Invasion of Fallouja; The Los Angeles River Project Gathers Steam; Donald Rumsfeld Press Conference; The Future of the Democratic Party
Invasion of Fallouja
Coalition forces have begun their military assault on Fallouja as part of an all-out invasion aimed at driving insurgents out of the city. U.S. Military officials said that troops have crossed "the line of departure into the northeast sector of Fallouja to secure a foothold in the city." The U.S. military is calling the incursion Operation Phantom Fury. Larry Mantle discusses the strategic and foreign policy ramifications of this latest military action in Iraq with Joseph Cirincione, Senior Associate and Director of the Non-Proliferation Project at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Hal Kempfer, LT. Colonel in the USMC Reserves and commentator/military analyst for ABC 7 News, and Basam Al-Husseini, spokesman for Iraqi-American Council (Southern CA), and an engineer who was recruited by the Department of Defense to help re-build Iraq ("The Future of Iraq Project").
The Los Angeles River Project Gathers Steam
Los Angeles city leaders are launching a nationwide search for a consultant to design a plan to revitalize a 30-mile stretch of the LA River. The city has earmarked $3 million for the plan, which many hope will transform the Los Angeles River into a greenway linking communities along the River with the City’s urban core. Larry Mantle explores the revitalization plan with Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilman, and Melanie Winter, director of the L.A. River Project.
Donald Rumsfeld Press Conference
KPCC carries a press conference by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in which he addresses the assault on Fallouja.
The Future of the Democratic Party
Democrats are discussing the future of their party in the wake of last Tuesday’s defeat in both the Presidential and Senate races. Pundits discuss reclaiming terms like “morality” and “values,” defining them with Democratic Party ideals. Whatever happens, it is clear that an overhaul of the message and strategy is needed to revitalize the Democratic Party. Larry Mantle speaks with Will Marshall, III, president and founder of the Progressive Policy Institute, and Jerry Brown, Mayor of Oakland and former Governor of California, to discuss what’s next for the Democrats.