Patt Morrison for Thursday, July 5, 2012

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, July 5, 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

 

 

1:06 – 1:30 - OPEN

 

1:30 – 1:58:30

Is America being torn apart by ‘hyper-individualism’?

Are Americans more frustrated with politics and with each other than we need to be? They are, according to Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne Jr. In his new book, “Our Divided Political Heart,” Dionne states that “Americans disagree about who we are because we can’t agree about who we’ve been.” The author insists that before we blame sheer partisanship and polarization for political gridlock, we must first reach a consensus about the truth of our national history and the historical definition of core American values. Dionne contends that we must reconcile our love of individualism and our reverence for community in order to successfully move past our contemporary political differences. What can the U.S. learn from its past to better serve both individual and community interests?

 

Guest:

E.J. Dionne, long-time op-ed columnist for The Washington Post, author most recently of “Our Divided Political Heart”

VIA ISDN

 

2:06 – 2:30 - OPEN

 

2:30 – 2:39

Yasiel Puig, Cuban defector, joins Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a historic 2012. The $2 billion sale of the team back in March to Magic Johnson’s group is the highest price tag for any sports franchise. The team came out this season poised to make a run for the playoffs.  However, injuries to Matt Kemp, Mark Ellis, and now Andre Ethier threaten to have the Hollywood Swingers lose their footing in the N.L. West. Now the boys of summer are making history again by signing 21 year-old Yasiel Puig, a Cuban defector, to a 7 year, $42 million deal. Puig is reportedly one of the best ballplayers to come from the Caribbean isle and could definitely help The Blue Crew’s offensive woes. The $42 million deal is the highest dollar amount ever given to a Cuban defector. The presence of Latin America in Major League Baseball is undeniable. With players coming from Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, most Latino players make it to the U.S. with the permission and consent of both the U.S. government and their homeland. However, Puig’s defection from Cuba and subsequent deal raises the question: is it ok to break the law in your own country to make a paycheck someplace else? And because of the amount Puig could make, do other Cuban players have 42 million reasons to leave home illegally? 

 

Guest:

TBD

 

[BREAK]

 

2:41:30 – 2:58:30

Is the family dinner overrated?

For decades, studies showed that regular family dinners produced healthier, happier teenagers with higher SAT scores. That research arguably drove product lines of pre-prepared food and busy parents’ guilt and anxiety. But now new research is throwing cold water on the dinner table. Does eating together really make for better-adjusted kids? Or is it just those families that can afford the time for a family dinner might also have more money and time than a family that can’t? Patt talks with two researchers about their work. Did you or didn’t you grow up with family dinners? How if at all do you think that impacted you?

 

Guests:

UNCONFIRMED

Ann Meier, associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota

Kelly Musick, associate professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell University

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/opinion/sunday/is-the-family-dinner-overrated.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Osen

Southern California Public Radio - 89.3 KPCC

626-583-5173 / 626-483-5278

losen@scpr.org @Patt_Morrison