Latest from the Gulf on BP's oil spill cleanup effort. Republican candidate for Attorney General John Eastman. Later, Israel's raid on a flotilla headed for Gaza.
BP's next attempt to stop oil spill
BP will try again today to stem the flow the oil that has been pouring from an undersea well into the Gulf of Mexico for six weeks. The planned operation involves cutting the well's broken riser pipe and then capping it to funnel the oil to a tanker of the surface. If successful, the containment dome could capture most of the oil, though it could make the spill worse if it fails. Is this attempt likely to work? At the same time, Attorney General Eric Holder will tour the Gulf Coast today and meet with federal prosecutors and state attorneys general, in what could lead to a criminal investigation into the spill. What laws might have been broken?
Guests:
Jim Tankersley, Energy and Environmental Policy Reporter for the L.A. Times and the Chicago Tribune
Iraj Ershagi, Director of the Petroleum Engineering program at USC
John Eastman - candidate for Attorney General
John Eastman, the former dean of Chapman Law School in Orange County, is one of a trio of GOP candidates battling for their party’s nomination for AG. Recent polls show him lagging behind rivals California Senator Tom Harman and District Attorney Steve Cooley, the presumed favorite, but large numbers of voters remain undecided. Eastman, who served as a clerk to Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas, hopes to “vigorously pursue the rights of law-abiding citizens and victims over criminals” if he is elected. There’s been controversy surrounding Eastman’s use of the job description “assistant attorney general,” which a judge ruled he could not use because it was misleading. What impact – if any – might this have on his candidacy? Can Eastman rise above his underdog status in this race?
Guest:
John Eastman, Dean of the Chapman University School of Law (from 2007 to February 2010); Republican candidate for California Attorney General
Israeli Raid on Turkish Ships Bringing Aid to Gaza
Israel is facing international criticism after its raid on a flotilla in international waters left at least nine dead. The United Nations Security Council and others have urged an immediate impartial review of the raid on a vessel carrying humanitarian aid and passengers. Was Israel fairly enforcing its blockade on Gaza? Or was the raid tantamount to piracy? Were the protesters victims or aggressors? And, should the blockade on Gaza be lifted?
Guests:
Hon. Jacob Dayan, Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles
Hussein Ibish, Senior Fellow, American Task Force on Palestine