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Podcasts Take Two
Take Two for December 20, 2012
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Dec 20, 2012
Listen 1:29:09
Take Two for December 20, 2012

First, the Center for Investigative Reporting looks at why long wait times mean some veterans die before receiving benefits. Then, we take a look at why Obama's Secure Communities immigration policy is falling out of favor across the U.S. Plus, Mexico's middle class continues to rise, Wall Street Journal columnist Jeff Yang's project to teach his sons about guns and much more.

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 15:  Protesters with Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) hold signs as they march during an anti Secure Communities program demonstration on August 15, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The demonstrators were picketing in front of St. Anne's Residential Facility, where Homeland Security advisory council's Task Force on Secure Communities was holding a hearing. The program, which was created in 2008, calls for police to submit suspects' fingerprints to US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement so they can be cross-checked with federal deportation order.  (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Protesters with Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) hold signs as they march during an anti Secure Communities program demonstration on August 15, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
(
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
)

First, the Center for Investigative Reporting looks at why long wait times mean some veterans die before receiving benefits. Then, we take a look at why Obama's Secure Communities immigration policy is falling out of favor across the U.S. Plus, Mexico's middle class continues to rise, Wall Street Journal columnist Jeff Yang's project to teach his sons about guns and much more.

Listen 6:40
According to a report from the Center for Investigative Reporting, many veterans aren't receiving benefits for their service to this country until after they die.Aaron Glantz has the story.
Listen 4:28
As the Obama Administration prepares to tackle immigration reform, a part of its current immigration policy is dividing Democrats across the country.Last year, Democratic governors in Massachusetts, Illinois, and New York pulled out of "Secure Communities," even if Immigration and Customs Enforcement — or ICE — insists the program is not optional.
Listen 5:51
The massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School has drawn attention to a program that trains teachers and student to fight back against armed madmen.
Listen 9:33
Jeff Yang, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, and his 9-year-old son join Take Two to talk about their comic project, which aims to teach kids the real dangers of guns.
Listen 7:52
Last month, California voters approved Proposition 36, the initiative overhauled the state's controversial three strikes law. From now on, only felons with a violent third strike will be sentenced to life.
Listen 1:44
If confirmed, Jeffrey Beard will lead one of the largest prison systems in the nation, rattled by transition and mired in politics.
Listen 7:37
California...it's the Golden State, it's one of the greenest states, and, before you know it, it'll be the oil state.Because of hydraulic fracking, California might actually be producing more oil than Texas in the next decade.
Listen 11:08
With the 11th hour fast approaching, negotiations to avoid the fiscal cliff appear to have stalled. President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner haven't talked since Monday.
Listen 1:19
The touchy debate over gun control — and specifically a new ban on assault weapons — is moving forward after President Obama said he would bring the issue before Congress in January.
Listen 2:15
Lake Forest repealed a controversial law banning registered sex offenders from city parks, despite opposition from the Orange County District Attorney.
Listen 4:41
The image of the rosy cheeked and bearded Jolly Old Saint Nick is etched in our minds. But what about the real Saint Nick? Did he even exist?
Listen 5:49
Every week we get your conversation topics for your weekend dinner parties with Brendan Francis Newnam and Rico Gagliano, the hosts of the Dinner Party podcast and radio show.
Listen 3:58
Peltzer Pines Christmas Tree farms, which has sold Christmas trees in Orange County for nearly 50 years, said increased development has made it difficult to find land.
Listen 6:17
Writer Sean Beaudoin grew up in Newtown, Conn. He joins the show to talk about how he's feeling about heading home for the holidays.