Dozens of world leaders joined French President Francois Hollande in a march of 3.7 million people marched across that country. Also, how do religions view icons, idols and symbols? Then, following Senate majority leader Harry Reid's exercise injury, what are the limits and the cautions the elderly need to be aware of?
White House admits mistake in missing Paris Unity March
In the wake of a mass shooting and dual hostage situations that left 17 innocents dead in France’s capital last week, 3.7 million people marched across that country yesterday as a show of unity, including over a million just in Paris.
Dozens of world leaders joined French President Francois Hollande: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, and even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, among others. President Barack Obama and other high-ranking U.S. officials such as Vice-President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Attorney General Eric Holder (who was in Paris at the time of Sunday’s rally) remained conspicuously absent from the march. Another notable absence was French leader Jean-Marie Le Pen of the prominent far-right Front National (FN) political party, who was not invited to the march organized by President Hollande and former President and current opposition leader Nicolas Sarkozy.
Reactions to the murders of 12 cartoonists at Charlie Hebdo, an on-duty policewoman, and four hostages at a kosher supermarket widely varied with France and across the globe. Millions demonstrated their physically and digitally demonstrated their support through use of the phrase, “Je Suis Charlie,” or “I am Charlie.” Yet a vocal reaction has countered that idea of unity with splintered responses, including “Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie” (“I am not Charlie”), “Je Suis Ahmed” (“I am Ahmed,” phrased after the first name of the Muslim cop who died protecting the Charlie Hebdo building), “Je Suis Juif” (I am Jewish), and more.
At one end, Le Pen has boldly stated “Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie,” while at the other end there are those that believe the attacks were justified. As a new video showing Amedy Coulibaly, the supermarket hostage-taker, talk about his reasons for jihad, a multiplicity of voices and opinions are being heard across the world as people and governments have to deal with the preeminent question: what comes next?
Guests:
Hilary Krieger, deputy White House editor for POLITICO
Julian Zelizer, Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University and the author of multiple books. His latest is “The Fierce Urgency of Now: Lyndon Johnson, Congress, and the Battle for the Great Society” (Penguin Press HC, 2015)
'No Graven Image:' Why religious iconography draws ire and inspiration
In the immediate aftermath of the Paris massacre, some people asked news organizations to show respect for religion by refraining from publishing "Charlie Hebdo" cartoons lampooning religious figures. While Islam does not explicitly prohibit images of Muhammad, Islamic tradition forbids worship of images of God and the prophets of God. And Muslims are not alone in this regard. In the Ten Commandments it's stated "Thou shalt not make any graven image,” and that aniconism is a tenet of Judaism, as well. Similarly, Protestantism views icons negatively.
Its founding theologian John Calvin believed God's transcendence not only rendered God unknowable, it also made God beyond human comprehension, therefore visual depictions could be nothing but a distortion. Other Christian denominations have significantly different views of religious idols. Catholics embrace and celebrate icons of Jesus, Mary, the saints and apostles. In the east, Hindu deities are incredibly colorful and dramatic figures symbolizing their powers and natural elements.
How does your religious practice view icons, idols and symbols?
Guest:
David Albertson, Assistant Professor of Religion, USC’s Dornsife College
Imam Mustafa Umar, Director of Education at the Islamic Institute of Orange County - an accredited school; M.A. in religious studies; previously adjunct professor with Claremont Lincoln University's school of theology
'From unemployed spy to modern-day czar:' Putin's rise explored in new FRONTLINE documentary
"Putin's Way," a new documentary by FRONTLINE and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, explores the decades-long rise and transformation of Russian President, Vladimir Putin. From his 16 year career in the KGB to his third term as President of Russia, the leader has left quite a record, yet so much of it remains clouded in allegations of crime, false histories, and corruption.
Allegations against Putin include complicity in the 1999 Moscow apartment bombings, an illegally amassed secret fortune of billions, and duplicity in domestic and national dealings. This documentary attempts to sort fact from fiction through interviews with a senior police officer who attempted to book him on corruption charges, Russian politicians, writers, exiled business tycoons, and more."Putin's Way" airs Tuesday, January 13 at 10:00 PM on PBS and will stream in full, for free, online at pbs.org/frontline.
Guest:
Gillian Findlay, correspondent for "Putin's Way" and "The Fifth Estate," Canada's premiere investigative TV program
Feinstein says visa-waiver program is 'Achilles heel' of America
Following the Paris attacks, countries around the world are on high-alert for similar attacks. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) noted yesterday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the United States has a legal loophole in its homeland security laws - the 90-day visa-waiver program that allows citizens of certain countries with a valid passport to legally enter the United States. Specifically, she called the program the “Achilles heel” of America, citing potential domestic sleeper cell units and the ability for those who want to cause harm here to obtain false passports as serious threats. Such programs in the United States and across many countries will certainly face scrutiny as terror threat levels rise and a renewed focus begins on how to stem and react to terrorism, both domestic and otherwise.
Should the visa-waiver program be reevaluated after last week’s events in Paris? What do you see as the “Achilles heel” of American security?
Guests:
Fred Burton, Vice President of Intelligence at Stratfor, a global intelligence and advisory firm that consults on national security issues for government agencies. He served as a special agent with the state department from 1985 to 1999.
Erroll Southers, adjunct professor and Director of the National Homeland Security Center at USC. He’s also a former FBI special agent.
SCOTUS hears case on religious freedom of speech
The Supreme Court today heard oral arguments in a case brought forth by a small church in Arizona claiming that the town of Gilbert had violated its free speech rights by forcing it to remove signs telling people about its religious services.
Under Gilbert’s sign ordinance, the location of where a sign could be displayed, how long it could be shown and its size are all determined by the content. The Good News Community Church claims that the ordinance discriminates against religious signage, treating them more rigidly than signs displaying political or ideological messages. The town, however, says that it’s just how the law’s written. Gilbert officials maintain that the church’s signs belong to the category of “events” signs, which have to be smaller and can only be put up 12 hours before the start of the event.
The court is expected to rule on the case in June.
Guests:
Susan Trevarthen, co-author of an amicus brief written in support of the town of Gilbert. She’s an attorney at the firm, Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Cole, Bierman & Popok in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
Matthew McReynolds, Staff Attorney, Pacific Justice Institute, a non-profit organization that defends religious liberties and parental rights with offices throughout California
Senior fitness: Keeping the elderly safe during exercise
With the New Year comes New Year’s resolutions, and for many people, New Year’s resolutions are a reason to get back into a workout routine. But what about elderly adults who want to stay in shape? There are often many questions surrounding best fitness practices for seniors. There is a delicate line to toe between exercising regularly enough to protect from disease and lower injury chances and not over-extending oneself to the point where injury occurs. But studies show that regular exercise is important to the physical and mental health of the elderly, and that inactivity can lead to more doctor and hospital visits. In fact, it’s probably one of the best things seniors can do to delay the aging process.
Recently, former Senate majority leader Harry Reid suffered broken ribs and bones in his face after a resistance band snapped and hit him in the eye, causing him to stumble backward and fall into some cabinets. Reid has yet to return to the Senate, and has said that his doctors are not sure whether he will regain full sight in his right eye.
How can seniors stay safe while exercising? What are the limits and the cautions the elderly need to be aware of? Is it even safe for seniors to exercise in the first place?
For tips on safe exercise for seniors, you can check out this guide from the National Institutes on Aging that was recommended by our guests.
Guests:
Dr. Laura Mosqueda, Professor of Family Medicine and Geriatrics and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at USC’s Keck School of Medicine
Lori Michiel, certified personal trainer and senior fitness specialist, Founder of Lori Michiel Fitness, works with clients age 50 through 95 for private training and group classes.