Is Congressman Weiner suffering from sex addiction? In this corner…Sugar Ray Leonard. Transforming the political map of the Golden State. The rise of the hacktivists. In defense of flogging.
Congressman Weiner seeks help for bad behavior
The media storm surrounding Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner continues to grow. Upon the revelation that he tweeted sexually suggestive photos and exchanged explicit messages with women online, fellow members of congress and many of his constituents have called for his resignation. On Saturday, Weiner’s office issued a statement requesting a leave of absence and saying he was seeking professional treatment to focus on becoming “a better husband and healthier person.” The tabloids have been filled with stories of powerful men who’ve succumbed to temptation, then blamed it on addiction. But in Weiner’s case, there’s no evidence that he had extramarital sex – his missteps have been strictly virtual, though certainly not virtuous. Yet many speculate that this is indicative of a deeper problem. Are Weiner’s tweets just bad-boy behavior, ego gratification or the signs of sexual addiction?
Guests:
Lori Buckley, PhD, licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist with extensive training and experience in relationship and sexual issues
Robert Weiss, Founding Director of The Sexual Recovery Institute; Director of Sexual Disorders Services at Elements Behavioral Health
In this corner…Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard has long been known for his ability to take his opponent to the mat. However, in his new book The Big Fight: My Life in and Out of the Ring, Leonard throws jabs at himself. With the same precision and unflinching ferocity that led him to multiple world boxing championships and an Olympic gold medal, he opens up about his childhood and family, the challenges of being a black athlete, widespread corruption in boxing, his alcohol and drug abuse, and the chronic negative treatment of his first wife. How could one man who was so good at winning lose out to his own proclivities and vices? What memories do you have of Sugar Ray Leonard and his career?
Guest:
Sugar Ray Leonard, author of The Big Fight: My Life in and Out of the Ring; gold medal winner in boxing at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, holder of world boxing titles in five different weight classes
Transforming the political map of the Golden State
Californians have had a few days to pore over the newly proposed electoral districts. On Friday, the Citizen's Redistricting Commission released the early draft maps. It's the first time independent voters have been given this power, instead of Sacramento insiders. It appears those citizens were not shy about making dramatic changes. The new boundaries look to challenge some prominent incumbents from both parties. From a national perspective, analysts say the new Congressional map virtually guarantees California will be a battleground state in 2012 -- often a rarity because of decades of gerrymandering that protected incumbent House members. What's new for your district? Are you happy with the results --so far-- of using this new independent process? What is the reaction in Sacramento and on Capitol Hill?
Guests:
Bruce Cain, UC Berkeley Political Scientist & Executive Director of the UC Washington Center & Reapportionment Expert
Fernando Guerra, PhD., Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University
The rise of the hacktivists
The advent of the internet and its ubiquitous presence in our personal, financial and cultural lives has not always resulted in positive change. In fact, as more information is stored, accessed and sent online, the efforts to tamper and disrupt the digital system have grown. Recently, a group of hackers called “Anonymous” has been attacking the websites of companies like Sony, Spanish banks such as BBVA and the official governments of Egypt, Algeria, Libya and several others. The group originated on the online “imageboard” called 4chan, a site where users post pictures and discuss anime. Due to the decentralized, anonymous nature of these types of boards, users can use their technical savvy to coordinate plans to completely disable major websites, even if there are strident security measures in place. Last week, three of the supposed leaders of “Anonymous” were arrested in Spain. Who are these people? What are they trying to gain? Is this just a band of merry internet pranksters, or legitimate digital revolutionaries? What will be the consequences for these individuals? Will there be an increased backlash from the organization?
Guest:
Peter Bright, IT/technology journalist and contributing writer for Ars Technica who has written extensively about Anonymous; he is based in London
In defense of flogging
Given the choice between five years in prison and 10 lashes, which would you chose? Peter Moskos, a criminologist and former Baltimore police officer, claims that flogging (a form of corporal punishment, lashes with a whip to a person’s back) can be the more humane form of punishment. And it’s cheaper than housing white-collar criminals in prison or jail. In his new book In Defense of Flogging, Moskos argues that re-introducing corporal punishment into the U.S. justice system would save money on all levels of the highly cost-ineffective incarceration system; and it would allow non-violent criminals to go on with their lives without being stigmatized. Is corporal punishment a good idea? Should criminals be able to choose a beating over serving time?
Guest:
Peter Moskos, author of In Defense of Flogging (Basic Books); criminologist and former Baltimore City police officer