Governor Proposes Shorter School Year; Orange County Journalists Roundtable; L.A. May Expand Smoking Ban; In Defense of Dolphins
Governor Proposes Shorter School Year
Governor Schwarzenegger would like to shorten the school year by five days to save more than $1 billion. Teachers are critical of the proposal, saying they have trouble fitting the state's academic standards into the existing 180-day calendar. Schwarzenegger says the cut is needed to help bridge the state's $42 billion dollar budget deficit.
Orange County Journalists Roundtable
Larry Mantle talks with Gustavo Arellano, OC Weekly staff writer, William Lobdell, Orange County journalist, and Orange County Register senior editorial writer and columnist, Steven Greenhut, about the latest news events and developments in Orange County.
L.A. May Expand Smoking Ban
Outdoor dining areas are now the target of an anti-smoking law proposed by the city's arts and parks committee. Smoking would be banned within 10 feet of any outdoor establishment that serves food. Bars with outdoor areas and other 18-years-and-older venues would be exempt. If the City Council approves, the law could be in place this summer.
In Defense of Dolphins
Are humans unique in their feelings and intellect, and does this justify their treatment of other species? As a Professor of Business Ethics at Loyola Marymount University and the US Ambassador for the UN's 2008 Year of the Dolphin program, Thomas White has studied the science of dolphin behavior. In his book, "In Defense of Dolphins: The New Moral Frontier", White argues that--like humans--dolphins are intelligent, self-aware beings with emotions and personalities that are capable of controlling their actions. Accordingly, White reasons that dolphins should be regarded with higher ethical consideration as "nonhuman persons". Combining scientific evidence and first-hand accounts with ethical analysis, he makes the case that dolphins should not be injured or held captive by humans. Larry Mantle talks with Thomas White about his work.