Corruption Trial in Southgate; Extradition Sought For Vietnamese Man Accused Of Bombing; Budget Cuts To Uc Labor Centers; Space Shuttle Launch Scrubbed; Divided by God
Corruption Trial in Southgate
The trial of ex-South Gate treasurer Albert Robles is underway. Robles is charged with fraud, bribery, and money laundering, and prosecutors allege the corruption has cost the city $12 million dollars. Larry Mantle talks with LA Times staff writer Sam Quinones about the city’s troubled recent past, and with South Gate City Councilman Henry Gonzalez about the city's efforts to refill its coffers and rebuild trust in the community.
Extradition Sought For Vietnamese Man Accused Of Bombing
Nearly four years ago, Van Duc Vo was put in jail for allegedly conspiring to bomb the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand. Now a federal appeals court is preparing to decide if Vo should be extradited to Thailand to face trial. Some in the Vietnamese-American community view Vo as a hero, continuing the stand against Vietnam’s government, while others see him as a dangerous extremist. Larry talks to W. Michael Mayock, Vo’s attorney, and Rob Schmitz, KPCC’s Orange County reporter.
Budget Cuts To Uc Labor Centers
Before singing the budget earlier this week Governor Schwarzengger made numerous line item cuts included $3.8 million to the UC Labor Centers at Berkeley and UCLA which eliminates 70 percent of the Centers’ funding. Larry speaks with H.D. Palmer, from the California Department of Finance, and Kent Wong, from UCLA’s Center for Labor Research and Education, about the decision to cut the Centers’ budget.
Space Shuttle Launch Scrubbed
The Shuttle Discovery was scheduled to launch shortly before one o’clock Pacific Time this afternoon, but was scrubbed due to a faulty sensor. When it launches, Discovery will be the 114th space shuttle flight in 24 years with a redesigned external fuel tank and nearly 50 other improvements made in the wake of the Columbia tragedy two and a half years ago. Larry talks with former shuttle astronaut, Scott Horowitz, about the shuttle’s return to flight and the future of the space program.
Divided by God
The U.S. Holy War between Christian Fundamentalists and the secular population is driving a dangerous wedge into the American Dream. Larry Mantle talks with author Noah Feldman about his critically-acclaimed new book Divided By God: America’s Church-State Problem – and What We Should Do About It.