On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly said he would consider expanding the existing ban on laptops in passenger cabins to all aircrafts flying in and out of the United States - we debate the pros and cons. We'll also catch up on the latest from the White House; what to do when witnessing public harassment; mining asteroids in space?; and more.
Week in politics: Making sense of reports of Kushner-Russia ties, plus the chances of a staff shakeup at the White House
All eyes are back on Washington D.C. as President Trump has returned from his nine-day trip overseas and as business picks back up following the Memorial Day holiday, Mr. Trump must return to the realities of being president.
This week, that means dealing with the continuation of the investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the transition into the White House. The new wrinkles? A Washington Post story that came out Friday citing U.S. officials briefed on intelligence reports who said that President Trump’s confidant and son-in-law Jared Kushner tried to set up a secret ‘back channel’ communication line with the Kremlin using Russian facilities. It was followed by a New York Times article alleging that he may have tried to do so through a well-connected Russian banker whose financial institution is under sanction by the U.S.
We’ve also learned that White House communications director Mike Dubke has announced he’ll leave the White House, which has some speculating it could be a sign of a larger staff shakeup to come.
Also on our docket this week, the future of U.S. involvement in the Paris Accord, reviewing the Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of Republicans plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and a look ahead to whether Republicans will run to or from President Trump in the 2018 midterm elections.
Guests:
Caroline Heldman, associate professor of politics at Occidental College and co-author of ‘Rethinking Madam President: Are We Ready for a Woman in the White House?’ (Lynne Rienner Pub, 2007)
Jack Pitney, professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College
What do you do if you witness or experience public harassment?
This past Friday, two men were stabbed to death and a third man injured when they tried to intervene as another man went on a racist tirade aimed at two young women on a commuter train in Portland.
In light of Friday’s events, we speak with former police chief of Boca Raton, Florida, Andrew J. Scott, regarding what someone can do and what considerations they should think about while witnessing or experiencing public harassment, be it racist speech, sexual harassment or another incident that might be in danger of escalating.
We also want to hear from you. What have you done when you witnessed or experienced public harassment? What did you consider – escape routes, calling the police, the physical size of those involved – before choosing to intervene, or not intervene?
Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Andrew J. Scott, former police chief of Boca Raton, Florida; president of AJS Consulting with 30 years of law enforcement experience
Weighing the real danger of allowing laptops on international flights
On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly said he would consider expanding the existing ban on laptops in passenger cabins to all planes flying in and out of the United States.
Currently, the Department of Homeland Security does not allow passengers from 10 airports, primarily in the Middle East, to carry any electronic devices larger than a cell phone onto their flights. The ban was put in place out of concern of terrorist attacks.
How dangerous would it be to continue allowing laptops and tablets on international flights? As a passenger, how much are you willing to risk for access to your electronic devices? And how likely is it that a ban like this would actually be put in place?
Guest:
Hugo Martin, staff writer covering the airline industry for the Los Angeles Times; he’s been following the story
Asteroid mining is a real possibility, but is it legal?
No one has mined an asteroid yet, but the technology already exists.
Whether it’s for water, metal or gasses, asteroids could become a vital resource for long-term astronauts working out in space, and technically, at least under U.S. law, asteroid-mining is completely legal.
But our national law, which is currently under review by the United Nations, might not have enough clout against the 50-year-old “Outer Space Treaty” (officially, Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies).
So how does this international space treaty actually work, and who regulates what goes on beyond earth’s atmosphere? With growing commercial interests and advances in tech, should we expect to see a gold rush in space? What are the ethics behind mining asteroids, and how close are we to this happening?
Guests:
Sagi Kfir, general counsel of Deep Space Industries, a space resource utilization company specializing in small spacecraft technology for asteroid mining
Joanne Gabrynowicz, director of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and professor emerita of space law; she was also editor-in-chief of the Journal of Space Law for 12 years and advises both the U.S. and U.N. on space law issues
How Otis Redding became the sound of ‘60’s soul—and its history
When Otis Redding died tragically in 1967, he’d already left behind a body of work that is iconic with soul music.
In his book, “Otis Redding: An Unfinished Life,” Jonathan Gould captures the missing part of Redding’s legacy: the history behind it. Gould places Redding in history, and shows how soul music bridged a country at the height of racialized tension in the 60s.
Larry Mantle spoke with Gould about Redding’s life, his legacy in American music, and how the songs we listen to reflect the times we live in.
Guest:
Jonathan Gould, former musician and writer based out of New York state; he is the author of “Can’t Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain, and American” and his latest book, “Otis Redding: An Unfinished Life”