John Boehner wants to cut oil subsidies. Marina Del Rey needs a face-lift. Katie Couric leaving: Is this the end of the news anchor? Patt Morrison previews the royal wedding. And, the latest news.
Born in the USA
During Barack Obama’s 2008 run for presidency, opponents and critics repeatedly raised the question of his citizenship. In response to rumors that he was not born in Hawaii, as he claimed, his campaign released a certificate of live birth, which was then deemed “insufficient” by die-hard critics. Recently real estate and entertainment mogul Donald Trump, who is contemplating a run for the White House, has once again called for proof that Obama was born in this country. The White House, which has long resisted requests to produce the president’s long-form birth certificate, yesterday released the document to reporters and also posted it on their website. Does this put to rest any doubts about Obama’s eligibility for office? Should the White House have averted controversy by releasing his birth certificate sooner? Is the whole issue just a distraction orchestrated to sabotage Obama’s reelection campaign?
Boehner wants to cut oil subsidies
During an ABC News interview on Tuesday House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said he would consider cutting multi-million dollar tax subsidies to oil companies, saying “it’s certainly something we should be looking at.” Traditionally, Republicans have been very supportive of oil subsidies, claiming that removing them would increase the cost of petroleum based energy and make high gas prices go even higher (though experts say that might not truly be a consequence). Although President Obama has supported the removal of oil subsidies during the last Congress, repealing the tax breaks now could translate into 6 dollars a gallon at the pump, a possible death knell for his re-election. Removing the subsidies would provide about $4 billion of revenue yearly to the federal government, an obvious boon to the cash strapped federal budget, and would also counter Democratic criticism that Republicans unfairly protect the financial interests of the oil industry. Is Speaker Boehner serious about his intention to look at repealing the oil subsidies? Is his party feeling the heat from progressives who criticize Republicans for cutting social welfare without considering cuts to “corporate welfare?” Or did he just stick his foot in his mouth? What type of proposal could the Dems and GOP agree on?
Guests:
Doyle McManus, Washington columnist for the Los Angeles Times
Rayola Dougher, Senior Economic Advisor, American Petroleum Institute
Phil Verleger, David E. Mitchell/EnCana Professor of Management at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business
Marina del Rey might be getting a facelift
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Supervisors passed a motion to develop new business and residential properties along the marina, but some local residents say the plans don’t fit the community, and would harm existing wetland and recreation areas.
Guest:
Don Knabe, LA County Supervisor, Fourth District
David Barish, resident and representative of We Are Marina del Rey
Good night, and good luck, forever?
Five years ago Katie Couric made headlines as the first woman to anchor a network evening news broadcast. Her $15 million dollar salary – more than the combined budgets of NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered --has made news as well. Many feel her salary was unjustified since the CBS Evening News has remained in third place since before Couric took the chair in 2006. This week, it was announced that Couric is leaving the show at the end of May. The change underscores a general decline in evening “appointment” news viewing over the past decade. What’s luring viewers away from their nightly dose of news? With the advent of cable news, webcasts, text updates and the 24-hour news cycle, do people still turn to the networks for reliable coverage? Are the days of the trusted figure behind the desk gone forever?
Guest:
Chris Ariens, Editorial Director of mediabistro.com, and Editor of TVnewser blog
Patt Morrison previews the royal wedding with Larry Mantle
We are less than 48 hours away from the wedding of the year, possibly the decade -- Prince William and Kate Middleton's nuptials will mark the first marriage of British royalty in 30 years. The coveted invites have been sent out. The seating charts revealed. And The bookies are taking bets on every conceivable variable: who will shed a tear? What color of hat will the Queen wear? And of course, what gown has Kate chosen? The event has taken over London this week. Security is heavy and tight. How will the pomp compare to the wedding of Diana and Prince Charles? To regale us with all the details, AirTAlk has Patt Morrison, KPCC's resident royal wedding expert, joinging Larry to guide us through the intricacies of such a historical and grand affair.
Guest:
Patt Morrison, host of The Patt Morrison Show on KPCC