Today the Senate voted along party lines to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court - we discuss what that means for cases in the pipeline; we examine the U.S. airstrike on Syria and what it means for our foreign policy going forward; plus, Larry and film critics review the latest movies for FilmWeek; and more.
How Justice Gorsuch could likely influence the next docket of Supreme Court decisions
After voting yesterday to employ the nuclear option to lower the vote threshold needed to end a filibuster on a Supreme Court nominee, today the Senate voted along party lines to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacant seat on the United States Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has been operating with only 8 justices since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016, but Gorsuch’s confirmation creates a conservative majority within the Court.
So what’s next for the largest court in the land? How will Gorsuch’s appointment change the dynamic of the court, and what are the upcoming cases that he’ll have an impact on?
Guests:
Derek Muller, associate professor of law at Pepperdine School of Law
Erwin Chemerinsky, founding dean of the School of Law at UC Irvine and an expert on constitutional law, federal practice and appellate litigation
In major foreign policy move, Trump orders airstrike in Syria: Analysis, updates
In what is seen as a foreign policy aboutface, President Donald Trump last night ordered a missile strike on an airfield in Syria, after the use of chemical weapons by Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria.
In ordering the strike, Trump has broken away from his “America First” stance to again wade in on an ongoing conflict overseas. Reactions from Congress have been swift, with many Republicans backing the president’s move. Some Democrats have criticized Trump for not seeking congressional approval before launching the attack.
Guests:
Nabih Bulos, Beirut-based reporter for the Los Angeles Times, who’s been following the story
Susan Glasser, Chief International Affairs Correspondent at POLITICO; she tweets
Nicholas Heras, fellow at the Center for a New American Security and expert on ISIS strategy and tactics
Brian Katulis, senior fellow for national security at the Center for American Progress. His latest piece on the Syrian airstrike was published earlier today on Foreign Policy
FilmWeek: ‘Going in Style,’ ‘Smurfs: The Lost Village’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases including:
- "Going in Style" in wide release
- "Smurfs: The Lost Village" in wide release
- "Colossal" at ArcLight Hollywood & The Landmark
- "Gifted" at ArcLight Pasadena, The Landmark, AMC Century City and other select theaters
- "Their Finest" ArcLight Hollywood and The Landmark
- "Salt and Fire" at Arena Cinelounge Sunset
- "Your Name" (English dub release) at ArcLight Sherman Oaks and Laemmle's Monica Film Center
- "Cezanne and I" at Laemmle's Playhouse, Laemmle's Royal Theatre and Laemmle's Town Center
- "Tickling Giants" at Laemmle's Music Hall
Critics' Hits
Tim: "Cezanne and I"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNYVwvUvAj0
Peter: "Their Finest" & "Tickling Giants"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMh1EvAQOQ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVwUrbGcxZ4
Charles: "Your Name"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4-URMnBOPU
Mixed Feelings
Tim: "Gifted"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI01wBXGHUs
Peter: "Colossal"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqcZtz8VXXE
Charles: "Smurfs: The Lost Village"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3iY8Pxyr1E
Misses!
Tim: "Salt and Fire"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s5N4fupIZE
Guests:
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC and Alt-Film Guide; he tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
‘Alive and Kicking’ director and 97-year-old ‘Queen of Swing’ on the joys of swing dancing
Swing dancing is undergoing something of a renaissance, both here in the United States and internationally, with big hot spots in London and Sweden.
Director Susan Glatzer captures the recent boom and how the Lindy Hop is still “Alive and Kicking” in her new documentary, which also features legendary “Queen of Swing,” Norma Miller.
Host Larry Mantle speaks with both the director and Miller on how swing dancing has evolved since its birth among African-Americans in Harlem, and the ways it’s helped people from all over the world overcome adversity and find happiness in their lives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCXbWC6KbxA
Guests:
Susan Glatzer, director of the swing dance documentary, “Alive and Kicking”
Norma Miller, Lindy Hop dancer and the “Queen of Swing”