Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is introducing a package of policy and budget proposals that address gun laws, mental health care, public safety, among other things. Then, a new study shows that people tend to be less stressed at work than at home. Later, Obama's speech at West Point, and a tribute to poet, actress and activist Dr. Maya Angelou.
Can Isla Vista massacre change gun laws in California?
This morning in Sacramento, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is introducing a package of policy and budget proposals that address mental health care, criminal justice and public safety, including more training for law enforcement. That’s in addition to a bill from two California Assembly members that would allow concerned family or friends to notify authorities when a loved one is at risk of committing violence and would permit law enforcement to prevent them from buying firearms.
Yesterday, at a UC Santa Barbara memorial, the father of victim Christopher Michaels-Martinez called for legislation to stop similar acts of violence. Richard Martinez told the crowd who roared in support: "I got a phone call from a congressperson to express their condolences, and I told this person I wasn't interested in a phone call from them to express their condolences and sadness about what happened to Chris - that was unacceptable. Until that person went back to Congress and actually did something, they had done nothing. And that's why Chris died."
It’s all eerily familiar territory from the wake of events like Newtown, but is it futile? We’ll take a look at why legal changes to gun laws seem to go nowhere and what a plausible path for change might be.
Are politicians just being opportunistic when they jump on the momentum of tragic events like Isla Vista to try and get gun legislation passed?
Guest:
Lawrence Rosenthal, Professor at Chapman University School of Law in Orange
Paul Neuharth, Criminal Defense Attorney with an emphasis on Constitutional safeguards (2nd, 4th and 5th Amendments) based in San Diego
Stalemate between Irwindale and Sriracha factory expected to end
Irwindale Mayor Mark Breceda is planning to ask the city council to drop its complaint against the maker of the popular Sriracha hot sauce, a day after he and representatives from Gov. Jerry Brown's office toured the Huy Fong Foods factory, according to the Pasadena Star News.
Last year, Irwindale residents started complaining of a pungent smell coming from the factory. The city filed a lawsuit against Huy Fong Foods, saying that the odor was a public nuisance and called for production to shut down. Meanwhile, politicians from all over the country have tried to lure David Tran, owner of Huy Fong Foods, to relocate its facilities to their cities. Tran, for his part, has expressed interest in moving.
The Irwindale City Council is scheduled to meet tonight to determine the fate of the Sriracha factory. If the lawsuit proceeds, the trial is expected to begin in Los Angeles in November.
Guest:
Sarah Favot, Pasadena Star News reporter who has been following the story
Which is more stressful for you: Home or work?
According to a new study published in The Journal Social Science & Medicine, people are more stressed out when they're at home than at work.
To determine that, researchers at Pennsylvania State University tested the levels of cortisol (a biological indicator of stress) in 122 workers during the workday and on the weekends.
Researchers also asked about respondents' levels of happiness at work versus home and found an interesting gender split. While men said they were happier at home, women reported the opposite. Do you see your work as a kind of refuge from the daily stress of life? Why?
Guest:
Sarah Damaske, Assistant Professor of Labor and Employment Relations, Sociology, and Women's Studies, The Pennsylvania State University and lead author of the research
President Obama reaffirms U.S. military prowess best used with restraint
In a broad defense of his foreign policy, President Barack Obama declared Wednesday that the U.S. remains the world's most indispensable nation, even after a "long season of war," but argued for restraint before embarking on more military adventures. Speaking to the graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy, President Obama spoke about specific crises in the world today and about his vision.
"America must always lead on the world stage. If we don't, no one else will. The military that you have joined is, and always will be, the backbone of that leadership. But U.S. military action cannot be the only - or even primary - component of our leadership in every instance. Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail."
Some Congressional leaders have criticized Obama for failing stop the violence in Syria. Today he responded: With the additional resources I'm announcing today, we will step up our efforts to support Syria's neighbors - Jordan and Lebanon; Turkey and Iraq - as they host refugees, and confront terrorists working across Syrian borders. I will work with Congress to ramp up support for those in the Syrian opposition who offer the best alternative to terrorists and a brutal dictator."
Did President Obama effectively clarify his vision of U.S. foreign policy? What do you think of yesterday's announcement to maintain a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan through 2016? What do you make of the criticism that America's global leadership has been shrinking?
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
Brian Katulis, National Security fellow at the Center for American Progress - a D.C.-based think tank described as progressive
Barry Pavel, Former Advisor to President Obama, Vice President and Director, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council - a think tank focused on international affairs
NBA hires Richard Lapchick to analyze Donald Sterling’s impact on the league and fans
The NBA recently secured Professor Richard Lapchick to analyze the impact of Donald Sterling’s incendiary comments, on NBA players and fans.
Professor Lapchick is an internationally renown sports expert, human rights activist, and a pioneer for racial equality -- with literal scars to tell his tale.
But what exactly will his efforts into this analysis yield? Has the NBA done enough to show their support of fans and players? Will the results of his inquiry result in an effective change to racism or even the viral impact of social media?
Guests:
Richard Lapchick, Chair of DeVos, Sports Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida, human rights activist, pioneer for racial equality, and internationally recognized expert on sports issues
Harry Edwards, Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley’s Sociology Department
The Legacy of Maya Angelou
The high school dropout who became one of America’s most powerful literary voices passed away in her North Carolina home this morning at age 86.
Maya Angelou was a poet, activist, actress, professor and singer whose work is globally revered. During her lifetime, she became one of the most beloved authors in American literature, pushing literary boundaries with stories that spoke about the African-American existence under Jim Crow laws in the United States. Her book, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is one of the most praised books in literature today.
Angelou’s list of accomplishments includes three Grammys, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Medal of Arts, and the Lincoln Medal. Her countless acts of activism tied her to historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. Her most significant contribution was becoming one of the first African-American female authors to have commercial success, paving the way for future generations.
Guest:
Reverend Cecil Williams, Founder of Glide Church in San Francisco, where Maya Angelou was a frequent visitor. Cecile and Maya were close friends.