Going After the Employers; California School Children at Risk For Mumps and Measles?; Sexting; Revealing Hidden Contradictions in the Bible
Going After the Employers
It's an open secret that many industries in California employ migrant workers who often aren't here legally. Reports are coming in that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will soon direct federal agents to focus on arresting and prosecuting Americans who knowingly employ illegal immigrants, rather than going after the laborers themselves. The belief is that if they can cut off the demand for cheap, illegal labor, migrant workers will no longer have an incentive to sneak across the border. Will it work? Larry asks experts and KPCC's listeners.
California School Children at Risk For Mumps and Measles?
Decades ago, horrific diseases such as polio, were a scourge for children. But mandatory vaccinations made most of these diseases a forgotten nightmare of the past. Recently, however, increases in autism have led some to conclude that vaccines themselves are actually the culprit in some diseases. Many parents are now delaying vaccinations for their children. California health workers now worry that we may see a return to the days of mumps, measles, and worse.
Sexting
Teens all over the country are stripping down and taking pictures of themselves and then sending these explicit photos to friends on their cell phones or the internet. It's called "Sexting" and may be innocent teenage exhibitionism but a 14-year old New Jersey girl is being charged with child pornography for posting nude pictures on herself on MySpace.com. These charges could force her to register as a sex offender. Larry and guests discuss this new trend.
Revealing Hidden Contradictions in the Bible
In his new book "Jesus, Interrupted", Bart D. Ehrman argues that the Bible is full of inconsistencies. According to Ehrman, these are not trivial details, but rather contradictions over major issues like who Christ is and how the followers of Jesus should live. The author contends that most of the books in the Bible were written long after Jesus' death. In order to understand the Bible, he says that one must know who wrote each book and why the authors contradict each other. Larry Mantle talks with Religious Studies Professor Bart D. Ehrman about his book.