Charles Ramsey, the man who rescued three kidnapped women in Cleveland, has become instantly famous -- we'll talk about the meaning of his notoriety and the age of internet fame. We'll also consider the recent spike in sexual assault in the military and discuss Chris Christie's weight loss surgery: how could it impact his future political career? Later, we'll look at changing trends in the names of athletic teams. All that and more, on AirTalk.
The appeal of Internet heroes like Charles Ramsey and Uncle Ruslan
The drama of the Cleveland kidnapping story yesterday could be eclipsed only by the comedic candor of kidnapping rescuer Charles Ramsey. He's the man who heard Amanda Berry kicking and yelling for help, then responded. Television cameras captured Ramsey recounting the story and anyone with an ear for good clip knew it was gold.
Here's a snippet of Ramsey's unaffected wisdom: "I knew somethin' was wrong when a little pretty white girl ran into a black man's arms. Somethin' is wrong here. Dead giveaway! Deeeeaaaaad giveaway." The "meme-ification" was instantaneous. Much like Ramsey, the uncle of the Boston bombers became Internet famous for being forthright, fearless and without a lick of media training. What other characters have gone viral for noble reasons? What's their appeal for you?
Guest:
Ryan Broderick, Reporter, BuzzFeed
How can the U.S. military fight sexual assaults within the ranks?
The Pentagon reported Tuesday that there were about 26,000 cases of military assault last year, an increase of 37 percent from 2010. President Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called the high number an outrage and denounced the military's handling of assaults.
"I expect consequences," Obama said in a press conference Tuesday. "I don't want just more speeches or awareness programs or training...if we find out people are engaging in this stuff, they're going to be held accountable, prosecuted, stripped of their positions, court-martialed, fired, dishonorably discharged. Period." Many reported cases were found to have resulted in minor disciplinary action or were dismissed altogether, making victims more reluctant to report assaults against them. Members of Congress worry about this deterring women from joining the military and plan to introduce legislation to possibly change how commanders deal with accusations of sexual assault.
What can Congress change to protect members of the military without weakening the system? Who should deal with incidents within the military’s ranks? Is the high number of assaults a reflection of increased offenses or better reporting?
Guest:
Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY reporter covering wars' impact on troops and their families
Why is Chris Christie getting flak for weight-loss surgery?
For years, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has been mocked and criticized for weighing upwards of 300 pounds. The health and fitness of political leaders - especially those with rumored presidential aspirations - isn't necessarily superficial.
When Christie faced a punishing schedule during Hurricane Sandy, former White House doctor, Dr. Connie Mariano, told CNN, “I’m worried he may have a heart attack [or a stroke.]" Many in the Garden State are perturbed at the suggestion. They have witnessed Governor Christie's boundless energy and stamina for decades. Christie told the New York Post he underwent the lap-band surgery at the urging of family and friends, not for political optics. "For me, this is about turning 50 and looking at my children and wanting to be there for them," he says.
Does this increase the odds Christie is seeking a presidential run? Does this increase his chances of a successful bid? Did Christie take the easy way out by having surgery instead of losing weight by dieting or working out? Is this a case of "Damned if you do and damned if you don't?"
Guest:
Dr. Namir Katkhouda, Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at USC’s Keck School of Medicine
Matt Friedman, Political reporter at the Star-Ledger newspaper in New Jersey
Is sharing a bed with your infant safe?
New data released by Los Angeles County officials today finds that suffocation while bed-sharing is the leading cause of infant death in L.A. County. According to the data, a baby suffocates every five days while sleeping in L.A. County.
And from 2008-2011, more babies died from suffocation because of unsafe sleep than all accidental deaths for children under age 14 combined. L.A. County, along with the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect and First 5 LA is rolling out a new campaign seeking to educate parents on the dangers of bed-sharing.
Do you co-sleep or share a bed with your infant? Do you think it’s safe? What are the risks of bed-sharing?
Guests:
Deepa Fernandes, Reporter, KPCC
Deanne Tilton Durfee, executive director, Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN)
Lysa Parker, cofounder of Attachment Parenting International and co-author “Attached at the Heart” (Health Communications Inc., 2013)
Could the Washington Redskins become the Washington ‘Redtails’?
Washington D.C. councilman David Grosso has put forth a new resolution asking the city’s pro football team to change its name. Though there’s some debate as to the origin of the term ‘Redskins’, the phrase has often been described as offensive to Native Americans.
Team owners have refused to address the issue, however, and a recent poll by the AP shows that 79% of Americans nationwide support the name and don’t think the team should be forced to change it.
American Indian advocate Susan Shown Harjo has stated that “it’s not up to the offending class to say what offends the offended.” Is she right? Or does a widespread community of football supporters have more stake in a name that represents their team and their traditions?
Guests:
Ray Smith, Founder and Editor of SonOfWashington.com, a Washington Redskins blog.
Kevin Blackistone, Sports Journalism Professor at Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland.