President Obama is set to announce Thursday that he is going issue an executive order to grant temporary legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants. Also, concerned experts convened in Winnipeg, Canada this week to discuss how the easy access of pornography is affecting children. Then, few actors have had as long and accomplished a career in showbiz as Dame Angela Lansbury.
Obama’s executive action on immigration: Its legality and its messaging
President Obama is set to announce Thursday that he is going issue an executive order to grant temporary legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants, according to the Washington Post. On Friday, the President will make the full announcement on his plans at a Las Vegas school.
Details are still sketchy, but the New York Times citing anonymous sources are reporting that Obama’s plan would grant work permits for up to five million people who are in this country illegally. However, they won’t likely get health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
The GOP has vowed to do everything it can to block such a move, just early this month House Speaker John Boehner took to the national stage to warn President Obama precisely of taking unilateral action on immigration.
Is the executive action legal? Does this represent executive power overreach? How likely would it be blocked by its opponents?
Guests:
Fawn Johnson, Congressional correspondent for the National Journal who focuses on immigration and other issues
Kris Kobach, recently re-elected Secretary of State of Kansas; nationally-recognized as an author of legislation to stop illegal immigration
David Leopold, immigration attorney based in Cleveland; past president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association
Online rights restored to sex offenders as Prop 35 is struck down
The United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down part of California’s Proposition 35, citing an infringement on free speech that is guaranteed by the First Amendment. Prop 35, a bill put on the ballot via initiated state statute, increased prison terms for human traffickers, required sex traffickers to register as sex offenders, and mandated that all registered sex offenders disclose their internet accounts, among other restrictions. Having been approved by 81% of the state’s electorate, the proposition passed with the highest success rate of any item on the California ballot since its inception in 1914.
While the rest of Prop 35 remained untouched, the 9th Circuit decided that California cannot require sex offenders to disclose their online information, data such as Internet names and other identifying information. Legal justification for the ruling came from Judge Jay S. Bybee, who wrote, “Just as the Act burdens sending child pornography and soliciting sex with minors, it also burdens blogging about political topics and posting comments to online news articles.”
Because only a three-judge panel presided over the appeal, State Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has the option of further appealing the case en banc, legalese for in front of the entire 9th Circuit. While it is unclear whether the public or the attorney general will come out to fight over the striking down of this provision, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who appealed the case is determined to defend what they see as the speech rights of an unpopular group and to protect anonymous speech overall.
Will the court’s decision lead to a battle over one of the most popular laws in the state’s history? Can court rulings be swayed by the public?
Guests
Janice Bellucci, President of California Reform Sex Offender Laws
How can sex ed tackle the ubiquity of pornography for 'Generation XXX'
Concerned experts convened in Winnipeg, Canada this week to discuss how the easy access of pornography is affecting children. They cite statistics showing that 90 percent of kids between the ages of 8 and 16 have watched online pornography at least once - most while doing homework. Parents and educators are faced with an urgent task of having "the talk" not just about the birds and the bees but the sometimes very dark world of porn.
Cordelia Anderson, author of "The Impact of Pornography on Children, Youth and Culture," says "Even if your child has not been exposed to porn that does not mean she or he will not be affected by school friends, boyfriends, girlfriends who might have distorted views of sexuality." As if sex ed were not controversial enough, at what age can parents and educators add the topic of porn to sex education and media literacy? And what language and tone can help teach children who cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality?
Guests:
Elizabeth Schroeder, Ph.D., Sexuality Education expert; Former Executive Director of Answer, an organization based at Rutgers University that trains educators about sex education.
Cordelia Anderson, author of "The Impact of Pornography on Children, Youth and Culture;" Presenter at the symposium “Generation XXX ” held in Winnipeg Canada earlier this week that focused on the extent of accessibility of online porn.
What are the best signs in California?
Whether you’re talking about Capitol Records, Bob’s Big Boy, Felix the Cat or the famous Hollywood sign, Southern California is home to some iconic signs. Today we’re talking about your favorite business signs. Where are they; what are they; and why do you love them. From bright neon to fun animations to sheer size, tell us about them!
We want to see pictures of your favorite signs. We even made a map of the best signs and want to add to it! You can post them in comments or you can tag them on , Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #signsofsocal.
Angela Lansbury on her long career and bringing ‘Blithe Spirit’ to LA
Few actors have had as long and accomplished a career in showbiz as Dame Angela Lansbury. She might be best known to American audience for her role as Jessica Fletcher in “Murder, She Wrote,” which ran from 1984 to 1996.
She was nominated for an Oscar three times – for her supporting work in “The Manchurian Candidate,” “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and “Gaslight.” She has nabbed six Golden Globes, five Tony Awards, in addition to being nominated multiple times for an Emmy.
This winter, Lansbury will reprise her role as Madame Arcati (for which she won her fifth Tony Award) in the Noel Coward play “Blithe Spirit.” Performances for the show start Tuesday, Dec. 9, and run through Jan. 18, 2015, at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre. The play is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Michael Blakemore (“Kiss Me, Kate,” “Copenhagen”).
Lansbury talked about the play, her acting career and more.
For more info and to buy tickets, go here. Her final run is Sunday, Jan. 18th.
Guest:
Angela Lansbury, actress