Latest Economic News; Orange County Journalists Roundtable; Waxman to Head House Energy and Commerce Panel; Changing The Definition of Combat Disability; Tibetan Tribulations
Latest Economic News
President-elect Barack Obama held another press conference this morning. Obama named Peter Orszag as his budget director, saying his job will be to conduct a thorough review of federal spending programs, and to eliminate wasteful programs. Meanwhile the Federal Reserve announced today it will buy up to $600 billion of toxic assets and that the government will provide $800 billion to help unfreeze the credit markets. Where is all this money coming from? Larry Mantle talks with Neal Irwin, who reports on the economy for the Washington Post, Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President, Economic Policy Institute and JD Foster, Senior Fellow in Economic Policy, Heritage Foundation about the latest developments on the economic front.
Orange County Journalists Roundtable
Larry Mantle talks with Gustavo Arellano, OC Weekly staff writer, William Lobdell, Orange County journalist, and Steven Greenhut, senior editorial writer and columnist, Orange County Register, about the latest news events and developments in Orange County.
Waxman to Head House Energy and Commerce Panel
Larry talks with Representative Henry Waxman, Congressman representing California's 30th district, about his new position and his plans for addressing global warming.
Changing The Definition of Combat Disability
The military's definition of combat-related disabilities was narrowed in a little-noticed regulation change in March. In a letter to the 1.3-million-member Disabled American Veterans, William J. Carr, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense said the change was consistent with Congress' intent to preserve the "special distinction for those who incur disabilities while participating in the risk of combat, in contrast with those injured otherwise." Veteran advocates have accused the Pentagon of narrowing the definition to save money, charging that the change would reduce payments for tens of thousands of veterans, those already wounded and those injured in the future. Larry talks with Vanessa Williamson, Policy Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Kerry Baker, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans about the significance of the new definition for wounded vets.
Tibetan Tribulations
Chinese police with riot gear took up posts on Monday in the Tibetan town Xiahe, in a reminder of China's determination to maintain control of the region. The show of force coincided with the sentencing of a group of Tibetans who took part in anti-government protests in March. Last week, nearly 600 Tibetan monks, politicians and activists gathered in Dharmsala, India, the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile, to discuss the future of their homeland. The meeting yielded little and delegates announced they will temporarily end formal negotiations with China because the government was not taking them seriously. The Dalai Lama has advocated a "middle way" policy, which rejects calls for Tibet's outright independence, but seeks greater autonomy. But the Buddhist leader recently shocked his followers by expressing his own frayed patience after the ongoing failure of talks between Tibetan and Chinese negotiators. Larry talks with Tseten Phanucharas, President, Los Angeles Friends of Tibet, about the tug-of-war.