AirTalk

The U.S.'s intervention in Syria, incentives for diverse hiring in TV and TGI-FilmWeek!

By AirTalk Staff

Published Jun 17, 2016 10:58 AM

Fighters from Syria's Manbij military council are seen on June 15, 2016 in a building on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of Manbij, which is held by jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) group, during an operation to try to retake the town.

Listen 1:02:57

U.S. diplomats are calling for an intervention in Syria; discussing a proposal which would give financial incentives to TV productions that hire diverse writers and directors in the state of New York and TGI-FilmWeek!

The U.S.'s intervention in Syria, incentives for diverse hiring in TV and TGI-FilmWeek!

Defying White House, US diplomats call for intervention in Syria

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Defying White House, US diplomats call for intervention in Syria

(AP) Dozens of State Department employees have endorsed an internal document that advocates U.S. military action to pressure Syria's government into accepting a cease-fire and engaging in peace talks, officials said Thursday. The position is at odds with U.S. policy.

The "dissent channel cable" was signed by about 50 mostly mid-level department officials who deal with U.S. policy in Syria, according to officials who have seen the document. It expresses clear frustration with America's inability to halt a civil war that has killed perhaps a half-million people and contributed to a worldwide refugee crisis, and goes to the heart of President Barack Obama's reluctance to enter the fray.

While Washington has provided military assistance to some anti-Assad rebels, it has favored diplomacy over armed intervention as a means of ushering Syria's leader out of power. A series of partial cease-fires in recent months have only made the war slightly less deadly, and offered little hope of a peace settlement.

Guests:

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, senior fellow for women and foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations

Steven Simon, visiting fellow at the Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College; he is also a former senior director for Middle Eastern and North African affairs on the White House’s National Security Council (2011-2012)

Lawmakers pull the plug on California's push for electric vehicles

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Lawmakers pull the plug on California's push for electric vehicles

Nationwide, the purchase of electric vehicles has been very slow. With cheaper gas prices, it's clear that most drivers are not inclined to prioritize their environmental footprint when purchasing a car.

The one place that is slightly above the curve is California. Governor Jerry Brown has repeatedly stated his goal is to get more electric vehicles on the road and he was willing to incentivize potential drivers by subsidizing the purchase of them.

But now, California lawmakers have pulled to plug on the cash. This seems to contradict the state's goals for a greener driving experience, so why make the cuts? And what effect could this have on trying to spur an already slow electric vehicle purchasing cycle?

Guest:

Jessica Caldwell: Senior Analyst and Director of Pricing and Industry Analysis for Edmunds, a site that covers car buying and culture

Christopher Megerian, Political reporter for the Los Angeles Times, covering Gov. Jerry Brown, the state budget and climate change policies.

First-of-its-kind NY bill to give incentives for diverse hiring in TV productions

Listen 9:31

First-of-its-kind NY bill to give incentives for diverse hiring in TV productions

A legislative proposal in New York that would give financial incentives to TV productions that hire women and people of color who reside in the state as writers and directors.

The bill would set aside $5 million in the $420 million that New York provides in tax credits to attract TV and film productions to the state.

The bill was first introduced in 2013. The bill has already passed Assembly, and the New York Senate is voting on it today. If signed into law, it would be the first film state tax credit with a diversity carve-out.

Guests:

Gillian Thomas, senior staff attorney with ACLU Women’s rights project, which supports the New York bill. She is also the author of the new book, “Because of Sex” (St. Martin’s Press, 2016)

Kevin Klowden, executive director of the Milken Institute’s California Center and managing economist at the Institute. One of his foci is film and television tax incentives.

Darnell M. Hunt, director of the UCLA Bunche Center for African American Studies, which puts out the annual “Hollywood Diversity Report," and chair of the Sociology Department at UCLA

FilmWeek: 'Finding Dory,' 'Central Intelligence,' 'Tickled' and more

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FilmWeek: 'Finding Dory,' 'Central Intelligence,' 'Tickled' and more

AirTalk guest host Patt Morrison and KPCC film critics Wade Major, Charles Solomon, and Peter Rainer review this weekend's new movies releases including a return to the animated sea with "Finding Dory;" a Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson comedy called "Central Intelligence," a documentary full of surprises called "Tickled" and more.

TGI-FilmWeek!