Iraq War Spending; Have You Done Your Taxes Yet?; The New Alternative Weekly, The District; British Sailors in Iran; The Qur'an
Iraq War Spending
President Bush in a news conference today expressed frustration with the debate on Iraq war spending and accused majority-party Democrats of being "more interested in fighting political battles in Washington than providing our troops what they need." Larry discusses the issue with Ron Elving, Senior Washington Editor for National Public Radio, and takes listener thoughts about what to do in Iraq.
Have You Done Your Taxes Yet?
Larry Mantle talks with Kathy Kristof, Business Columnist for the L.A.Times who pens the "Personal Finance" section, about the changes to the tax code this year, and other tax related issues.
The New Alternative Weekly, The District
Larry Mantle talks with Will Swaim, formerly of the OC Weekly, about his new venture as Publisher of the new alternative newspaper, The District, which will be available in Long Beach, and launch in mid-April.
British Sailors in Iran
It's a standoff that's heightening tensions even further in the Middle East. Fifteen British sailors and marines were captured by Iran in the Persian Gulf on March 23rd. Iran insists the crew was deep in its territorial waters; Britain says they were in Iraqi waters and under a United Nations mandate. Larry talks with Scott Peterson, reporter for the Christian Science Monitor, Rob Gifford, NPR-correspondent in London, and Jim Walsh, international security expert at Security Studies Program at M.I.T.'s Center for International Studies, about the latest in this confrontation.
The Qur'an
The Qur'an is a ritual, political and legal authority, as well as a literary masterpiece and an ethical and spiritual guide. In his new book The Qur'an: A Biography (Atlantic Monthly Press), Bruce Lawrence, author and professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University, describes the origins of the faith from 7th century Arabia and explains why the book is both memorized and recited by devout Muslims. Larry talks with Bruce about the sacred book of Islam and its impact on the world.