President Obama has announced another set of sanctions against Russia. Will the increasing sanctions help alleviate tension in Russia or worsen the situation? Are vaccine waivers causing the increase in California's measles cases?
President Obama signs executive order allowing expanded sanctions against Russia
President Obama announced another round of sanctions against Russian officials today. The group contained legislative and executive officials and one bank.
President Obama also signed an executive order that would allow the U.S. to impose sanctions on “key sectors of the Russian economy,” which may include financial services, energy, defense, and engineering.
The European Union is also considering more sanctions against Russia over its annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Russia responded to the new U.S. sanctions by sanctioning nine U.S. officials, including aides to the president and members of Congress.
How will the situation change? Will the sanctions against Russia help de-escalate the situation, or provoke it further? How might sanctions on the Russian economy change things?
Guest:
Will Pomeranz, Deputy Director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center
Federal judge questions need for government secrecy shrouding 'no-fly' list
The constitutionality of the U.S. government's anti-terrorism "no fly" list was questioned by a federal judge during a hearing at the U.S. District Court in Oregon Monday.
The government's position on the matter has been that the secrecy is necessary for the efficacy of the program. But Judge Anna J. Brown voiced skepticism in this argument: "The secrecy is diminished once the person is turned away. Arguing the process is necessary to protect that secrecy has no basis. What am I missing?" said Brown.
The suit, Latif v. Holder, was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 13 plaintiffs, four of which are U.S. military veterans. They claim they were barred from travel by the no fly list and denied an explanation as to why they were considered security risks.
In addition, they argue that their 5th Amendment rights to due process were violated by the program. They argue that their inclusion on the list has severely altered their lives, preventing them from traveling to see family or to further their careers.
Is national security enough of an argument to keep the list secret? What options are in place for those who find themselves on the list erroneously?
Guests:
Hina Shamsi, Director of the ACLU's National Security Project and an attorney on the Latif v. Holder case
Geoffrey Corn, Professor of Law and Presidential Research Professor at South Texas College of Law
Are vaccine waivers causing the increase in California's measles cases?
Figures from the California Department of Public Health show that 32 cases of measles have been reported so far this year. That's up from just 3 cases by this time last year. KPCC reports that nearly half of the cases - 14 in total - come from children who were intentionally not vaccinated.
The state allows parents to opt out of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, known as the ‘MMR’, that's required for children to attend school by filling out a personal belief waiver.
A new state law that took effect Jan 1, 2014 makes it slightly more difficult to obtain the waivers by requiring parents to meet with a health care provider to talk about the risks and benefits of vaccines before requesting an exemption.
Officials at the CDPH have urged parents against opting out of vaccinating their children since an increase in the number of unvaccinated children could lead to even more cases of the disease.
Is there a link between the number of unvaccinated children and the increase in measles cases so far this year? From a public health perspective, do personal belief waivers make sense?
Search kindergarten immunization levels in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties here.
Guests:
Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Dr. Oliver Brooks, Chief of pediatrics at Watts Healthcare Corporation and Vice Chair of the California Immunization Coalition
'The Story of the Jews' delves deep into history and culture
Simon Schama’s “The Story of the Jews” takes on the suffering and exile interwoven throughout Jewish history in an anticipated two-volume book and a five-part documentary.
Schama’s first volume covers the period from 1000 B.C. to 1492 A.D., chronicling Jewish alienation and crisis and offering up scholarly examination of the Old Testament and the Torah. The book and the documentary that accompany it are historically and culturally rich, a captivating tale of survival and civilization.
When does Jewish history begin? How does Schama’s historical analysis delve into Jewish culture? How will volume two of “The Story of the Jews” and the documentary airing on PBS broaden the story and expand what we know about Judaism? Because the modern story of the Jews is also about Israel, how does Schama deal with the current conflict and with Palestinian history?
Simon Schama joins Larry to discuss his work – “The Story of the Jews” will air on PBS in five parts beginning on March 25.
Guests:
Simon Schama, professor of art history and history at Columbia University, author of numerous award-winning books; his latest book is “The Story of the Jews”
“The Story of the Jews” will air on PBS in five parts beginning next week - on March 25.