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Controversy over Solar Power in the California Desert
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Controversy over Solar Power in the California Desert

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Barack Obama says the central front against terror is Afghanistan, not Iraq, but the transfer won't be quick, easy or cheap. We hear a rebroadcast of today's To the Point, with a notebook on George Bush's biggest regret as President. In Part II of our program, LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer responds to calls that he step down, and a solar project the size of Inglewood is planned for the Mojave Desert. Will so-called "clean energy" be good for the environment?

Banner image: Ausra's Kimberina Solar Energy Facility near Bakersfield, California

Main Topic

Shifting Focus in the War on Terror ()

When Iraq's parliament passed the new status of forces agreement with the US, Prime Minister Maliki called the three-year timetable for withdrawal of American troops "a momentous step" toward restoring Iraqi sovereignty.  Barack Obama plans to withdraw from Iraq and build up in Afghanistan, but neither project is going to be quick, easy or cheap, and the strategies that took so long to develop in Iraq's cities and deserts may not apply in Afghanistan's mountains and rural villages. We hear about the planning that's going on for a transition that's easier to talk about than it will be to accomplish. What are the obstacles? How long will it take? In the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Depression, How much will it cost? 

Guests:

Reporter's Notebook

Bush's Biggest Regret? Bad Intelligence ()

In what's called one of his first "exit interviews," President Bush has told Charles Gibson of ABC News that the thing he was least prepared for was the war in Iraq that started after the terror attacks of September 11. He also described his greatest regret. Richard Clarke, who served in the White House under three presidents, including George W. Bush, resigned in 2003 and is now chair of Good Harbor Consulting, a strategic planning and corporate risk-management firm.

Guests:
  • Richard Clarke: former Counterterrorism advisor on the National Security Council

Making News

LAUSD Superintendent Brewer Responds to His Critics ()

Monica Garcia, president of the elected LA Unified School Board, has been frustrated in her efforts to remove Superintendent David Brewer from his current job.  Last night on our program, Teachers' union president AJ Duffy repeated a familiar criticism: that the former admiral is well meaning and has a big heart, but that he's not up to the job. Tonight, Superintendent Brewer responds to his critics.

Guests:

Main Topic

Controversy over Solar Power in the California Desert ()

Today's Los Angeles Times reports that no less than 80 big solar projects are underway in California, including arrays of giant mirrors. One planned for the Mojave Desert would be the size of the City of Inglewood.  Environmentalists are divided about whether this form of alternative is really "green." Will this so-called "clean energy" be good for the environment?

Guests:
  • Larry Hogue: Communications Consultant, Desert Protective Council
  • Harry Atwater: Professor of Applied Physics and Materials Science, Caltech
  • John White: Executive Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology
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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.

 

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