Patt Morrison for Tuesday, January 17, 2012

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

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

Governor Jerry Brown’s State of the State: what should he say?

While Governor Jerry Brown prepares to give his State of State message, scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow [Wednesday] before a joint session of the California legislature. Patt Morrison talks with Californians about what they want and need to hear.

Guests: TBD

1:30 – 2:00

OPEN

2:00 – 2:30

New studies prove that when it comes to civics and statistics, it’s all about your state of mind.

The results are in: either we don’t do math, or numbers really don’t matter. Recent polls show that Americans overestimate federal spending on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by a factor of 100, the percentage of illegal U.S. residents by a factor of six or seven, and the number of residents receiving welfare by about two. We also underestimate the amount of spending on Social Security and Medicare. If you find this concerning, consider this: recent studies also show that even when provided with the correct information, most people won’t change their opinion.  And the most misinformed tend to be the most confident. How can people be helped to make more informed decisions if they refuse to base their decision on factual information?

Guests:  ON TOGETHER, TAKING CALLS

Carl Bialik, The Numbers Guy for the Wall Street Journal

CALL HIM: 

Jack Pitney, professor of government, Claremont McKenna College

CALL HIM: 

WEB: Americans Stumble on Math of Big Issues

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203471004577144632919979666.html

2:30 – 3:00

With an outrageous tale, authors Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel explore the lunatic fringe

How do two buffoons from suburban New Jersey become legendary international criminals? Award-winning authors Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel join forces to answer this question with their new book “Lunatics.” Barry and Zweibel employ their fictionalized alter egos Jeffrey Peckerman and Philip Horkman as troublemakers who, through their own stupidity, turn a disputed call in a girls’ soccer game into global mayhem. Peckerman and Horkman are charged with, among other things, committing acts of terrorism in New York City, endangering zoo animals, hijacking a clothing-optional cruise ship, extorting hundreds of millions of dollars, and critically damaging a guitar belonging to the singer Charo. Despite their misadventures, the two somehow manage to become the most famous and adored human beings on the planet. Along the way, Barry and Zweibel dynamically address everything from international conflicts to the hazards of school soccer leagues. Join Patt as the authors tell their raucous tale.

PATT:  The authors will be discussing their book tonight [Tuesday, 1/17] at 7:30pm  at the Skirball Cultural Center with comedian David Steinberg moderating the conversation. A Q&A and book signing follow the program.

Guests:

Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and New York Times-bestselling author of more than thirty books, including “Tricky Business” and “I’ll Mature When I’m Dead.”

Alan Zweibel, original writer, “Saturday Night Live;” four-time Emmy award winner; author of six books, including “The Other Shulman”

BOTH IN STUDIO