The University of Michigan is being sued over their definition of harassment in their student code of conduct. We also discuss award-winning journalist Patt Morrison's new book; sit down with California AG candidate Eric Early; and more.
Discipline and punish: the Schneiderman allegations and the line between BDSM and what’s legal
Last night, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo assigned a Special Prosecutor to look into claims of physical abuse against recently resigned state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
This is following a Monday New Yorker piece which cited accounts of four women who collectively claimed Eric Schneiderman choked, slapped and spit on them. Two of the women are named, and were, at different times, in romantic relationships with Schneiderman.
Schneiderman resigned late Monday under pressure from Governor Cuomo and other elected officials. He later tweeted, “In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross.”
Schneiderman’s defense has similarities to the one used by Canadian broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi, whose program “Q” was carried by KPCC until assault allegations against him from three women. Ghomeshi was tried and acquitted. He’s now a podcast host.
How does the defense of consensual rough sex play out in court? And how is consent for “rough sex” usually negotiated in a safe way in the bondage, discipline, dominance and submission (BDSM) community?
Guests:
Ambrosio Rodriguez, former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney; he led the sex crimes team in the Riverside County D.A.’s office
Julie Fennell, associate professor of sociology at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., where her research includes gender, sexuality, and BDSM and nonmonogamy subcultures; she is also a member of the Washington, D.C. BDSM community and has a blog called “Slut, Ph.D.”
Domina Elle, a dominatrix for 20 years and board member of the non-profit Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education, and Research Project (ESPLERP); she’s based in Denver, Colorado
Governor Pete Wilson remembers predecessor George Deukmejian
Two-term California governor George Deukmejian, whose anti-spending credo earned him the nickname "The Iron Duke," died Tuesday of natural causes, a former chief of staff said. He was 89.
The Republican spent three decades in California politics as an assemblyman, senator, state attorney general and governor.
Read full story here.
Guest:
Pete Wilson, former Governor of California (1991-1999) who succeeded George Deukmejian; he is currently a partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in Los Angeles
The story of the American Newspaper, as told by the nation’s journalists
Longtime journalist and frequent KPCC contributor Patt Morrison has a new story to tell: the story of the American Newspaper.
In her latest book, “Don’t Stop the Presses!” Morrison compiles the work of dozens of journalists and the papers they’ve printed across 200 years of U.S. history (along with more than 200 images to pair) as a message that the newspaper has always been the cornerstone of our democracy and essential to our civic identity. From the headlines that have captivated the nation’s front pages, to the street-corner newsboys, Morrison uses her journalistic wisdom to preserve the heart and grit of real news on real paper.
Also included are common myths of newspaper reporters, fully debunked, and when newspapers aren’t used as something to read over morning coffee, she notes that they become the most useful flyswatters, puppy training pads and more.
Morrison joins host Larry Mantle to talk about the making of the book, of which executive editor of the New York Times Dean Baquet has composed a foreword on the vital role of papers in 2018.
Patt will discussing her book at the following events:
- Vroman's bookstore in Pasadena at 7pm tomorrow, Thursday, May 10
- Chevalier’s Books in Larchmont at 7 pm on Thursday, June 7
- Skylight Books in Los Feliz at 5pm on Saturday, June 23
Guest:
Patt Morrison, author of “Don't Stop the Presses!: Truth, Justice, and the American Newspaper” (Angel City Press, 2018); columnist with the Los Angeles Times; she tweets
What are ‘bias response teams’ and why are they at the center of a lawsuit over First Amendment rights?
A nonprofit civil liberties watchdog group filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan over its speech code, alleging it is unconstitutional.
Speech First, an on-campus advocacy group focusing on free speech issues, alleges that Michigan’s student code and Bias Response Team violate the First Amendment by forbidding speech that would usually be protected.
The University of Michigan disciplinary code prohibits “harassment” and “bullying,” and increases the penalties if such actions are motivated by “bias.” Michigan defines harassment as “unwanted negative attention perceived as intimidating, demeaning, or bothersome to an individual,” according to reports. “The most important indication of bias is your own feelings,” the university advises students. It also encourages students to “report if they have been the target or witness of a bias incident.”
So where do we draw the line between what is considered harassment and the right of free speech?
Guests:
Eugene Volokh, professor of law at UCLA; he tweets
Jody Armour, professor of law at USC; he tweets
California attorney general race: interview with candidate Eric Early
There are four candidates running for the position of California Attorney General.
The primary election will be held on June 5, 2018, to determine the top-two candidates who will be appearing on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Larry sits down with each candidate ahead of the June primary. The candidates are California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, retired Judge of the Superior Court of California Steven Bailey, Los Angeles business and real estate attorney Eric Early and incumbent Xavier Becerra.
Today, Republican candidate for California Attorney General, Eric Early, joins Larry to discuss his campaign.
Ready for Election Day? Get up to speed on what you need to know with KPCC’s Voter Game Plan. Read up on the candidates and ballot measures, find out about registration deadlines and ask us your questions.
Guest:
Eric Early, Republican candidate for California Attorney General; he is a business and real estate attorney in Los Angeles; he tweets
First lady experts check in on Melania Trump’s public perception and opportunities to achieve her ‘Be Best’ initiative goals
Betty Ford chose to tackle addiction, Barbara Bush addressed literacy, Michelle Obama went after childhood obesity and now the wait is over for our newest first lady's official initiative: cyber bullying.
In a rare press conference on Monday, First Lady Melania Trump announced “Be Best,” her formal initiative that will focus on well-being, combating opioid abuse, and positivity on social media. The latter of those has raised the most questions, as her husband’s penchant for name-calling on Twitter is well-known.
The announcement comes as at least one national survey shows her popularity ticking up. In a CNN poll conducted last week, 57 percent of respondents said they had a favorable impression of the First Lady, which is up 10 percent from where she was in January.
What opportunities will Melania have to achieve the goals she has set out in her platform? How have other first ladies had success in championing their initiatives? Larry talks with two experts on American first ladies about this and the general idea of the first lady as an icon and a TV personality.
Guests:
Catherine Allgor, first ladies historian and president of the Massachusetts Historical Society; she tweets
Katherine Jellison, first ladies historian and professor and chair of the department of history at Ohio University