Today on AirTalk, we discuss President Trump's proposal to interpret Judaism as a nationality, citing antisemitism on college campuses. We also take a took at a new study into how rising sea levels will impact the state; check-in on California's economy going into 2020; and more.
US DOJ Inspector General Cites “Basic and Fundamental Errors” In Russia Probe
The Justice Department's internal watchdog told Congress on Wednesday that he is concerned that “so many basic and fundamental errors" were made by the FBI as it investigated ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee comes two days after the release of a report that identified significant problems with applications to receive and renew warrants to eavesdrop on a former Trump campaign aide in 2016 and 2017. Despite those problems, the report also found that the FBI's actions were not motivated by partisan bias and that the investigation was opened for a proper cause. The partisan responses to his report were on display from the outset of the hearing. The Democratic and Republican leaders of the committee highlighted the findings they found most favorable to the points they wanted to make.
Democrats have seized on the inspector general's conclusion that the investigation was not tainted by political motivations. But Republicans say the findings show the investigation was fatally flawed. Attorney General William Barr, a vocal defender of President Donald Trump, said the FBI investigation was based on a “bogus narrative" and he declined to rule out that agents may have acted in bad faith. Horowitz told senators that the FBI failed to follow its own standards for accuracy and completeness when it sought a warrant from the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to monitor the communications of ex-campaign aide Carter Page.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Greg Myre, national security correspondent for NPR News
As Trump Plans To Sign Executive Order Interpreting Judaism As A Nationality, We Discuss Implications For Jewish Identity
President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Wednesday targeting antisemitism on college campuses, the White House said.
The order, which is likely to draw criticism from free speech advocates, will broaden the federal government’s definition of antisemitism and instruct it to be used in enforcing laws against discrimination on college campuses, according to three U.S. officials.
In the order, Trump is expected to tell the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism — which can include criticism of Israel — when evaluating discrimination complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Title VI bars discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin at colleges and universities that receive federal funding. One official said Trump’s order would make it clear that Title VI will apply to anti-Semitism as defined by the IHRA. That definition says antisemitism may include “targeting of the state of Israel.”
Previous attempts to clarify and codify the application of Title VI to anti-Semitic acts have become bogged down in debates over whether Judaism should be seen as race or is indicative of a national origin. Free-speech advocates have also expressed concerns that a broader definition of anti-Semitism might be used to limit criticism of Israeli government actions.
We discuss the planned move as well as its larger significance. If you identify as Jewish, how do you define your identity -- does it hinge on culture? Ties to Israel? Religion? Ethnicity? What are the implications of this policy change and how might it reverberate in different Jewish communities? We welcome your calls at 866-893-5722.
With files from The Associated Press
Guests:
David Lehrer, president of Community Advocates, Inc., a nonprofit organization looking at race relations; former Los Angeles regional director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for 27 years; he tweets
Talya Zax, deputy culture editor of the Forward, a 122-year-old Jewish publication based in New York; she tweets
Legislative Study Urges California To Act Immediately Against Rising Sea Levels
Sea levels are rising and Californians are at significant risk. Analysts say residents shouldn’t be naive in thinking the threats are a long ways off. They say the state is already behind when it comes to preparing.
According to the L.A. Times, studies find more than half a million residents in the state in addition to $150 billion in property are at risk of coastal flooding by the year 2100. A report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office is now urging the state to take action, especially within the next decade, before it’s too late. Analysts looked at a number of scientific studies and interviewed dozens of local governments, agencies, researchers and more. The report says, “Most responsibility for SLR preparation lies with local governments, however the state has a vested interest in ensuring the coast is prepared.” The study says regional partnerships, additional funding for testing strategies and technical assistance are all important aspects of combating sea level threats. The lead author of the study says the legislature should use the study to guide bills and budget decisions in the coming year.
Today on AirTalk, Larry sits down with the lead author of the report to discuss the findings. And the mayor of a coastal city joins the program.
Guests:
Rachel Ehlers, principal fiscal & policy analyst for the Legislative Analyst's Office, she’s the lead author of the legislative report
Robert Garcia, mayor of Long Beach; he tweets
The Impact Of A Controversial Child Porn Law And How It’s Affecting Therapists And Their Patients
The California Supreme Court is considering a challenge to a controversial state law that requires therapists to report patients who admit to watching child pornography. Two lower courts dismissed challenges to the law.
Failing to report could lead to a criminal fine or harsher punishments against the therapist, according to the LA Times. Many therapists have argued the rule discourages people from seeking help and treatment for porn addiction and that it turns therapists into police officers. And other experts say there are a lot of misconceptions around pedophilia and the state has played into them. But some argue the risks override privacy concerns because protecting minors is the priority.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the implications of the law and how it’s impacting therapists and patients. Are you a therapist? What do you think of the law? Should the Supreme Court take up the challenge or should the law remain in place as a means to protecting children? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Michael L. Alvarez, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Torrance, with a clinical specialization in addiction and problematic sexual behavior, he’s one of the therapists challenging the law
Dmitry Gorin, criminal defense attorney with the Los Angeles-based firm Eisner Gorin, LLP and a former trial prosecutor in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office; he tweets
Economy And Housing Check-In: What’s Going On In California And What’s Next
The California (and national) economy has been experiencing a long and steady expansion, which has some economists wondering when it’s going to end. According to Beacon Economics, the good times will keep rolling for at least another two years.
Beacon Economics latest quarterly forecast, released today, finds higher expected earnings and lower interest rates nationally, as well as employment growth in California. Labor growth in California is however limited by a lack of housing supply, which didn’t much improve in the course of the last year.
We check-in on the economy and housing market in California, and look ahead to 2020.
Guests:
Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, his focus includes economic forecasting, employment and labor markets and economic policy
Stuart Gabriel, professor of finance and Arden Realty Chair at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the director of the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate
Jordan Levine, deputy chief economist with the California Association of Realtors