President Barack Obama today said there is no military solution for the current crisis in Iraq if the Iraqi government fails to address sectarian difference, promote country-wide stability and build capacity of effective security forces. Also, The Los Angeles Parking Freedom Initiative is beginning a ballot effort to cap the price of a parking ticket at $23. Then, it's filmweek on AirTalk!
The latest on Iraq’s instability in Mosul, Baghdad, Kirkuk, Falluja
The latest on Iraq’s instability in Mosul, Baghdad, Kirkuk, Falluja: President Barack Obama today said there is no military solution for the current crisis in Iraq if the Iraqi government fails to address sectarian difference, promote country-wide stability and build capacity of effective security forces. Obama says he will review recommendations from his national security team is the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that Iraq police officials say Sunni militants entered two newly conquered towns in Diyala Province - about 70 miles north of Baghdad. Iraqi soldiers abandoned their posts without any resistance.
What action can be taken by the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki? Will President Obama consider airstrikes?
Guests:
Eric Davis, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University and past director of the University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies; His blog is “The New Middle East”
Hillary Mann Leverett, Professor at American University's School of International Service; Co-author “Going to Tehran;” formerly served at the National Security Council and State Department
Should Los Angeles cap parking fines?
The Los Angeles Parking Freedom Initiative is beginning a ballot effort to cap the price of a parking ticket at $23.
The group is working with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office to make changes to parking enforcement, particularly when it comes to projected revenue from parking fines. If administrative negotiations don’t work out, the group plans to put a measure on the March 5, 2015 ballot which would significantly lower parking fines -- the current lowest ticket is $58, and the fines go up from there.
Steven Vincent, founder of the Los Angeles Parking Freedom Initiative, argues that the price is way too high, especially for minimum wage workers who might put almost a whole day’s paycheck into paying off a ticket.
The group also takes issue with the estimations about parking fine revenue, saying that it should be placed in a special fund instead of factored into the general budget. Mayor Garcetti’s office is working with the Parking Freedom Initiative, and seems focused on alternatives that might help people avoid tickets altogether.
What would capping parking fines do for Angelenos? Would this proposed measure have a detrimental impact on L.A.’s budget? What’s a fair price to pay for a parking citation? Is it better to lower the price of the ticket, or install technology intended to help people avoid a fine?
Guests:
Jay Beeber, co-head of the Los Angeles Parking Freedom Initiative, executive director of Safer Streets LA
Donald Shoup, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning, UCLA, and author of “The High Cost of Free Parking, Updated Edition” (APA Planners Press, 2011)
LA Kings: The man behind hockey’s most entertaining Twitter feed
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals is tonight, and the Kings have another chance to wrap up the series in New York.
The team has been nothing but extraordinary on the ice, but the same can be said off the ice, particularly on social media. The Kings’ official
account has more than 400,000 followers and the man tasked with keeping them engaged is the team’s social media director is 29-year-old California native Pat Donahue.
The Kings’ Twitter account is famed for its irreverence, fun, and humor.
Take a look for yourself:
Ohhh yeahhh (Kool-aid man voice) pic.twitter.com/IWXVFUu68o
— LA Kings (@LAKings)
Ohhh yeahhh (Kool-aid man voice) pic.twitter.com/IWXVFUu68o
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 13, 2014
ugggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh pic.twitter.com/lJx98LyrPF
— LA Kings (@LAKings)
ugggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh pic.twitter.com/lJx98LyrPF
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 12, 2014
IS THIS REAL LIFE?!
— LA Kings (@LAKings)
IS THIS REAL LIFE?!
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 12, 2014
Guest:
Pat Donahue, Los Angeles Kings’ social media director
Filmweek: 22 Jump Street, How To Train Your Dragon 2, The Rover and more
John Horn and KPCC film critics Wade Major, Charles Solomon and Lael Loewenstein review this week’s releases, including 22 Jump Street, How To Train Your Dragon 2, The Rover and more. TGI-Filmweek!
22 Jump Street
How to Train Your Dragon 2
The Rover
Guests:
Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and producer and host for IGN’s DigiGods.com
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety
Charles Solomon, animation film critic for KPCC and Indiewire Animation Scoop
Where's the great American soccer movie?
Soccer is a genuine universal sport and the passion of its fans is indisputable. Yet for all of its popularity, rabid supporters, stunning athleticism and movie star-esque players like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, Hollywood has failed to make a single great soccer movie.
Read the entire blog post and vote for the best and worst soccer films of all time