This Week on AirTalk

Friday, June 5

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Thursday, June 4

President Obama Addresses the Muslim World
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In his speech in Cairo today, President Obama pledged "to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims." He expressed a goal to improve relations with the Muslim world with a relationship "based upon mutual interest and mutual respect." Obama also discussed seven "sources of tension," including violent extremism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, freedom of religion, and women's rights. Larry Mantle talks about the speech with Hussein Ibish of the American Task Force on Palestine, Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Salam Al-Maryati of the Muslim Public Affairs Council and Jacob Dayan, Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles.

Tiananmen Square 20 Years Later
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Today is the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. The events of the morning of June 4th put a brutal halt to a burgeoning democracy movement in China and resulted in the deaths of hundreds, maybe thousands of dissidents and the imprisonment of many others. Since then, China has become the fastest growing economy in the world even though individual civil rights and freedom of expression are still greatly suppressed by a powerful central government. Larry Mantle talks aobut the Chinese Democracy Movement and the legacy of Tiananmen Square with former dissident and ChinaAid CEO Bob Fu, Wall Street Journal reporter John Bussey and Clayton Dube of USC's US-China Institute.

Guillermo del Toro
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The Oscar-winning director of Pan's Labyrinth joins Larry Mantle to talk about his new novel "The Strain," a frightening tale of vampirism's viral spread throughout the world. The book is the first in a trilogy that traces the fictional legend of vampires from ancient times to the modern day. Larry talks with del Toro about his work as a director, screen writer and now as a novelist and what motivates his interest the macabre.

Jazz Vocalist & Pianist Diane Schuur
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Diane Schuur's career spans nearly three decades and includes two Grammy Awards and three Grammy nominations. Larry Mantle talks with her about her music, which has explored nearly every corner of the 20th century American musical landscape.

Wednesday, June 3

Unemployment and Increased Demand at Food Banks
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Nearly a quarter of unemployed Californians have been without a job for six months or more. Additionally, food banks across the Southland are seeing a dramatic increase in demand along with a new set of clients. As the recession deepens, more middle class families are being driven to seek assistance. The situation is expected to worsen as the California state budget cuts begin to take effect. Larry Mantle hears from guests and listeners about how prolonged unemployment is affecting Californians.

Pass/Fail
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The current fiscal crisis looming over California has shredded the budgets of many school districts across the state. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell says that legislators will be forced to reevaluate the state tax structure and how money is funded into the school budgets, if schools are ever going to bounce back from the current fiscal chaos. Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, joins Larry Mantle to talk about the current condition of California Schools.

Cancer: Are We Closer to an Answer?
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The pace is quickening in the race to find a cure for cancer. Oncologists agree that in many cases, cancer is no longer a terminal disease, but one that can be treated and managed. Larry talks with City of Hope President and CEO Dr. Michael Friedman about the latest news in cancer research and treatment.

Shanghai Girls
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Lisa See's novel "Shanghai Girls" is a tale of two sisters, Pearl and May. Set in 1937, the two live a life of financial security and material comfort. Yet, when Japanese bombs fall on Shanghai, the two set out on journey that leads them from China to Los Angeles. A story about sisterly love and rivalry, the two face devastating life adventures while holding fast to their identity of being Shanghai Girls. Larry talks to author Lisa See about the creative process and the inspiration behind her newest novel.

Tuesday, June 2

Obama Goes to Cairo
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President Barack Obama has given several previews of his planned speech in Cairo later this week. In an attempt to emphasize a fresh start between the United States and Muslim countries, the speech will be another step in the President's efforts to repair relations with Muslims abroad. Obama will head to the Mideast tonight and deliver the speech in Cairo on Thursday. Guest host Madeleine Brand talks to guests and listeners about Obama's controversial methods in trying to repairs relations in the Middle East.

Multiracial Americans: The Fastest Growing Demographic
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Multiracial Americans are now the fastest-growing demographic group, making up 5 percent of the population. In 2000, Americans were first given the option to check more than one box for race on census surveys. The trend complicates current notions of racial identity and minority rights. Guest host Madeleine Brand talks about the phenomenon with Susan Graham of Project Race and Carolyn Liebler of the University of Minnesota.

Refusing Medical Treatment for Children
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When should children and their parents be allowed to refuse medical treatment, and when are the courts justified to intervene? A 13-year-old with Hodgkin's lymphoma and his mother fled Minnesota for a week after a judge ordered that he receive chemotherapy treatment. The child and his family objected to the procedure on religious grounds, but have since returned to the state and have agreed to undergo chemotherapy. Madeleine Brand takes on the issue of children and patient's rights with medical ethicist Arthur Caplan and pediatric oncologist Dr. Stewart Siegel.

An Edible History of Humanity
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We're hungry, we go to the market, and that might be the extent of our thoughts on food. But there's so much more to food than meets the eye. In "An Edible History of Humanity," author and editor Tom Standage tells readers that food is at the core of political, social and economic forces from the beginning of time. He attacks the "profoundly unnatural" activity of farming that ended the "healthier" practice of hunting and gathering. Guest host Madeleine Brand talks with Standage about his thought-provoking new book.

Monday, June 1

The End of GM?
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Today General Motors filed the largest industrial bankruptcy in U.S. history. To help support GM, the Obama administration will provide $30.1 billion to the automaker in addition to the $20 billion already given. This makes GM the second-largest recipient of bailout money, behind AIG. Larry Mantle talks about this significant development with LA Times columnist Dan Neil and David Welch, Detroit Bureau Chief of BusinessWeek magazine.

Access to Abortion in Southern California
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Dr. George Tiller, one of the few doctors in the US who performed very late term abortions, was fatally shot on Sunday while working as an usher at his church in Kansas. The shooting may have a chilling effect on abortion providers nationwide resulting in increased security at clinics. Larry talks with Planned Parenthood Los Angeles President Mary-Jane Wagle about how Dr. Tiller's murder may influence access to abortion in Southern California.

President Obama Releases New Cybersecurity Policy
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President Obama has pledged to make the nation's computer networks more secure in the interest of national security. Last week the White House release a Cyberspace Policy Review, outlining possibilities for protecting computer systems run by the government. President Obama also plans to appoint a cyber security coordinator to oversee the policies. Larry Mantle finds out more about the President's plan to improve computer security from University of Chicago Law School Professor Randal Picker and Greg Nojeim of the Center for Democracy and Technology.

The Biology, Psychology and Sociology of Sex
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Why do men and women feel the way they do about the opposite sex? Who is hot and who isn't? And do we actually makes decisions about sexual attraction or is it all beyond our control? In his new book, "How Sex Works," Dr. Sharon Moalem explores the unique dynamic between biological imperatives, societal standards and individual choice. Larry talks with him about his book.

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