The Booming Business of Christmas
Host:
Produced by:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Is Christmas too commercial or not commercial enough? In what's become a seasonal argument, we hear from a priest, a libertarian, an economist and advocate of a buy-nothing Christmas. Plus, charges filed against several marines in the deaths of 24 civilians in Iraqi city of Haditha.
Making News
Marine Charged in Haditha Killings ()
At Camp Pendleton today, four Marines were charged with un-premeditated murder in the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians last year in the town of Haditha. Four officers, who were not at the scene, were accused of failures in investigating and reporting the deaths.
Guests:
- Mark Walker: Reporter for San Diego's North County Times
Links:
Main Topic
The Commercialization of Christmas ()
With Christmas less than a week away, a lot of people are thinking about the hype, the commercialization and the consequent loss of Christian meaning. There are campaigns afoot to discourage Christmas shopping altogether. In this week's New Yorker magazine, James Surowiecki suggests a kind of compromise: "We might actually be happier--and we'd certainly be wealthier--if we exchanged small, well-considered gifts rather than haunting the malls." Is it more about material expectations and competition than good fellowship or Christian love? If we bought nothing at Christmas would spirituality be restored? Is Christmas too commercial or not commercial enough? We hear several shades of a familiar argument.
Guests:
- Jack Kyser: Chief Economist at the LA Economic Development Corporation
- Chris Probert: Social Marketing Manager for Adbusters magazine
- Yaron Brook: Executive Editor of the Ayn Rand Institute
- Willy Raymond: Priest at Holy Cross Family Ministry
Links:
A CD copy of Which Way L.A.? is a available by calling 1.888.600.5279.
Transcripts are not available.
Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
