18, 2011

 

 

 

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Friday, November 18, 2011

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 – 1:30 OPEN

 

1:30 – 1:58:30

Employers find new ways to deal with the costs of worker wellness

New statistics from consulting companies that advise major employers on benefits they provide to employees show that companies are increasingly penalizing workers with unhealthy lifestyles. Smoking is the first vice in the crosshairs – and employers are hitting employees where it hurts… in their paychecks. Of 248 major American employers surveyed, 19 percent are now imposing financial penalties for lighting up. America’s largest employer, Wal-Mart, recently imposed a $2,000-a-year surcharge for some smokers. Other employers are taking a different tack by offering incentives to coax them into wellness programs or insurance discounts. Cash-strapped employers cite skyrocketing health care costs as the reason for the changes. Where should employers draw the line? Should companies fine their employees for vices outside the workplace? When does incentivizing wellness become discrimination?

 

Guests:

TBD

 

2:06 – 2:19 OPEN

 

2:21:30 – 2:30

Wonder Woman!  We love her, so why doesn’t Hollywood (she’s 70 and still no movie)

We’ve seen almost every notable comic book figure made into a big budget popcorn movie, but alas, our invisible jet traveling, lasso wielding sexy heroine has never made it to the silver screen.  What woman (and a few men) hasn’t put on the boots, the wig, padded their bra and dressed up as WW for Halloween? She’s a strong, independent woman, so why hasn’t the character translated to the big screen?

 

Guest:

Geoff Boucher is a pop culture writer for the Los Angeles Times and anchors the Hero Complex site (www.herocomplex.com).

 

2:41:30 – 2:58:30

The Doors: a close reading with Greil Marcus

It’s been forty years since Jim Morrison’s death, and still his psychedelic presence rings clear through the music of The Doors. The rock legends stumbled onto the L.A. rock and roll scene in the 1960s, and have since sold over 100 million albums worldwide. In today’s age where Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian (she sings, right?) dominate pop culture, The Doors harken back to a time in which music reflected the attitudes of an entire generation.  In his new book, “The Doors: A Lifetime of Listening to Five Mean Years,” music critic Greil Marcus dissects studio and bootleg performances to get inside these rockers’ minds. Marcus ties the band’s popularity to a dark place in American history of Charles Manson and the assassination of Robert Kennedy. Marcus joins us to talk about the cult of The Doors.

 

Guests:

Greil Marcus, author of “The Doors: A lifetime of Listening to Five Mean Years” and “Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20^th Century”; former music writer at Rolling Stone; teaches American Studies at UC Berkeley; currently teaching at The New School in New York