The United States is deciding a strategy for acting in Syria. What action, if any, should the U.S. take against Syria? Then, new legislation could require all imitation guns in Los Angeles to be painted a neon color. Would that law really help protect police? Next, should political bloggers disclose their financial ties, and why is workers comp insurance going up for small businesses? Then, the Huffington Post will no longer allow anonymous commenters. Is this a good thing? Lastly, since Americans are facing a caregiver shortage, what will happen to the aging baby boomer population?
What should be the US's next step in Syria?
In a statement Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry called the use of chemical weapons in Syria “a moral obscenity” that demands action from the U.S. U.S. government officials have concluded that chemical weapons were used in the attack in the Damascus suburb last week, despite UN weapons inspectors again postponing their trip to the site out of concern for their own safety.
Now the question is what action the U.S. will take against Syria for crossing the “red line” President Obama outlined against the use of chemical weapons. This morning in an interview with BBC, defense secretary Chuck Hagel said the U.S. military is “ready to go” whenever the president decides on the course of action.
What action should the U.S. take against Syria? What are the different options and how would they affect Syrian civilians? Syria’s foreign minister said the country will defend itself with “all means available” in case of a U.S. attack. What’s the plan for ensuring domestic security?
Guests:
Christopher Harmer, Senior Naval Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, a think tank in DC.
Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics and Chair of Mid-Eastern Studies, University of San Francisco
Jim Walsh, research associate at the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Would painting all imitation guns a bright neon color really make Los Angeles safer?
The Los Angeles City Council proposed legislation that would require all imitation firearms such as BB devices and Airsoft pistols to have their surfaces painted a distinct color. The idea is that law enforcement would then be able to easily distinguish between imitation firearms and the real device.
The motion was first introduced in June after two officer involved shootings involving imitations firearms. Some hope the proposal would protect officers from shootings that involve toy or imitation guns. Some believe the law might have the opposite effect, as criminals could then mask their real guns by painting them bright colors. Proponents also argue that parents may have a false sense of security when giving their children brightly colored guns that they are safer.
Will a brightly colored BB or pellet gun help protect police? How will it impact firearm business?
Guest:
Maria Gao, Counsel for Evike.com
Political bloggers might need to disclose financial ties
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is calling for blogger transparency. The FPPC is considering regulations that would disclose the political backings of bloggers and internet commentators. Political campaigns would have to file a report with the name of each person receiving payment and the websites in which their services appear. Then, when reading political opinions online, the public will be able to distinguish between paid and unpaid content.
Did you know some bloggers are supported by political campaigns? Would disclosing their financial ties influence your reading of their opinions? Is the FPPC overreaching by trying to regulate online content?
Guests:
Ann Ravel, Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission
Steve Maviglio, co-publisher of the California Majority Report, a Democratic blog. And principal at Forza Communications
Small businesses feel sticker shock from workers' comp insurance hikes
A spot survey by the Los Angeles Business Journal found some local employers hit with premium hikes exceeding 40 percent in the last year for workers' compensation insurance. The shock is especially startling because legislation (SB863) passed last year was supposed to reform the ins and outs of workers compensation to nearly everyone's satisfaction. However, the Journal found some extreme examples.
For instance, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association got a rate increase of 59 percent for its seven employees working in an office environment. While no hard data is available on state-wide rate hikes, one employer lobbying firm says the average increase has been 23 percent in the last year. However, the insurance carriers say their rates only rise if businesses are deemed higher risk environments.
If you're a business owner, what has been your experience with workers' compensation premiums? What factors are causing the hikes? Is this the new normal for premiums? Or could the effects of 863 bring the rates back down?
Guests:
Stuart Waldman, CEO, Valley Industry and Commerce Association - a non-profit representing businesses in the San Fernando Valley
Pete Moraga, Spokesman, Insurance Information Network of California - an insurance industry association
Brad Chalk, Legislative Director, California Applicants’ Attorneys Association
Huffington Post will no longer allow anonymous commenters
Starting next month the Huffington Post is putting an end to its anonymous commenters. All users will have to create verifiable accounts with the HuffPost. Although names do not have to be attached to each comment, random commenters without accounts will not be allowed to post. The HuffPost explained that choosing accountability over anonymity will improve its content, cause commenters to own up to their posts and develop its online community. Also, this would get rid of trolls that fill up precious on-screen space.
What led them to this decision? Will it improve the comments and the quality of the HuffPost? Or will it scare legitimate commenters away? Does this open the door to personally attacking HuffPost users? Are you an online commenters? Do you prefer anonymity? Why?
Guest:
Jimmy Soni, Managing Editor, the Huffington Post Media Group
Who will care for aging baby boomers?
Americans are facing a huge shortage of caregivers for older and disabled people in the coming decades, according to a new report released Monday by AARP. The problem stems from a variety of factors, including the large number of baby boomers who are living longer, and have had relatively fewer children than earlier generations. The abundance of baby boomers – people born between 1946 and 1964 –means many of them are able to take care of their aging parents or ailing family members.
But according to AARP’s report, within the next 20 years, when boomers hit their 80s and need help of their own, there won’t be enough hands available. Consider these sobering findings: In 2010, there were 7.2 potential caregivers (ages 45-64 or the average age of caregivers) for every person age 80-plus. In 2030, that caregiver ratio will drop to 4 to 1 and by 2050, when all boomers will be in late life, the ratio becomes less than 3 to 1. In 2050, there will be three times as many people age 80-plus as there are today. In other words, counting on your family to provide long-term care is probably unrealistic in the future. And most people can’t afford paid caregivers.
So who will care for the baby boomers when they need it? Knowing that we’ll have fewer caregivers and more people who want to stay home for long-term care, how can we do a better job of providing that?
Guests:
Donald Redfoot, Senior Strategic Policy Advisor with AARP's Public Policy Institute and lead author of the report “The Aging of the Baby Boom and the Growing Care Gap: A Look at Future Declines in the Availability of Family Caregivers”
Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director, Family Caregiver Alliance