We bring you the latest in politics, including Congress' year-end defense bill that's sparked controversy over starting a possible nuclear and space arms race; the British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced it will only nominate films meeting a new diversity threshold for two of its major categories; we want to hear about how you've survived through the holiday season's weirdest gifts; and more.
Politics roundup: Trump’s new trade council and the year-end defense bill that could kickstart a new space and nuclear arms race
President-elect Trump tweeted this morning that the US must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability.
That closely followed Russian President Putin's similar comments about his country's nuclear weapons needs. President Obama's also considering a defense bill that would emphasize space-based nuclear defense systems.
Are we on the verge of a new nuclear arms race?
Guests:
David Willman, investigative reporter, Los Angeles Times; Willman wrote: Congress scrapped this one word from the law, shaking up nuclear defense policy and opening the door to a space arms race
Nick Timiraos, national economics correspondent for The Wall Street Journal
As BAFTA makes unprecedented move to encourage film diversity, should the Oscars follow suit?
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced that it will only nominate films that meet a certain diversity threshold for two major award categories.
The new BFI Diversity Standards will apply to the categories of “outstanding British film” and “outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer” starting in 2019.
The new diversity mandate requires film productions to show that they have worked to increase the inclusion of groups such as women, ethnic minorities, the disabled both on-screen and behind-the-scenes.
Stateside, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have faced criticisms over the years for what some have called its lackluster approach to promoting diversity in Hollywood. In the wake of BAFTA’s move, should the Oscars consider something similar?
Guest:
Dominic Patten, Senior editor at the news and entertainment site, Deadline; he tweets @DeadlineDominic
‘Happy Holidays’ vs ‘Merry Christmas’ in a year when political correctness was front and center
It’s December, and aside from celebrations, libations and family gatherings, that means it’s time for the perennial “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas” debate.
According to a new survey report from the Public Religion Research Institute, the probability of which side you fall on can be predicted based on your political leanings. 66 percent of Democrats said stores should use general greetings, like “Happy Holidays,” while 67 percent of Republicans said businesses should stick with “Merry Christmas.” Independents are nearly evenly divided – 44 percent for “Happy Holidays” and 48 percent for “Merry Christmas.”
This is reflected in the microcosm of the executive branch as well. While campaigning, Trump repeatedly said he would bring back “Merry Christmas” – meanwhile Obama has recently sent out his eighth “Happy Holidays” card.
How should business greet their customers and why? Is your perspective rooted in political ideology?
Debating Trump's unconventional pick for ambassador to Israel
Since David Friedman was named America's ambassador-designate to Israel by Donald Trump last week, there has been a flood of reaction from all quarters indicating just how unconventional the appointment is.
A columnist in the Washington Post argues "Trump's choice ... is a danger to American Lives." In a seeming retort from The Jerusalem Post the headline proclaims "Sky won't fall with Trump's Israel ambassador pick." Democracy Now calls Friedman an "Ambassador for Apartheid," and the least defensive defense of Friedman can be found in "The Hill" where a rabbi argues "Friedman will shine [in his post]."
David Friedman has long ties to Israel's settler movement and has supported stances on the far-right of Israel's political spectrum, well beyond those of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Orthodox Jewish lawyer from New York has suggested Trump would support Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank, effectively eliminating the possibility of a Palestinian state. He has served as president of American Friends of Bet El Institutions, which provides financial support for settlements.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Vivian Bercovici, former Ambassador of Canada to Israel (2014-2016); her op-ed in the Wall Street Journal is 'Why Dipliomats Are Agog at Trump's ambassador to Israel'; she tweets
Diana Buttu, Ramallah-based political analyst and former advisor to the Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian negotiators; she tweets
LA Times explains how CalPERS new investment forecast will affect state, local budgets
As part of a collaboration with CALmatters and Capital Public Radio looking at the expansion of retirement benefits for public employees in California, the Los Angeles Times has been digging into how state and local government budgets could be impacted by updated projections for its investment portfolio.
The amount of taxpayer dollars going to the state pension fund has been slowly increasing since CalPERS altered its forecast four years ago and the result will mean state and local governments are footing the bill to the tune of millions, even billions of dollars.
For more on this story, check out the series reporting here.
Guest:
John Myers, Los Angeles Times Sacramento Bureau Chief
What’s the weirdest holiday gift you’ve ever received?
You’ve been there. Unwrapping a gift with hope and trepidation only to find that thing you’ve never wanted, or worse, can’t quite comprehend – a look of false joy paralyzed on your face as you assure the onlooking gift-giver that it’s what you always wanted.
DIY disasters, unwanted family heirlooms, offensive merchandise – whether it’s a white elephant exchange or an earnestly given present, the bright side of receiving an unusual or just plain awful gift is that it makes for a great story – and we want to hear yours!
What’s the weirdest gift you’ve received? How did you react? How have you put it to use?