More Toys Recalled; Illegal Wildlife Smuggling in Los Angeles; Afghanistan: Are We Losing the 'Good' War?; Fast Tracking Death Penalty Appeals
More Toys Recalled
Toy giant Mattel Inc. issued recalls today for 9 million Chinese-made toys that contain magnets which could have lead paint. This is the latest blow to the toy company, which two weeks ago recalled 1.5 million Chinese-made preschool toys due to lead content. Larry talks with Dr. Urvasha Rangen of Consumers Union, and asks listeners to voice their concerns about Chinese-made toys and safety.
Illegal Wildlife Smuggling in Los Angeles
According the U.S. District Attorney, more illegal wildlife is being smuggled into Los Angeles' ports and airports than ever before. Rare or endangered primates, cats, birds, fish and other animals are being found in backpacks, cargo containers, and even in the mail. Larry talks with Marie Palladini of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public Affairs officer for the U.S Attorney's office Tom Mrozek, and Peter Jenkins of the Defenders of Wildlife about the problem.
Afghanistan: Are We Losing the 'Good' War?
In 2001, U.S. forces attacked Afghanistan in an effort to destroy Al Qaeda and overthrow the Taliban. Special Forces backed up the Northern Alliance with intelligence and precision air strikes, which quickly turned the tide and forced the Taliban from power. But the U.S. plan failed to destroy the Taliban or Al Qaeda, which retreated into the border areas with Pakistan. Since then, both groups have come back with a vengeance and the situation is growing worse. Larry talks with New York Times investigative reporter David Rohde, Larry Goodson of the U.S. Army War College and Thomas Donnelly of the American Enterprise Institute about the danger of losing the war in Afghanistan.
Fast Tracking Death Penalty Appeals
A new regulation within the Justice Department could give Attorney General Alberto Gonzales new power over death penalty cases in California and other states. Larry discusses the provision in the Patriot Act that would allow the Attorney General to shorten the time that death row inmates have to appeal their convictions to federal courts with Kathryn Kase of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and Republican Congressman Dan Lungren.