We dive into the latest in politics, including the declassified version of the intel report on Russia hackings released Friday; the newly introduced bill AB 63 would raise the provisional driver's license age from 18 to 21; AirTalk listeners share horror stories from the sharing economy, like Uber and Airbnb; and more.
Airtalk politics: Reaction to declassified Russia report, the latest on the border wall, and previewing Senate hearings on cabinet appointees
We’re learning more about Russian hacking aimed at influencing the recent presidential election after a declassified version of the intel report given to the U.S. Intelligence Community was released on Friday.
It concludes that Russian President Vladimir Putin was pulling the strings behind the cyber campaign which, according to the report, sought to discredit then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the hopes of propping up Donald Trump, Moscow’s preferred candidate. President-elect Trump and his transition team downplayed the report’s release.
President-elect Trump made news elsewhere when he said that Mexico would pay the U.S. back for building the border wall that was one of his biggest campaign promises. He says the money would come from his renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
We’ll also tackle the President-elect’s directive that all Obama-appointed foreign envoys must leave their posts by January 20th, Inauguration Day. In the past, envoys have been given grace periods to vacate their posts before new ambassadors are appointed. Plus, Senate confirmation hearings for Trump cabinet appointees begin this week, but some are concerned about the hearings beginning before background checks and ethics clearances have been completed.
Guests:
Lynn Vavreck, professor of political science at UCLA; she tweets
John (Jack) Pitney, professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College
Mary Louise Kelly, National Security Correspondent for NPR who’s been following the story
What did you think of Meryl Streep's Golden Globes speech?
Meryl Streep's criticism of Donald Trump took much of the attention at last night's Golden Globes.
Streep’s acceptance speech for a lifetime achievement award was crafted into a compelling defense of Hollywood, foreigners and the press.
The actress never mentioned Trump by name, but it was clear who her target was in pointedly saying that a performance from the past year that stunned her came from the campaign trail. She noted an incident where "the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country" imitated a disabled reporter from The New York Times.
"It kind of broke my heart when I saw it," she said. "I still can't get it out of my head, because it wasn't in a movie. It was real life."
President-elect Trump took to Twitter this morning calling Meryl Streep "one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood" following her speech last night night at the Golden Globe awards.
What stood out for you from the Streep speech and reaction that has followed?
Who was the intended audience and what was the speech's likely effect? Let us know what you think by calling in at 866-893-5722 or tweeting us
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New bill would require California drivers under 21 to hold provisional licenses
Assembly Bill 63, introduced by California Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D-Oakley), seeks to up the age new drivers must hold a provisional driver’s license from 18 to 21, in the hopes of reducing teen driving accidents.
A provisional driver’s license comes with a number of restrictions during the first 12 months of use. In California, it limits drivers from operating vehicles between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and bars them from carrying passengers under the age of 20 unless accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older.
AirTalk’s Larry Mantle spoke with Steve Barrow, a spokesperson for the California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health, and Scott Shackford, an associate editor at Reason.com, to hear both sides of the debate.
"Eighteen- and 19-year-old drivers — new, first-time drivers — have a crash rate 60 percent higher than 16- and 17-year-old drivers that have gone through the provisional license program," Barrow said. "Their crash rate is incredibly high and incredibly dangerous."
According to Barrow, upping the age requirement for a provisional license would give young adults the benefit of a safer driving experience.
Shackford disagreed, saying this bill would restrict the right of travel for 18- to 21-year-olds.
"What we're proposing is controlling when adults can drive their vehicles, and that is a restriction of civil liberties," said Shackford. "The reality is, driving is getting safer ... If you look at the larger picture, I really don't see the number that justifies regulations that diminish the rights of young adults to drive."
Interviews have been edited for clarity. To hear the full segment, click the blue playhead above.
Guests:
Steve Barrow, spokesperson for California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health, an advocacy organization and supporter of AB 63
Scott Shackford, an associate editor at Reason.com, the online publication of the Reason Foundation, a libertarian organization. He’s been following the story
Is sharing always caring? AirTalk listeners’ horrific tales from the gig economy
Uber drivers who drive uber fast, perturbed Postmates, or an Airbnb that could use some airing out; these are just some of the ways your gig economy experience can go horribly wrong.
Sure, it’s great to have the option to order an Uber or Lyft at 1 a.m. when you need a sober ride home, but the drive can become a buzzkill if your driver is trying to recreate 2 Fast 2 Furious or, as was recently the case for one of AirTalk’s producers, he/she won’t stop trying to sell you homemade candies. And, of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Maybe you had a truly traumatic experience with a short-term rental or got into a shouting match with a Grubhub driver who couldn’t find the front gate of your apartment complex and your food was delivered cold. If you’ve got a gig economy horror story, AirTalk wants to hear about it! Join the conversation at 866-893-5722 or post in the comments below!