Jordan's King Abdullah vowed a relentless war against the group calling itself Islamic State. Also, the FCC is reportedly ready to propose regulating Internet service like a utility. Then, “Last Days In Vietnam” chronicles the untold story of the members of the South Vietnamese military who tried to escape Saigon as the war drew to a close.
Why Jordanian pilot burning is ‘tipping point’ for Islamic State
Last night Jordan executed two jihadist prisoners in retaliation for Islamic State's burning alive of a captured Jordanian pilot, prompting many to identify this as a “tipping point” in the fight against the Islamic State group.
This morning, Jordan's King Abdullah vowed a relentless war against the group calling itself Islamic State and the country promised an earth-shaking response. Last night, Jordan hanged two jihadist prisoners in retaliation for the Islamic State’s burning alive of a captured Jordanian pilot. Tensions are high in Amman, with residents expressing grief and anger.
What options does Jordan have available? And is this really a tipping point for the Islamic State?
Guests:
Rania Abouzeid, independent journalist based in Beirut, covering the Islamic State in the Middle East, she contributes to the New Yorker and is formerly with TIME
Brian Michael Jenkins, senior advisor to the president of the RAND Corporation, expert on terrorism and homeland security
Former FCC head debates new, sweeping net neutrality rules
After a court case, an extended comment period, and politicization of the debate, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is about to issue a decision on net neutrality.
Whereas just a few months ago the FCC seemed poised to dismantle net neutrality (otherwise known as the principle that Internet Service Providers [ISPs] and those who regulate the Internet should treat all data and data sources equally), now the Commission appears to be headed in the opposite direction.
Today, FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler announced in "Wired" that he plans to use his “authority to implement and enforce open Internet protections.” Unlike the previous proposal to create a "fast lane" for providers who pay more that garnered significant criticism that it would tilt the Internet playing field, the new proposal will ban paid prioritization and regulate ISPs and telecommunications companies as public utilities, giving the FCC substantially more regulatory authority.
Should the FCC be able to regulate the Internet and its industry as a public utility? How will such a proposal affect you?
Guests:
Michael Copps, a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (2006-2011). He also served as Acting FCC Chairman in 2009
Jeffrey Eisenach, Director, Center for Internet, Communications, and Technology Policy at the American Enterprise Institute
Comedy writer and founder of first all-female mosque talks Islam
The nation’s first women-only mosque recently opened its doors in L.A. Founders Sana Muttalib and M. Hasna Maznavi wanted a place of worship for Muslim women where they feel welcome.
Worshippers don’t have to enter through a different door or sit away from the men. The downtown mosque also does away with the traditional dress code requirement: women don’t have to wear headscarves and can wear what they feel comfortable in. More than 150 women showed up for last Friday’s inaugural service, with some traveling from as far as New Jersey to attend.
Female-only mosques exist in China, the Women’s Mosque is believed to be the first of its kind in the country. Will it spread to other cities in the U.S.?
Guest:
M. Hasna Maznavi, Founder and Co-President, Women's Mosque located in Downtown Los Angeles. She's also a comedy writer and filmmaker
Reporters debate media’s handling of Bruce Jenner
Bruce Jenner’s alleged gender transition has been the subject of much tabloid speculation and coverage in recent weeks.
As the transgender community fights for civil rights and mainstream acceptance, will Jenner’s name and status open more eyes to the realities of transitioning? Or will it further sensationalize the transgender community?
We talk with an entertainment reporter and a transgender writer about how the media is handling the story and what it means for the transgender narrative in mainstream America.
Guest:
Kevin Fallon, Entertainment Reporter, The Daily Beast; (Briefly) a Red Carpet Reporter for US Weekly; “Is the Media Capable of Covering Bruce Jenner’s Transition With Respect?”
Thomas Page McBee, author of "Man Alive: A True Story of Violence, Forgiveness, and Becoming a Man." He’s contributed stories about gender and culture to The New York Times, the Atlantic.com, BuzzFeed, and VICE. He is currently the growth editor at the news site Quartz.
Coke's new pricey, protein-pumped milk; biz analyst weighs in
Coca-cola is unveiling a premium milk that has more protein, less sugar, zero lactose and twice the price.
The national rollout over the next several weeks is gambling that fortified, functional beverages will fill the void created by the unpopularity of soft drinks.
Who is the target market - families, athletes? What are the health pros and cons? Would you be interested in buying it?
Guest:
John Sicher, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest, a trade publication covering the non-alcoholic beverage industry
'Last Days In Vietnam' director discusses Oscar-nominated documentary
As the Vietnam War drew to a close in late April of 1975, the North Vietnamese Army began to surround Saigon as the last remaining factions of the South Vietnamese resistance faded away.
The U.S. began withdrawing its troops as it became increasingly more clear that Communism would prevail, but some members of the American military were concerned about their South Vietnamese counterparts, who would face imprisonment and possibly death upon the U.S. evacuation of the country.
“Last Days In Vietnam” chronicles the untold story of the members of the South Vietnamese military who tried to escape Saigon as the war drew to a close and the heroic Americans who risked their lives in a desperate effort to save as many lives as possible.
Director Rory Kennedy joins AirTalk to talk about the making of the film, the overwhelming response it got, and what she learned from it all.
Guest:
Rory Kennedy, director and producer of the film “Last Days In Vietnam,” which earned an Oscar nomination for best documentary.