Electrode Cap For Paralyzed Turns Thoughts Into Action; Bush’s Revised Tax Plan May Raise Taxes for Californians; Iraqi Elections: The Credibility Issue; John Waters
Electrode Cap For Paralyzed Turns Thoughts Into Action
Scientists at the State University of New York and the New York State Department of Health have created an electrode cap that monitors electricity from brain waves. The cap creates a link between the minds of paralyzed people and computers, allowing them to control computer cursors as a tool to interface better with the outside world. Los Angeles Times science writer Robert Lee Hotz joins Larry to discuss the invention. Also joining the conversation is John Chapin, professor of physiology and pharmacology at SUNY downstate. He is also the director of the SUNY center for neurorobotics and neuroengineering.
Bush’s Revised Tax Plan May Raise Taxes for Californians
The President’s new tax plan may eliminate the federal deduction for state and local taxes. This would affect blue states more than red states, and Californians more than residents in any other state. Is this a coincidence or political payback? And how would this change affect you? Joining Larry is Steve Westly, California State Controller, Eric Engen, PhD in Economics, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, and Adam Schiff, Democratic Congressman from the 29th district.
Iraqi Elections: The Credibility Issue
As the date for the Iraq elections draws near, the country appears to be sliding into civil war. Mainly Sunni insurgents continue to attack Iraqi police officers and army recruits, who are mostly Shiite and Kurdish. Some Sunni clerics are calling for a boycott of the election, while others ask for a delay. What will it take to make the election in Iraq happen? What will make the election credible? If 50% of the population votes, will that be enough? What if the Sunnis boycott the process? Experts Michael Rubin, a former Coalition Provisional Authority political adviser and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, and Steven Cook, Next Generation Scholar at the Council on Foreign Relations whose specialty is political reform in the Middle East, join Host Larry Mantle to discuss the issue.
John Waters
Legendary filmmaker John Waters is bringing his Christmas show to UCLA’s Royce Hall on Thursday, December 9th at 8 p.m. He takes a trip down memory lane using comedy and monologue as vehicles.