A former aide to California attorney general Kamala Harris and two others were allegedly operating a fake police department that claimed it had ties to dating back thousands of years to the Knights of Templar. Also, what will British Prime Minister David Cameron's victory mean for U.S. policy in the fight against ISIS? Then, it's T-G-I Filmweek!
Let’s be cops: The curious case of the ‘Masonic Fraternal Police Department’
They walk among us, even though we don’t see them. They are the protectors of the realm, the watchers on the wall, the swift hand of justice that reaches out when all hope is lost.
They are the Masonic Fraternal Order of Police...and they don’t actually exist.
A former aide to California attorney general Kamala Harris and two others now have to deal with the real justice system for allegedly operating a fake police department that claimed it had ties to dating back thousands of years to the Knights of Templar. Tonette Hayes, David Henry, who claimed to be the ‘chief’ of the department, and Brandon Kiel, Harris’ former aide, were all arrested last week and face a smattering of charges, including impersonating a police officer and misusing a state ID.
The real police first found out about the group after Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Captain Roosevelt Johnson had a strange encounter with three individuals who came into the Santa Clarita station in February. It left Captain Johnson so suspicious that he had them investigated following their visit. As it turns out, the three had been going to law enforcement agencies across California, introducing themselves as the Masonic Fraternal Police Department. Their website claims that it is “the oldest and most respected organization in the ‘world.’”
Was this group formed for a purpose or were these just three people who wanted to play cops? What is the history groups like these in the U.S. and around the world? Can we compare the Masonic Fraternal Order of Police to groups like Sovereign Citizens?
Guests:
Roosevelt Johnson, Captain of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Santa Clarita Valley Station. He was the first to investigate the suspects after a February meeting.
Anthony Lemieux, investigator with the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START)
What David Cameron’s reelection means for the U.S.
British Prime Minister David Cameron won last night’s parliamentary election.
Now with the election out of the way, what will this victory mean for U.S. policy in the fight against ISIS? Michael Geary, Global Fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC and professor of European Studies at Maastricht University in the Netherlands joins us to discuss U.S. and U.K. relations and what the victory means for the future alliance between President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron.
Guest:
Michael Geary, Global Fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC and professor of European Studies at Maastricht University in the Netherlands
The etiquette of #DroughtShaming
What do you do when you catch a water-waster in the act? Do you walk on by? Do you gently remind them that California is in the midst of a devastating drought? Or do you tweet a picture of the guilty party and shame them from the safety of the internet?
If you want to inspire a positive change in your neighborhood, modern etiquette expert Amy Alkon has some tips. She shared her suggestions with AirTalk:
- Be constructive when pointing out water waste. Starting the conversation by saying “You probably didn’t know …” will help prevent a defensive reaction.
- Print out an article about the drought to share with your neighbor. Not everybody is aware of how serious the drought is.
- Check your motivations. The most effective conversations are motivated by compassion. Your neighbors are likely to realize if your motives aren’t pure, and that could harm your relationship indefinitely.
- Write a nice note. It’s okay to be afraid of a potentially awkward conversation. Writing a note will give you a chance to choose your words as well as give your neighbors a chance to plan their response.
- Build a neighborly relationship. This approach requires a bit more effort. If you’ve never spoken to your neighbors before, you probably don’t want your first interaction to be over water waste.
- Post water-saving suggestions for the entire neighborhood in a common area. Community bulletin boards or telephone poles are a great place to start. This way, nobody has to feel singled-out.
- Use a web translator. As neighborhoods continue to become more diverse, language barriers are bound to arise. If you don’t trust the internet, and you’re really determined, there are plenty human translators on sites like Fiverr or even Fourerr.
If all else fails, you can report water waste to the DWP here.
Press the play button above to hear our roundtable discussion about drought etiquette.
Guests:
Amy Alkon, etiquette expert and author of the book, “Good Manners For Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck”
Kerry Cavanaugh, editorial writer for the LA Times
writer and former-ethicist, New York Times
Filmweek: ‘Hot Pursuit,’ ‘Maggie,’ ‘The D Train’ and more
Patt Morrison and KPCC film critics Amy Nicolson and Andy Klein will review this week’s new film releases, including the buddy comedy "Hot Pursuit," featuring Sofia Vergara and Reese Witherspoon, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s latest movie, "Maggie," and the Jack Black comedy “The D Train.”
TGI-Filmweek!
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, KPCC film critic and chief film critic at L.A. Weekly
Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and the L.A. Times Community Papers chain
Son of ‘Wild Bill’ reflects on his father’s legacy as award-winning pilot and director
Maybe you remember classic movies like "Wings," "The Call of the Wild," "The Public Enemy," or "A Star Is Born."
What you don’t remember is the man behind the camera who flew planes and was awarded the Croix de Guerre (“Cross of War”) during the Great War, directed almost a hundred films, and raised a loving family.
His son, William Wellman, Jr., takes us back to the golden age of Hollywood to share his father’s story.
What’s your favorite “Wild Bill” film? How did his innovative techniques such as putting cameras on planes change the technical and creative sides of filmmaking? If you or someone you know worked with him, share your stories below and give us a call!
WELLMAN WILL BE AT UCLA FILM AND TELEVISION ARCHIVE ON SATURDAY MAY 9 AS WELL AS SIGNING HIS BOOK AT VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE IN PASADENA ON SUNDAY MAY 24
Guest:
William Wellman, Jr., son of William “Wild Bill” Wellman and author of “Wild Bill Wellman: Hollywood Rebel” (Pantheon Books, 2015).