AirTalk opens with our weekly political roundup; taking a look at Rio's financial woes before the Olympic games; improving civility in the divisive culture of the 2016 presidential election; and tips on identifying dangerous behavior from the average angry outburst.
Trump to Lewandowski: You’re fired! Plus CA Dems take on superdelegates
Presidential hopeful Donald Trump has ousted his controversial campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski.
We get the latest analysis on what message that sends outside the campaign. Plus, here in California over the weekend the executive board for the state Democrats voted unanimously to approve a resolution calling for the elimination of superdelegates and to push up California's primary.
And finally, for a little comedic relief, we’re joined by comedian Grace Parra of the Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore for a preview of her talks at this weekend’s Comic-Con of Politics, Politicon. The live political festival with stars from all sides of the political spectrum is this Saturday and Sunday at the Pasadena Convention Center. You can find more information on the event here.
Guests:
Carson Bruno, research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution
Ed Espinoza, director of Progress Texas, a political communications firm based in Austin, TX. Former Western States Director for the Democratic National Committee in California and a superdelegate in 2008
Grace Parra, contributor on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, she’s also be participating in Politicon this weekend; she tweets from
Olympic historian on what Rio’s 'state of calamity' means for 2016 Summer Games
As if this summer’s Olympic Games didn’t already have enough baggage with worries about the Zika virus and political unrest brewing underneath the surface, Rio de Janeiro's governor declared a “state of calamity” on Friday, saying that the state government wouldn’t be able to meet its financial commitment for the Games because it is bankrupt.
Interim Governor Francisco Dornelles said in the decree that Rio would need emergency funds to prevent things like public security and health, infrastructure, and the education system from collapsing.
Rio 2016 says it was aware of the financial crisis in Rio when they decided to hold the Olympics there, and that a state law for tax breaks that was created to help fund the games will provide assistance.
Guest:
David Wallechinsky, President of the International Society of Olympic Historians and author of “The Complete Book of the Olympics” (Aurum Press, 2012)
In election year, executive director of National Institute for Civil Discourse calls for change
The National Institute for Civil Discourse has a strategy to improve the current state of public discourse in the 2016 presidential election: the “Revive Civility, Our Democracy Depends on It” campaign.
With so many Americans unhappy with the verbal ad hominem attacks, Carolyn Lukensmeyer, executive director of NICD, wants the public to know they can make a difference.
“I write blogs and got hundreds of responses from people who said they were disgusted, embarrassed and ashamed, but did not feel there was anything they could do to make a difference,” Lukensmeyer said.
She mentioned past GOP debates specifically, but the campaign is a nonpartisan effort aimed at reducing the current incivility and inappropriate speech and behavior.
But is change necessary? How does this election compare to others in terms of inappropriate behavior? Guest Host Patt Morrison speaks with political science professor, Brian Arbour, to put this election in historical context and to discuss its normality.
Guests:
Carolyn Lukensmeyer, Ph.D, Executive Director, National Institute for Civil Discourse
Brian Arbour, Associate professor of political science, City University of New York and author of, “Candidate-Centered Campaigns: Political Messages, Winning Personalities, and Personal Appeals” (Palgrave Macmillan; 2014 )
Orlando killer 'always agitated'; distinguishing between pathology and normal grouches
Omar Mateen, the Orlando gunman who killed 49 people last week, had run-ins at school, workplaces, gyms, even in online dating.
A "New York Times" profile published over the weekend found numerous instances of acquaintances and co-workers who say Mateen was "always agitated" and "always mad." Many large workplaces and schools include people who are antisocial or prone to anger.
How can you tell if those traits are dangerous? And what can be done about it?
Guest:
Casey Jordan, Ph.D., Criminologist and Professor at Western Connecticut State University
Human testing begins for an experimental Zika vaccine
Inovio Pharmaceuticals announced today that it will begin human testing on a DNA-based vaccine for the Zika virus.
Testing for the experimental vaccine will start in the coming weeks, in a partnership with GeneOne Life Science.
The 40-person study will use genetically engineered materials that mimic the Zika virus. This study follows Inovio’s earlier tests with animals, which responded well to the vaccine.
Patt Morrison discusses the logistics of this trial period with professor of preventative medicine, William Schaffner, and what the public can expect, should the vaccine become available.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN
NBA referees union calls for less transparency of two-minute reports
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors in a nail-biter of a game 7 last night, coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to become the new NBA finals champion.
The Warriors, defending champion coming in the finals, will likely get flak for what they did or didn’t do on the court last night. But it’s probably nothing compared to the grief the referees get from players and fans.
Recently, the National Basketball Referees Association, the union for NBA refs, has called for the league to stop publishing something called the “Last Two-Minute Reports,” which detail all the mistakes, as well as correct calls, referees make when a game is within 5 points in the final two minutes of play.
The reports are a way for the league to be more transparent, but refs union says they only succeed in making people angry at their members.
Guests:
A Martinez, host of KPCC’s Take Two, and host of Lakers Countdown on ESPNLA 710; he tweets from
Kelly Dwyer, an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports, who has been following the story; he tweets from