Five stories that have North Texas talking: John Mackey explains, what's in it for Oprah, and more.
John Mackey, CEO of Austin-born Whole Foods, shocked some NPR listeners when he likened Obamacare to "fascism" on Morning Edition this week. It was a bad choice of words, Mackey told CBS This Morning just hours after part 2 of the NPR interview ran. He explained that to him, government limits on health care choices leave businesses fewer choices, reducing innovation. The comparison of our health care overhaul to Nazi Germany and Italy, that he regrets.
Mackey's treatise Conscious Capitalism: Liberating The Heroic Spirit Of Business is what landed him on air with Steve Inskeep in the first place. This New Yorker profile from 2010 referenced in the CBS interview offers a deeper look at the enigmatic libertarian. "I no longer drink alchohol around journalists," he told Nick Paumgarten, afraid he'd say too much.
- Lance Armstrong chose to confess his doping to Oprah Winfrey because of her loyal viewership, right? Not exactly. Oprah's cable channel OWN hasn't made any money yet, Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman reports. The cyclist's explicit admission to cheating is OWN's first "big get." Part two of "Oprah and Lance Armstrong: The Worldwide Exclusive" airs tonight. If you missed the anticipated first round of confession, here's a an excerpt loaded with justifications.
- We've heard Gov. Rick Perry's thoughts on federal measures to increase gun control. But what is actually in the works for Texas? Lawmakers have proposed at least 20 bills about handguns at public schools and college campuses. [Texas Tribune]
- A Dallas pastor gave NPR his take on the rise of Americans who don't identify with a religion today. Rev. Mike Baughman owns Union, a coffee shop near SMU. He says the right's stance on immigration isn't a good calling card. "If the church was known more for our efforts to welcome the stranger than to keep them out, I think the church would have greater credibility with rising generations." [NPR]
- As we look to Martin Luther King Day on Monday, it's worth it to review some less-documented civil rights struggles behind the North Texas we see now. You might know Denton's Quakertown Park as the site of Arts & Jazz Fest, Dogs Days of Summer and the many festivals touted by the city. The park is named for a black community that was ultimately pushed off its land. [HT City Councilmember Kevin Roden]