Patt Morrison for Wednesday, July 4, 2012

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

1-3 p.m.

ON TAPE

 

1:06 – 1:19

Long Beach African American WWII vets receive highest civilian citation
The history of the Montford Point Marines from North Carolina date back to June 25th, 1941, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an order that started to erase discrimination in the Armed Forces. Soon after, African Americans were free to enlist and be recruited into the United States Marine Corps, but those who joined were still segregated from the rest of the military and faced poor camp conditions. First Sergeant William (Jack) McDowell was of one of those first black Marines to enlist and serve in World War II. McDowell served in Okinawa, Japan in support of the 6th Marine Division, and also served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. McDowell’s military career included 20 medals, including the Bronze Star for Valor and Purple Heart. Navy Hospital Corpsman Robert S. Hammond was a medical technician, and one of only seven black Navy Corpsmen assigned to Montford Point. His tour of service in World War II included deployment to Guam, the Camp Wise Naval Base and the Marine Corps dispensary at Barracuda Village, where he tended to Marines injured in combat. Together, they became part of one of the first African American Marine battalions to fight in World War II, and both received Congressional Gold Medal in Washington D.C on June 27 - the highest citation an American civilian can receive.. What is the legacy of these veterans who trained at Montford Point? How has the military’s approach to race changed as society has changed?

Guests:
William (Jack) McDowell, United States Marine Corps First Sergeant, World War II veteran and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed on American civilians

- McDowell’s military career included 20 medals, including the Bronze Star for Valor and Purple Heart

Robert S. Hammond, United States Navy Hospital Corpsman, World War II veteran and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest bestowed on American civilians

1:21 – 1:39

“Me the People”

If you view the Constitution of the United States as one of our country’s most sacred documents, you probably shouldn’t read Kevin Bleyer’s latest book, “Me the People: One Man's Selfless Quest to Rewrite the Constitution of the United States of America.” In it, the writer for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” points out the historical document’s flaws and takes it upon himself to revise it in the satirical style that only a “Daily Show” writer could. “We the People deserve perfection," he says early in his book, "and Me the People shall deliver it." Bleyer proceeds to poke fun at all seven of the Constitution's articles and the entire Bill of Rights. Do you think the U.S. Constitution needs to be re-written? In the past, the world looked to the document as the highest standard of democracy, is that still the case?

 

Guest:

Kevin Bleyer, writer for the “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and author of “Me the People: One Man's Selfless Quest to Rewrite the Constitution of the United States of America”

1:41:30 – 1:58:30
Comedy Congress: Live, from the Crawford Family Forum
The comedic material emanating from the campaign trail is enough to make any sitcom writer jealous, even if most of it is unintentional. Our motto at Comedy Congress is “just when politics makes you want to cry, it’s usually best to laugh instead.” Join Patt for another rousing session that asks the hard-hitting questions of Americans, such as, what’s a donut? And, why are we so obsessed with making our candidates seem as average as possible? Tune in to laugh at the madness of it all, because the truth hurts far less when it’s told by comedians.

Guests:

Alonzo Bodden, winner, season 3, NBC's "Last Comic Standing;"star of Showtime Comedy Special; podcast "Who's Paying Attention"

Ben Gleib, roundtable regular on Chelsea Lately, host of the podcast "Last Week on Earth with Ben Gleib"; he's also on the new SyFy series 'Insane or Inspired' and next month can be heard in the movie "Ice Age 4," hitting theaters everywhere in 3D

Jeff Cesario, Emmy winning comedian who's written for "Dennis Miller Live," "The Larry Sanders Show" and stars in 'the Dick Rossi Show' at funnyordie.com

Lauren Osen

Southern California Public Radio - 89.3 KPCC

626-583-5173 / 626-483-5278

losen@scpr.org @Patt_Morrison