The Lakers go down in 4 - is this the last 'last dance' for coach Phil Jackson? 36th Congressional seat debate. Pros and cons of grad school – is it worth it? U.S. policy toward Pakistan.
The greatest coach in NBA history can’t pull the last one out
Lakers coach Phil Jackson has won 11 NBA Championship titles, more than any other coach in pro-basketball, but Sunday’s big loss against the Dallas Mavericks (122-86) served up the second worst loss of his career. In addition to seeing his team swept out of the playoffs, earlier in the day Jackson was fined thirty-five thousand dollars for bad mouthing the refs. Team that up with a couple embarrassing fouls from two star players and last night ended the Lakers' shot at another “three-peat." Jackson has said this would be his final season coaching. The Zen master coach has thrown in the towel before but this time it looks like it’s going to stick. Jackson is dealing with some health issues and after several decades in the game he’s tired. But is this really the end for one of basketball’s winningest coaches? And if so, who will be the next Lakers’ head coach? And with this stunning defeat, what’s next for the Lakers? Can they pull it back together, or is this the end of a dynasty?
Guest:
Sam Amick, Columnist for Sports Illustrated
36th congressional seat debate
The race to replace incumbent U.S. Representative Jane Harman, who resigned to become the head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, is crowded. There are five Dems, six Republicans, a Libertarian, a Peace and Freedom candidate and three candidates with no party affiliation all vying for the seat. The special primary election, set for May 17, is the first congressional race in California to be conducted under the “jungle primary” system passed by voters a year ago with Proposition 14. The top two vote-getters will run against each other in a general election on July 12, regardless of party affiliation. Today, AirTalk host Larry Mantle moderates a debate between the top contenders.
Guests:
Mike Gin, Mayor of Redondo Beach; Republican candidate in the special election to fill the seat in California’s 36th congressional district
Janice Hahn, Los Angeles City Councilwoman, 15th District; Democratic candidate in the special election to fill the seat in California’s 36th congressional district
Marcy Winograd, High School Teacher; Democratic candidate in the special election to fill the seat in California’s 36th congressional district
Pros and cons of grad school – is it worth it?
If you want to be a lawyer or a doctor, an advanced degree is necessary. But graduate work isn’t a requirement for other professions such as journalism, writing, film making or business. Advocates of grad school argue that students gain tremendous experience, improve their job prospects and earning potential and make great contacts in the process. Others say that it’s an unnecessary expense and that just as many connections can be made actually doing the work in the real world. Take for example two adults with undergraduate degrees who are interested in becoming journalists. If one went to grad school for two years, they’d likely learn their trade and make a few connections, but upon graduation, they’d probably have to take an entry level job. If the other person had spent those two years working their way up from intern, they might have gained just as much expertise and even landed a full-time staff position in the same period of time – without accruing the same debt. How does one decide if grad school is right for them? When it is worth the cost and when isn’t it? Have you struggled with this decision?
Guests:
Penelope Trunk, Career Adviser who recommends against grad school; CEO of Brazen Careerist, a career management tool for next-generation professionals
Peter Temes, head of Pacific Hills School, an independent, grades 6-12 school in West Hollywood; former president of the Antioch New England Graduate School
Pakistan: America's number one "frenemy?"
In an interview last night, President Obama insisted Pakistan has been a strong counterterrorism partner to the United States. However, since the revelation that Osama bin Laden had been hiding in the South Asian country for years, rumblings have started in Washington over U.S. aid it receives. Some lawmakers say this is the time to reign in the unpredictable ally. And they might start by targeting the $3 billion in civilian and military aid proposed for it next year. Should the U.S. continue dealing with Pakistan? What’s the alternative? Should we cut funding? What influence does the U.S. have over the Pakistani military and government? Were Pakistani officials complicit or incompetent in dealing with bin Laden? How dangerous is al-Qaida and other fringe groups in Pakistan?
Guests:
Ambassador Wendy J. Chamberlin, President, Middle East Institute; former US Ambassador to Pakistan (2001-2002)
Haider Mullick, Fellow at the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU); Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding; Author of Pakistan's Security Paradox: Countering and Fomenting Insurgencies