It's the first day back at school for kids and teachers in the St. Louis area. As debates continue over police trials, Ferguson protests and racism, has anything you have learned swayed your initial thoughts? Also, the Supreme Court will determine implications for the limits of free speech on Facebook and other social media sites.Then, a look at the man whose had more No. 1 records than the Beatles or Elvis: Bing Crosby.
Ferguson teacher asks students: When was the last time you changed your mind?
From the White House to classrooms to an NFL football field, the fallout continues in the aftermath of a Ferguson grand jury's decision last week not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown. It's the first day back at school for kids and teachers in the St. Louis area. Speaking on NPR's Morning Edition a Missouri school principal of a racially diverse high school said the events of last week offer a challenging learning opportunity. Principal Kevin Grawer said he'll ask students at Maplewood-Richmond Heights High, "When [is] the last time you allowed somebody to change the way you think about something?"
Meanwhile in Washington, President Barack Obama is meeting with young local and national civil rights leaders this afternoon. The conversation is said to focus on how law enforcement and communities can work together to build trust to strengthen neighborhoods across the country. Obama will also speak with police officials, faith leaders and politicians in the closed door meetings.
Also the St. Louis Police Officers Association is asking a small group of NFL players to reconsider their decision to make a symbolic gesture at a game yesterday. Five St. Louis Rams players walked on the field with their hands up in a "don't shoot" posture.
As debates continue over police trials, Ferguson protests and racism, has anything you have learned swayed your initial thoughts? When is the last time you "re-opened" your mind to heated controversy over a developing story and new information, emotions or analysis?
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
Jonathan Allen, DC Bureau Chief, Bloomberg News; Best-selling author of “HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton”
Ray Rice’s reinstatement and its impact on the NFL and Roger Goodell
An arbitrator lifted former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice’s indefinite suspension Friday, calling the NFL’s decision to extend its original two-game suspension of Rice to indefinite for knocking out his wife in a casino elevator “arbitrary.”
Ray Rice was arrested in February for what his lawyer described as a “minor physical alteration.” In June, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with the Rices and issued a two-game suspension, but expanded the ban indefinitely after a videotape surfaced showing the now-notorious elevator incident. Rice filed an appeal, contending that the NFL cannot penalize him twice for the same infraction and that unlike what Goodell had claimed, Rice was upfront with everything that happened in the elevator.
Barbara S. Jones, a former district court judge, sided with Rice Friday. "Because Rice did not mislead the commissioner and because there were no new facts on which the commissioner could base his increased suspension, I find that the imposition of the indefinite suspension was arbitrary. I therefore vacate the second penalty imposed on Rice. The provisions of the first discipline - those regarding making continued use of counseling and other professional services, having no further involvement with law enforcement, and not committing any additional violations of league policies - still stand."
Rice is immediately eligible to return to the field, but whether any team will take him on is another matter. What’s the impact of the reinstatement for Rice, the NFL, and league commissioner Roger Goodell?
Guests:
Nancy Armour, USA Today sports columnist
Daniel Lazaroff, director of the Loyola Sports Law Institute at Loyola Law School
SCOTUS: Social Media and Free Speech
Today, the Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments in a case that could have implications for the limits of free speech on Facebook and other social media sites. The case involves a Facebook post a man named Anthony Elonis made to his soon-to-be ex-wife, which read “Fold up your PFA [protection-from-abuse order] and put it in your pocket. Is it thick enough to stop a bullet?” The question is whether or not what Elonis did could be considered blowing off steam or whether his post could be considered a legitimate threat. To answer that question, one must first decide whether any reasonable person the rant targeted would consider it menacing or threatening.
Guest:
Lisa McElroy, Supreme Court scholar and associate professor of Law, Drexel University School of Law in Philadelphia
Frank LoMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center in Washington D.C. (one of the organizations who filed a brief with SCOTUS on behalf of the defendant, Anthony Elonis)
Paulette Sullivan Moore, Vice President of Public Policy at the National Network to End Domestic Violence in Washington D.C. (organization filed a brief on behalf of the plaintiff)
How schools handle abuse allegations against teachers
The $140-million settlement owed by the LA Unified School District to plaintiffs in the Miramonte School sex abuse case points to failures made. Some new policies have been instituted to prevent similar mistakes. In the aftermath of the 2012 arrest of now-convicted elementary school teacher Mark Berndt, LAUSD hired law enforcement personnel to lead investigations and expedite complaints of sexual misconduct and abuse. State-wide changes were made to laws governing teacher wrongdoing and dismissals. How have these reforms been working? Were they the appropriate fix? How can schools and parents talk to kids about the dangers of molestation - in a way that doesn't scare them?
Guests:
Bill Lucia, President and CEO, Edvoice - a nonprofit, grassroots network of parents, teachers and advocates that lobby Sacramento on education policy
Alex Caputo Pearl, President, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)
Bing Crosby Rediscovered: Exploring the life and career of one of America’s greatest performers
Once declared “the most admired man alive” ahead of Jackie Robinson, Bing Crosby was one of the most recognizable and beloved performers of the 20th century. Now, 37 years after his passing, some of his best and most iconic music is being re-released in a collection titled “American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered.” The album comes out Monday, just over a week before PBS airs its upcoming American Masters Show “Bing Crosby Rediscovered.” The album will feature several recordings of songs heard in the PBS film that were previously unreleased.
An actor and singer, Crosby was recognized the world over for his bass-baritone voice. Crosby’s career spanned more than 50 years and earned him three Academy Award nominations, including a win in 1945 for Best Lead Actor for his performance in Going My Way. He was also a multi-platinum recording artist and radio announcer. He’s one of only 22 people to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for music, radio, and film.
Crosby died in 1977 but his impact on the music, film, and radio world is still visible today. He was posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame for his contributions to radio.
The documentary, “American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered,” airs tomorrow night (Tuesday, Dec. 2) on K-O-C-E, PBS SoCal, at 8 p.m. PT.
Guests:
Kathryn Crosby, Bing Crosby’s wife
Mary Crosby, Bing Crosby’s daughter