John Kerry made his case for military intervention in Syria in a press conference this morning. Did he change your opinion of whether the US should take action? Then we'll discuss whether police wearing cameras on their person would improve their behavior and that of suspects. And later, our critics talk with Larry about the Labor Day weekend releases and we'll find out what's happening in the porn industry these days. TGI-FilmWeek!
John Kerry makes case for acting in Syria
In a press conference this morning, Secretary of State John Kerry made a case for U.S. military intervention in Syria, saying there’s clear evidence that the Syrian government was responsible for last week’s chemical attack on civilians outside Damascus. There were more than 1,400 victims, including 426 children of the attack according to an unclassified intelligence report released by the Obama administration.
The U.S. chemical weapons assessment says President Bashar al-Assad’s government used an unidentified nerve agent. President Obama has said he plans to respond with a limited missile attack on Syria, despite Britain’s unwillingness to participate and opposition from many who say the decision should be deferred to Congress.
Does Kerry’s speech make a compelling case for intervention in Syria? Has the Obama administration convinced you that it’s time to intervene again in the Middle East? If not, what is still missing?
Guest:
Carrie Budoff Brown, Senior White House Reporter for POLITICO
Will more cop cams improve behavior of police AND suspects?
More law enforcement agencies are using on-body video cameras to hold police officers accountable while on duty. There has been a steady use of dash board cameras over the years, but the on-body cameras capture not only the point of view of the officer, but follow the officers once they leave the car. Not everyone is a supporter of the program, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a press conference that it’s a “solution that’s not a solution to the problem.”
In Rialoto California, the city has become a poster city for the cameras with its pilot program. Since the cameras were introduced last year, the number of complaints against officers fell by 88 percent within the year. Officers using force fell by nearly 60 percent within that same year. In Los Angeles, while most police cars have the dashboard cams, there is concern over spending money paying for the smaller on-body video cameras for all the officers.
Do you think the on-body cameras are necessary for the police force? Does it help hold suspects and officers accountable? Should the city spend resources and money to give each officer one?
Guest:
Mark W. Clark, 27-year veteran police sergeant; Contributing editor to “Police Magazine
Filmweek: Getaway, Closed Circuit, Passion and more
Larry and KPCC film critics Henry Sheehan and Andy Klein review this week’s releases, including Getaway, Closed Circuit, Passion and more. Which movies should you catch this Labor Day weekend? Also, film critic Peter Rainer is at the Montreal World Film Festival. TGI-Filmweek!
Getaway
Closed Circuit
Passion
Drinking Buddies
Guests:
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and the L.A. Times Community Papers chain
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor; author of “Rainer on Film: Thirty Years of Film Writing in a Turbulent and Transformative Era;” he is in Montreal for the festival.
Is Los Angeles still a porn production hub after Measure B passed?
Back in November, voters passed Measure B, which required adult film performers throughout L.A. County to wear condoms during porn shoots and also get permits from the health department. The adult film industry tried to defeat the measure by arguing that it would hurt business and drive porn production out of LA. But voters disagreed and passed the measure by 57 percent. Earlier this month, a federal court defeated a lawsuit filed by two adult film studios, Vivid Entertainment and Califa Productions, and ruled that the requirement is constitutional.
How has the porn industry been affected in the months since measure B passed? Have adult video production companies closed up shop and moved out of LA? Or has porn production moved underground and continued without getting the required permits?
Guests:
Mark Kernes, senior editor for legal affairs at Adult Video News network
Chauntelle Tibbals, a sociologist and a lecturer at Cal State Northridge
Jessica Drake, adult video performer and director