Republicans hold the line on tax cuts. Kamala Harris wins and will become California's first female Attorney General. Orange County journalists roundtable. The ins and outs of Do Not Track legislation. NPR's ombudsperson Alicia Shepard takes questions about NPR's policies.
The GOP’s lame duck power plays
Congressional Republicans have agreed to work with Dems on expiring tax cuts, but at a price. Armed with post-election vigor, the GOP says they will hold all other legislation hostage until a deal is reached on tax cuts. But the Dems have big hopes for passing other pieces of legislation before the end of the year and won't take kindly to being manhandled. Will this mean across the board extensions for Bush era tax cuts? And how can the White House maneuver in the final weeks of the session to ensure Democratic wins as well?
Guest:
John Maggs, White House reporter for POLITICO
Kamala Harris (finally and officially) wins California’s Attorney General race
Nearly a month after election day Kamala Harris has officially beaten Republican Steve Cooley in a close contest. With her victory, Democrats made a clean sweep of major elections in California in a year when Republican and Tea Party candidates made major gains nearly everywhere else in the country. Harris’ multi-ethnic background creates a bevy of firsts – when she takes office she will be the first woman, African-American, and Asian-American attorney general in California and the first Indian-American attorney general in the United States. What does her victory mean for California? How was she able to eke out a win as an underdog?
Guest:
Kamala Harris, California Attorney General-elect
Orange County journalists roundtable
Orange County Journalists Roundtable: Larry and our talented trio of Orange County journalists riff about the latest news from the OC. Top stories up for discussion include: a developer deal in San Joan Capistrano that may serve to avoid a costly special election, bad food at John Wayne Airport, George Bush at the Saddleback forum, a lawsuit by a disabled pair to make Balboa Island more accessible, and how PETA is trying to halt elephant rides at the Santa Ana Zoo.
Guests:
Gustavo Arellano, Managing Editor of the OC Weekly and author of Ask A Mexican
William Lobdell, Orange County-based freelance journalist and columnist for the Daily Pilot in Newport Beach
Teri Sforza, Staff Writer, OC Register
Do Not Track legislation - is now the time?
The Federal Trade Commission released a long awaited report on protecting consumer privacy on the internet by instituting a “Do Not Track” option similar to the “Do Not Call” registry for telemarketers. Currently, companies can track consumer web use for targeted advertising, raising privacy concerns. In the new plan, consumers would be able to choose whether they will allow companies to track their usage or not. But can this sort of broad directive really be implemented? And how will internet advertising be affected? Plus, haven’t Facebook users already kissed that kind of privacy good-bye?
Guest:
Kashmir Hill, blogger at Forbes.com she covers internet privacy issues
Got a question or criticism about NPR policies? Ask away
Are you still fuming about the firing of Juan Williams? Do you think NPR over stepped its bounds by banning its employees from attending John Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity? Should NPR be de-funded or defended? Ombudsman Alicia Shepard makes herself available to KPCC’s audience and invites your questions and comments about policies at NPR.
Guest:
Alicia Shepard, NPR Ombudsman