AirTalk brings you the latest on the DNC’s lawsuit alleging that Trump campaign associates conspired with the Russian government and hacked the Democratic Party’s computer networks. We also dive into the new study on NorCal’s Hayward Fault; review this week’s movie releases on FilmWeek; and more.
DNC files lawsuit alleging Trump campaign conspired with Russia, WikiLeaks to influence elections
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) filed a lawsuit in the federal district court in Manhattan Friday against Russia, WikiLeaks and the Trump campaign alleging that the three entities conspired to disrupt the 2016 presidential campaign.
The suit alleges that Trump campaign associates conspired with the Russian government and hacked the Democratic Party’s computer networks, circulating stolen material found there, according to the Washington Post.
The DNC is seeking millions of dollars in compensation for the alleged damage suffered from the hacks.
Guests:
Kyle Cheney, congressional reporter for Politico
Jack Lerner, law professor and director of the Intellectual Property, Arts, and Technology Clinic at UC Irvine School of Law where his focus includes electronic voting and technology law
A new study says the San Andreas fault isn’t the most dangerous in CA
A new report from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that there’s a more dangerous, though lesser known, fault running through densely populated areas of the East Bay.
In the event of a magnitude 7 earthquake, nearly 800 people could be killed, with an injury estimate of 18,000.
What precautions can the region take to avoid a potential disaster? We discuss the new study with its lead author and examine the economic impact of a potential East Bay quake.
Guests:
Ken Hudnut, lead author on The HayWired Earthquake Scenario, a study on the
Hayward fault; geophysicist and science advisor for risk reduction for the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Anne Wein, co-author of The HayWired Earthquake Scenario study; disaster and resilient analyst, and a principal investigator with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in the Western Geographic Science Center in California
Schumer introducing legislation to decriminalize marijuana federally – what would that mean for states?
Not coincidentally, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to introduce legislation today to decriminalize marijuana, which is on the list of scheduled substances along with drugs like heroin.
The bill would let each state decide whether to allow the commercial sale of cannabis, ending the legal grey space that many marijuana businesses find themselves in.
Various polls show that there is support for legalizing cannabis throughout the U.S. According to a recent CBS News poll, six in ten Americans think it should be legalized. A Pew Research Center poll put the number at 61 percent in favor of legalization, with 70 percent support among millennials.
What would it take to decriminalize marijuana federally and how would states negotiate their laws with the federal government? And what are the attitudes of Americans towards legalization?
Guests:
Frank Newport, editor-in-chief for the Gallup Poll; he tweets
John Schroyer, senior reporter at Marijuana Business Daily
Jay Wexler, expert in constitutional and cannabis law; professor of law at Boston University
FilmWeek: ‘I Feel Pretty,’ ‘Traffik,’ ‘Quai des Orfevres’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Wade Major review this weekend’s new movie releases.
"I Feel Pretty" in wide release
"Traffik" in wide release
"Quai des Orfevres" ("Quay of the Goldsmiths," 1947 re-release) at Laemmle's Royal Theatre
"The Heart of Nuba" at Laemmle's Music Hall
"Super Troopers 2" in wide release (did not screen for critics)
"Kodachrome" at The Landmark Theatre and streaming on Netflix
"Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami" at Nuart Theatre & Edwards University Town Center
"Western" at Laemmle's Music Hall
"Godard Mon Amour" at Laemmle's Royal Theatre
"Lives Well Lived" at Laemmles' Playhouse, Town Center & Monica Film Center & Regency Directors Cut Cinema at Rancho Niguel
"The Judge" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center
Critics' Hits
Christy: "Quai des Orfevres" & "Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADlbfZDkU5U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya7yeAXU_Cw
Wade: "Heart of Nuba" & "Godard Mon Amour"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VxHM-KBuBU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK8dG88BHR4
Mixed Feelings
Christy: "I Feel Pretty"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc_mj3b3QzI
Wade: "Kodachrome" & "Western"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3IvVejktJE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBGefOMPmLg&t=29s
Misses
Christy: "Traffik"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz-XiYNCo7o
Guests:
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of YouTube’s “What the Flick?”; she tweets
Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and CineGods.com
Actors’ union calls for nixing auditions in private hotel rooms or residences
The union representing actors is calling for an end to a practice that over the years has been fairly common in Hollywood: holding auditions in private hotel rooms or residences.
The guideline is part of a larger expansion of SAG-AFTRA’s Code of Conduct, which was unveiled in February and seeks to address and change some of the industry practices that led to predatory behavior by Harvey Weinstein and other Hollywood figures who are accused of using their power and status to sexually harass and abuse women. In addition to the call for an end to “professional meetings in private hotel rooms or residences,” the guideline says that if there is no reasonable alternative to an audition like this, members are encouraged to take a “support peer” for safety and support. The union has not said how it plans to enforce the guideline, though it is asking members who experience or witness any behavior that might constitute breach of contract.
We’ll talk with SAG-AFTRA’s president about the new guideline and hear reactions from AirTalk listeners in the film industry. If you work in the industry, what do you think of SAG-AFTRA’s new guideline and the impact it will have on how auditions are handled?
Guest:
Gabrielle Carteris, president of SAG-AFTRA; she tweets