The Conversation Podcast

A Handbook for American Muslim Teens and a Technology to End Global Warming

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Mourning a Seattle Police Officer

The Seattle Police Department is holding a memorial service today for slain Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton. KUOW reporter Amy Radil updates us live from this somber event.

Unemployment Update

The U.S. unemployment rate has exceeded 10 percent of the population. Have we reached the high–water mark? Also this week, the U.S. Senate approved extending unemployment benefits. In Washington state some people are able to collect payments for 79 weeks. We'll talk to some experts about what's happening both nationally and here in our state.

Domestic Partnerships: Making it Real

Backers of the everything–but–marriage act for domestic partners, Referendum 71, are declaring victory. Practically speaking, what will that mean for same sex partners who want to take advantage of these new benefits? Representative Jamie Pederson joins us to provide some nuts–and–bolts advice.

12:20 p.m.

Nathan Myhrvold on the Stratoshield

Former Microsoft technology chief Nathan Myhrvold says we could reverse global climate change by pumping liquid sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. We could use a hose lifted more than 15 miles into the sky using helium–filled balloons. It would dim the sun just enough to reduce or reverse global warming. Nathan Myhrvold explains what he calls the Stratoshield.

12:40 p.m.

American Muslim Teenager

What's it like to be a Muslim teen in the United States? Dilara Hafiz and Imran Hafiz are a mother and son team that has written a guide. They'll join us to share their valuable tips.

Tacoma Mayor's Race, Poker's Life Lessons, and Retirement? What Retirement?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Tacoma Election Update

The Seattle mayoral race isn't the only nail–biter around. In Tacoma, City Councilwoman Marilyn Strickland leads architect Jim Merritt by a mere 117 votes in their race for the corner office. Pierce County voters also decided to do away with ranked–choice voting. We'll find out more from the City of Destiny.

Peter Boal's Artistic Balance

Peter Boal says he's happy people were so upset about a Pacific Northwest Ballet production that they wrote angry letters to newspapers. KUOW's Marcie Sillman profiles the critically acclaimed and controversial Artistic Director.

12:20 p.m.

Welcome to Retirement. Now Get Back to Work.

Americans are beginning to view retirement differently. The life of golf and leisure is no longer available to many because of the financial crisis. And others can't imagine retiring from work entirely. What's your view of retirement? Are you retired, about to retire, or imagining what your life will be like when you near retirement age? We'll hear from Paul Hodge, Director of Harvard's Generations Policy Program.

12:40 p.m.

Poker's Life Lessons

Obama plays poker. Many American presidents were avid poker players. Jim McManus says it's no surprise, because the skills needed to succeed at poker are key skills for political and military strategists. The poker player, journalist and author of a new history of poker called "Cowboys Full" explains what poker can teach us.

Election 2009

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Leading King County

Dow Constantine won a tough battle for the office of King County Executive. He takes office in just a few weeks and joins us to talk about what he'll do first.

Bipartisan — or Not?

King County elections are now officially bipartisan, although you never would have known that during the recent election season. To help us understand the dynamics party affiliation played in the election, we have P–I reporter Neil Modie in the studio.

12:20 p.m.

Mayoral Race

Seattleites still don't know who their next mayor will be. Mike McGinn has a one percent lead over Joe Mallahan. KUOW's Deb Wang reports.

Welcome Newcomers

There are new faces on the Seattle City Council, Mike O'Brien and Sally Bagshaw and on the Seattle School Board, Betty Patu and Kay Smith–Blum. We'll hear from the newcomers.

12:40 p.m.

Referendum 71

The domestic partners measure referendum 71 has a very narrow lead with many votes left be counted. Do the election results thus far tell us how it's going to go? Chris McCullough, a political consultant, is here to share his prediction.

Initiative 1033

By one survey Tim Eyman's tax and spending reduction measure 1033 was ahead by 30 points, but it went down to defeat. Was it bad polling or a reverse in voter sentiment? Scott Whiteaker from the No on 1033 campaign joins us.

Seattle City Port

The race for Seattle Port Commission centered on the need for reform. How happy are port reform voters today with the results? Brian Slodysko joins us to discuss the future of the Port of Seattle.

Has Mail-In Voting Changed the Way You Vote?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Precinct Parties

People who want to avoid paying postage can drop their ballot at neighborhood centers in Seattle. The centers are holding open house celebrations later today to thank voters.

Bookstore Blues

Bailey/Coy Books on Capitol Hill will close at the end of November. How will this affect the neighborhood? We'll talk to owner Michael Wells.

12:20 p.m.

How Do You Vote?

Election Day used to be the day most people voted. Now Election Day is a misnomer. You can vote and mail in your ballot whenever you want. Today is just a deadline. Has this changed the way you vote? Do you do research as you vote? Do you vote with friends or family? Do you host ballot parties?

12:40 p.m.

Whitopia

More Americans are moving to small towns and exurban areas that are predominately white. Rich Benjamin explores three of those places — in Georgia, Idaho and Utah — for his new book "Searching for Whitopia."

Seattle Police Officer Death and UW Vigilantes

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Slain Police Officer

Police are searching for the shooter who killed a Seattle police officer and wounded another on Saturday night. We'll get an update on the investigation.

More With Less

Public health departments are facing budget cuts even as they are being asked to do more to keep the public safe. KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports.

12:20 p.m.

Waste in the Health Care System

The U.S. health care system wastes $700 billion a year, according to a recent report by Thomson Reuters. A lot of that waste comes from fraudulent Medicare claims, redundant paperwork and unnecessary tests. Do you see waste in the health care system? Tell us about it.

12:40 p.m.

Gun–Toting UW Students

Some University of Washington students are carrying guns and organizing armed patrols in nearby neighborhoods out of concerns about crime. What do you think of their armed response to concerns about crime?

Norm Dicks Linked to Ethics Probe, Heart of Dryness, and Irrational Fears

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Norm Dicks Tied to House Ethics Probe

Congressman Norm Dicks of Bremerton is being investigated for possible ethics violations according to a leaked document obtained by the Washington Post. We talk to the executive director of The Center for Public Integrity.

School Board Race: Central Seattle

For the second election in a row, a Capitol Hill mother of Garfield graduates is challenging Mary Bass for her school board seat. The winner will represent central Seattle, where several high–poverty schools have been closed in recent years. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has this profile of the candidates.

King County's Unopposed Election Races

Election season in King County brings lots of attack ads and bitter debates between candidates. But some of this year's races aren't exactly nail–biters. Most of the candidates for King County Council are running unopposed. Even so, they've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to get re–elected. KUOW's John Ryan reports.

12:20 p.m.

Heart of Dryness

James Workman thought he knew about dealing with drought. He advised countries around the world on water policy. Then he met the Kalahari Bushmen of Botswana and realized they knew more than he did. The author of "Heart of Dryness" joins us.

12:40 p.m.

What Are You So Afraid Of?

Halloween is the time to be scared — or at least to pretend you're scared. But what about the fears that are real, even though they shouldn't be? Most of us have fears that we know are irrational and implausible, but that doesn't mean they're any less legitimate. What are your unfounded fears?

Boeing Heads to South Carolina, Sounders FC Head to the Playoffs

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Boeing Dreamliner to South Carolina

Boeing announced yesterday it will build its second 787 Dreamliner production line in South Carolina instead of Puget Sound. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports.

School Board Race

In the race for school board in South Seattle voters have a choice between UW researcher Wilson Chin and Betty Patu. Chin touts his ability to parse the district's data. Betty Patu worked for the School District for 32 years coordinating dropout prevention. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher introduces us to the candidates.

Seattle Sounders FC to the Playoffs

Local soccer fans are over the moon. The Seattle Sounders FC are headed to the playoffs. That's not bad for their very first year as a major league soccer team. We'll check–in with the official "Sounders Nerd" at the Website Publicola.

12:20 p.m.

Boeing in South Carolina

Boeing's announcement about moving its second 787 Dreamliner production to South Carolina means future jobs will be in Charleston instead of Everett. They'll be nonunion jobs instead of members of the Machinists union. What's the significance of the decision for organized labor, Puget Sound, and Boeing? Is anyone to blame? Is everyone to blame?

Boeing 787 Line to South Carolina?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Losing a Line: Boeing Move

Boeing and the IAM have been unable to come to terms on a 10 year no–strike contract. The airline manufacturer will announce soon whether they'll build their second 787 production line here or in South Carolina. What impact would it have on Western Washington if Boeing moves new airline production to South Carolina?

12:20 pm

Referendum 71

State Representative Jamie Pedersen and initiative sponsor Larry Stickney discuss Referendum 71, the "everything–but–marriage–act."

Lessons Learned: WTO Demonstrations

The WTO protests 10 years ago changed the way police deal with mass demonstrations. We'll hear from the Seattle police officer who ordered mass arrests in 1999 and who now advises other cities on handling demonstrations.

12:40 pm

John Ortved on The Simpsons

The Simpsons have been America's favorite cartoon family for 20 years. We'll talk to the author of the uncensored and unauthorized oral history of The Simpsons, John Ortved. What do you want to know about the one of the most popular shows in television history? Call and talk to an expert on all things Homer.

Dennis Hayes, Selling Kidneys, and King County Executive Race

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

Constantine vs. Hutchison

The Dow Constantine and Susan Hutchison race for King County Executive is coming down to the wire. Amy Radil reports on the latest.

Officer Charged

An Everett Police officer faces murder charges after allegedly shooting a suspect seven times in the back. A legal affairs expert explains why it's rare for prosecutors to charge officers in cases like this, and why it's even more rare to secure a conviction.

12:20 p.m.

Buying and Selling Kidneys

Every year about a million people die because their kidneys have failed. The problem is there are not enough people willing to donate a kidney. What if there was a system to compensate kidney donors? Could such a system avoid the problem of poor people being exploited for their organs? Critics say a living kidney donation is maiming. Others believe there is a way to increase kidney donations without creating an organ trafficking problem. We'll hear both sides and your side.

12:40 p.m.

Dennis Hayes

Denis Hayes organized the first Earth Day event in 1970. Now he's head of the Bullitt Foundation. He joined us at the Fireside Room of the Sorrento Hotel for a conversation about the environment, energy and politics.

City Council Race, Library Cutbacks and Human Rights

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:05:00 -0800

12:00 p.m.

City Council Position 6

Longtime Seattle City Council member Nick Licata faces a tough challenge from Jesse Israel. KUOW's Liz Jones reports.

Budget Cuts

The Seattle Public library faces sharp cuts in hours because of the city's budget crunch.

Cheaper Textbooks

Bellevue College is trying a new program that allows students to borrow textbooks instead of purchasing them.

12:20 p.m.

Housing Levy

A coalition wants Seattle voters to renew the affordable housing levy. What will it cost us? What will we get?

Eating Oysters Makes Us Human?

Rowan Jacobsen's new book "The Living Shore" focuses on the oyster, its role in coastal tidewaters, and the tantalizing idea that eating oysters and their like makes us human.

12:40 p.m.

Eliminating Poverty

Overall economic growth has surged around the world in the past few decades. Yet grinding poverty and hunger afflict many parts of the world. Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan argues that we could go a long way toward eliminating poverty if we paid more attention to human rights.