A new bill proposed in California could extend statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases. Is this a good idea? Next, the Metro is trying to alleviate traffic in Los Angeles, should the metro build a freeway tunnel? Then, Janet Napolitano could be the next next president of the University of California, is she the right person for the job? Next, should the Petererson Museum sell a third of its car collection? Last, we'll talk with author Chuck Klosterman about his book that explains why everyone loves a villain.
California Senator proposes to extend the statute of limitations on sexual abuse
California Senator Jim Beall is pushing to extend the statute of limitations on sexual abuse. His bill, SB 131, opens a one-year window from 2014-2015 for previously barred abuse victims to file suit against alleged abusers or the employer of the abuser.
Senator Beall’s bill follows Orange County Register’s reporting on coaches sexually abusing their young female gymnasts and swimmers. However, many organizations are opposing SB 131.
The last time the statute of limitations was extended was in 2002. SB 1779 passed with little to no opposition, and it allowed victims to sue those who knew of abuse and did not address it. According to the Orange County Register, nearly 1,000 cases were filed in California in 2003 as a consequence of SB 1779. The Los Angeles Times reports that the California dioceses paid $1.2 billion in settlements.
Opponents to SB 131 say this bill would open up the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, and other employers to lawsuits over old allegations that would be difficult to fight in legal battles. Currently, the Catholic Church, the California Council of Nonprofit Organizations, The California State Alliance of YMCAs, the California Assn. of Private School Organizations and USA Swimming, among others, oppose Senator Beall’s bill.
Should the statue of limitations be extended? Would third parties be able to fight decades-old allegations?
Guests:
Jim Beall, California State Senator (D-San Jose); author of SB 131
Kevin Eckery, President of Eckery Associates, a crisis management firm; and spokesman for the Coalition Against 131
Should Metro build a freeway tunnel or take another route in the 710 project? (Poll)
Metro and CalTrans have already spent two years researching how to relieve traffic in Los Angeles County. Their study, SR-710, began in 2011 with 40 different traffic alternatives. By 2012, it became 12 options and is now narrowed down to five.
The study focuses on the gap between the 710 and the 210 freeways, forcing commuters to take local streets to travel north and south in the San Gabriel Valley. According to Metro spokeswoman Helen Ortiz-Gilstrap, there are 60,000 cars on Fair Oaks Avenue and 50,000 cars on Fremont Avenue per day and the gridlock in that area is very severe.
Metro’s five alternatives are:
- No-build: The only changes will be those already planned by local jurisdictions.
- Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand Management: Metro would improve the existing system by introducing strategies such as coordinating traffic signal timing and promoting carpooling and public transit.
- Bus Rapid Transit: By creating bus lanes, high speed and high frequency buses would run between 18 proposed locations.
- Light Rail Transit: Metro would build a 7.5 mile light rail with trains connecting East Los Angeles to Pasadena.
- Freeway Tunnel: A 6.3 mile four-lane tunnel would connect the end of the 710 freeway in Alhambra with the 210 freeway in Pasadena.
This study and the controversial freeway tunnel have spurred cities to go head-to-head. The south portal of the freeway tunnel would be south of Valley Boulevard by Hellman Avenue, and the north portal would be at Del Mar Avenue and Green Street. Alhambra, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Marino and Duarte are in favor of this project.
“We feel in town that the tunnel would be the best option. It will reduce congestion throughout the entire freeway system by 20 percent when all the other options may only have a two to four percent impact on traffic, congestion, air pollution and air quality,” said Alhambra Mayor Steven Placido on AirTalk.
However, South Pasadena, La Cañada, Glendale and Los Angeles oppose the freeway tunnel. South Pasadena Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Marina Khubesrian, also joined AirTalk to raise her concerns. She believes that this freeway tunnel is contrary to Metro’s efforts of reducing drivers through public transportation.
“It does not address our congestion issues and our need for transit and public transportation. I agree that there is a need to relieve congestion; however, building freeways is not the way to do it," said Khubesrian about the tunnel. "We’ve also looked at the tunnel option and see that it would actually increase pollution in the area and it would not relieve congestion.”
Khusbesrian also voiced her concerns about truck fires on an underground freeway and a ten-year construction process. She said the freeway and the building process would cause greenhouse gases, increased pollution, respiratory illnesses and Valley Fever.
Placido responded to air quality concerns by saying that the traffic congestion currently goes by five elementary schools, two college campuses, and a high school.
“That can’t be good for our kids. This traffic belongs on a freeway, and we need to address that demand now,” said Placido.
Metro has also been under fire for being biased in this study, and Doug Failing, executive officer of Metro Highway Program, is accused of already meeting with private investors to build the freeway tunnel.
“We’ve been approached by a number of firms. Some of them are looking at the highway as a possible project. Others are looking at the light rail line as a possible project," said Failing on AirTalk. "They’ve come in to let us know they’re available, that at some point if we put a project out we can anticipate bidders on it. But none of that goes into the environmental process. None of that affects the decision at the end of the day."
Opponents pointed out that since the money isn’t there for a freeway tunnel, Metro would have to go to investors. And with investors involved, that means this freeway tunnel would be a toll road. Critics say working class citizens would not be able to pay daily tolls and would still take local streets.
Pai En Yu contributed to this online article.
KPCC's online polls are not scientific surveys of local or national opinion. Rather, they are designed as a way for our audience members to engage with each other and share their views. Let us know what you think on our Facebook page, facebook.com/kpcc, or in the comments below.
Guests:
Doug Failing, Executive Officer for Metro Highway Program; oversees the environmental study on the 710
Steven Placido, D.D.S., Mayor of Alhambra
Marina Khubesrian, M.D., Mayor Pro Tem of South Pasadena
For more information about Metro's community meetings on Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday, click here.
University of California regents to vote on Janet Napolitano leadership nomination
Janet Napolitano, the U.S. secretary of homeland security, was nominated on Friday as the next president of the University of California. The UC Regents will vote on Napolitano’s nomination tomorrow.
The choice is largely seen as an unorthodox one, given Napolitano’s lack of higher education experience. But supporters say she makes up more than enough for it with plenty of experience leading a large and complex governmental organization. What’s more, Napolitano comes with a proven track record of raising money, an especially important asset with the drastic cuts the UC system has faced in the past decade.
Napolitano will succeed Mark Yudof, who announced in January that he’s stepping down.
Guests:
Bob Powell, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis, and the University of California Academic Senate Chair
Abraham Wagner, Visiting Professor of Law at UCLA and Professor of International & Public Affairs at Columbia University
Is the Petersen Auto Museum in need of transformation?
L.A.'s museum row is home to one of the world's most renowned automotive institutions. When the LA Times reported the Petersen Automotive Museum taking a drastic detour, many car culture junkies and Angeleno history buffs were left confused.
Petersen Executive Director, Terry Karges, told KPCC he plans to, "Totally remake the museum...change it from the inside and out [and] bring it into the modern era."
The Times reported a new emphasis on motorcycles and vintage French art-deco cars, which happen to be personal favorites for Karges and a new Petersen board member. The original founder Robert Petersen was a devotee of Hollywood car culture and helped cultivate an incredible collection including Herbie, the Love Bug. Karges says there will still be one Herbie in its collection.
Still, former Peterson director, Buddy Pepp is critical of the changes. He told KPCC, "Robert and (wife) Margie were larger than life in Hollywood. They would want our grandchildren and the public to see our historic car culture in Los Angeles."
What else does the Petersen leadership plan to transform? How does an historic institution launch into a modern era? Is there really a new focus on motorcycles and French cars? How many cars are being auctioned? What would the Petersens have thought of the changes? Is this a necessary move to keep the museum interesting?
Guests:
Terry Karges, Executive Director, Petersen Automotive Museum
Jason Fogelson, Freelance Automotive Journalist; Member of the board of the Motor Press Guild
Why everyone loves a bad boy
New York Times bestselling author Chuck Klosterman has recently found himself identifying with unexpected characters —villains. In his new book, “I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined),” Klosterman examines the psychology of villainy. He said that as he matured, he found himself relating to the bad guys because they’re more realistic than the archetype heroes.
For example, Klosterman said that as a child, he loved Luke Skywalker. As a teenager, he identified with Hans Solo, a cool bad boy who’s good at heart. But as an adult, he feels like Darth Vader, relating to a person being pushed to do something against his will and making human decisions with dark consequences.
In Klosterman’s book, he also discusses why people support real-life lawbreakers. Although people understand that the actions are wrong, there’s a sense of respect for someone willing to step out of the confines of society and challenge the legal and social norm.
Are villains misunderstood heroes? Have you ever identified with someone on the other side of the law? Which are your favorite villains (real and imagined)?
Guest:
Chuck Klosterman, author of “I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined)”; New York Times bestselling author; Klosterman has been published in GQ, Esquire, Spin, The Washington Post, The Guardian and ESPN.
At 7:30 PM tonight, Chuck Klosterman will read from his book at Skylight Books in Los Angeles. For more information, click here.