This morning, President Obama unveiled recommendations for NSA reform. Earthquake expert Lucy Jones joins AirTalk to discuss lessons learned during the Northridge Earthquake that could help California prepare for future quakes. Later, who do you think will be the next Meryl Streep?
President Obama unveils recommendations for NSA reform
The Edward Snowden files have exposed the depth and breadth of U.S. surveillance efforts in the wake of 9/11 domestically and abroad, at the same time casting the heretofore ultra-secretive National Security Agency into the public spotlight.
Almost six months after details of the PRISM cellphone metadata collection program were leaked, President Obama today has announced steps to change several aspects of how the NSA would collect and store phone records and other information that would nonetheless leave the existing programs largely intact.
Should these surveillance programs be scrapped altogether? Should they be left untouched and intact?
Guests:
Rebecca Sinderbrand, Deputy White House Editor for POLITICO
Adam Schiff, Democratic Congressman representing the 29th District, which include Atwater Village, Burbank and West Hollywood
Robert Turner, Associate Director of the Center for National Security Law at the University of Virginia
Rep. Buck McKeon retirement another hit to California’s clout in Congress
California Representative, Howard "Buck" McKeon, has announced that this will be his last term in Congress. The Republican from Santa Clarita choked back tears as he made the announcement in Washington yesterday.
McKeon, 75, has served the state of California since 1993 and has chaired the House Armed Services Committee since 2011. That put him in a powerful position to make decision about military spending, a position which he used to fight against deep spending cuts at the Pentagon.
McKeon's retirement will make a big dent in California's clout on Capitol Hill and will no doubt set off a fierce race to succeed him. Will California be able to retain strong influence in Washington? What does McKeon's retirement mean for the future of California Republicans? Can the state keep a strong voice in military affairs and spending?
Guest:
Austin Wright, Defense reporter for POLITICO
Northridge Earthquake Anniversary: Queen of quakes, Lucy Jones exploits lessons learns to help California prepare for the Big One
Today, we mark the 20th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake - a 6.7 magnitude quake that killed at least 57, injured more than 9,000 and rendered about 125,000 people homeless.
This week, Los Angeles Mayor announced a plan to make LA "earthquake resilient." Chosen to lead it is long-time seismologist Lucy Jones. She recently gave a presentation entitled "Imagine America without Los Angeles." She's long been warning that the more complex our city and society become, the more vulnerable we are.
How long will it take to create “earthquake resilience strategies” for LA? What about neighboring communities? Fault line maps of Hollywood and Sierra Madre faults have been released recently by California Geologic Survey – how should those be used? An early warning system is in development? Is there enough funding and political will to make it happen? What’s the timeline?
Guest:
Lucy Jones, Ph.D., Seismologist, U.S. Geological Survey & Caltech - who was a critical resource during the Northridge Quake in 1994; Jones is working with the City of Los Angeles to develop earthquake resilience strategies
Filmweek: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Ride Along, The Nut Job and more
Larry and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Henry Sheehan and Charles Solomon review this week’s releases, including Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Ride Along, The Nut Job and more. TGI-Filmweek!
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
Ride Along
The Nut Job
Guests:
Tim Cogshell, Film critic for KPCC and Alt Film Guide
Henry Sheehan, Film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Charles Solomon, Animation film critic for KPCC and author and historian for amazon.com
The new Meryl Streep? The actors under 40 to watch
This week, Meryl Streep made Academy Award history with an epic 18th Oscar nomination for her role in August: Osage County. The movie veteran has scooped the top prize three times, for Best Supporting Actress in Kramer vs. Kramer and Best Actress gongs for Sophie's Choice in 1982 and The Iron Lady in 2011.
But in years to come, who will be the next big thing gaining almost annual recognition from the Academy? The likes of Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook), Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis) and Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale) are names often found on 'ones to watch' lists - who would you add?
Guests:
Jenelle Riley, Associate Editor of Features at Variety
Tim Cogshell, Film critic for KPCC and Alt Film Guide
Henry Sheehan, Film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com