Today on AirTalk, we'll discuss Laguna Beach's new law that holds parents accountable for underage drinking. We'll take a look at the most recent conflict in the Gaza strip, and later consider the crosstown rivalry between USC and UCLA before the Rose Bowl game this weekend. On FilmWeek, the critics join Larry to review Anna Karenina, Silver Linings Playbook, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2, and more.
The ongoing accountability question for alcohol and minors
The coastal Orange County city of Laguna Beach this week joined a list of about 100 other California communities when their City Council approved a measure that would penalize parents who allow minors to use alcohol and drugs in their homes.
The fact that the new law – commonly known as a social host ordinance – does not discriminate whether or not the parents are aware of the activity of the minors prompted some residents to voice opposition, with some residents complaining to the City Council that the law would allow some parents to break the law by serving alcohol to minors in their homes at the same time that parents who were unaware underage drinking was taking place could face punishment and fines.
In some cultures it is more commonplace for minors to consume a glass of wine at a family meal, but America has typically taken a more puritanical approach to alcohol in general. Most countries allow their residents to purchase and consume alcohol at the age of 18, and some allow parents more leeway to determine what’s appropriate in their household.
In the U.S., the nationwide legal drinking age is 21, but ongoing problems of binge drinking and drug use still permeate our society. At California’s Chico State University, the school recently suspended all sorority and fraternity activity this week after a student died of alcohol poisoning after consuming 21 shots on his 21st birthday.
Is more tolerance or more legislation the better way to address the abuse of alcohol and drugs in our society? Who is ultimately accountable for how parents address the serving of alcohol in their homes?
Guest:
Laurie Levenson, professor of Law, Loyola Law School and a former federal prosecutor
Bloody battle in the Middle East
Violence has been escalating sharply in the Gaza Strip and Israel in recent days. Israel launched a strike on Wednesday that killed Hamas leader Ahmed Al-Jaabari, then followed up with air attacks that killed ten and wounded forty, including the 11-month-old son of a BBC journalist.
Hamas militants in turn fired rockets that killed three Israelis. This firestorm follows months of attacks between Palestinian and Israeli forces, and despite a Tuesday truce negotiated by Egypt. Egypt has condemned the attacks, withdrawn its ambassador from Israel and called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Why has the conflict intensified again between Israelis and Palestinians? Is this type of violence inevitable without peace talks? What role could a new Egyptian leadership play? How will the White House respond?
Guests:
David Siegel, Consul General of Israel for Los Angeles
Yousef Munayyer, Executive Director, The Palestine Center
Filmweek: Anna Karenina, Silver Linings Playbook, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 and more
Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Claudia Puig and Henry Sheehan to review the week’s new film releases including Anna Karenina, Silver Linings Playbook, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 and more. TGI-FilmWeek!
Anna Karenina:
Silver Linings Playbook:
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2:
Barrymore
Holy Motors
Cafe de Flore
Citadel
Generation P
Guests:
Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA Today
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and dearhenrysheehan.com