Today on AirTalk we'll separate the winners from losers in last nights presidential debate, look at Gov. Jerry Brown's ban on gay conversion therapy, hash-out Proposition 32 and the effect unions can have on campaign contributions, preview the off-season for both the Dodgers and Angels and a trip into the underworld of the pick-up artist. Plus, the latest news.
Romney outshines Obama in first presidential debate
In Denver last night, presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney squared off in the first of three debates. This one focused on domestic issues: the economy, health care and the role of government. Going into the debate, Obama’s poll numbers were on the rise, and the Romney camp desperately needed a strong showing to hopefully reverse the trend.
Well, they got it. The GOP candidate, who had repeated experience debating thanks to the seemingly endless Republican primary season, came out strong with a much more aggressive line of explanation for what he would do if he were president than the President. Obama, by contrast, tended to be a little sluggish, and even those on the left admit that Romney fared better in his performance.
Both campaigns have accused each other of playing fast and loose with facts; so how did they do last night on the truth-o-meter? With many debate-watchers eschewing network feeds for Twitter feeds, this was the first presidential debate where the winner could potentially emerge in real time, at least as far as public opinion goes.
How did you take in the debate? Vote in our poll and tell us your thoughts in the comments:
Weigh In:
Do you think it was a game-changer? Did you learn anything new about the candidates’ policies? If you’re still undecided, did you hear anything last night that could get you off the fence? How will this affect the debates moving forward?
Guests:
Alexandra "Alex" Gallardo-Rooker, vice-chair of the California Democratic party, representing the Obama campaign
Mike Spence, President, Conservative Republicans of California; Delegate pledged to Romney for the 2012 Republican National Convention
Brooks Jackson, director, FactCheck.org, University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center
Is banning gay conversion therapy legal?
On Sunday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that bans ‘conversion therapy’, a controversial practice intended to change the sexual orientation of homosexual minors.
A non-profit organization, The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), Monday filed a lawsuit against the new law alleging that it violates civil rights of minors. “The new law is an outrageous violation of the fundamental First Amendment and privacy rights of young people,” said Brad Dacus, the president of the PJI in an interview with L.A.’s NBC4 television station.
The therapy is based in the belief that sexual orientation can be changed and that the root of homosexuality is based in childhood trauma and it involves the use of techniques like aversion training, persuasion, and even pornography to convince gay teens that they are straight.
So does the new law violate or protect the rights of gay minors? What are the rights of religious organizations who believe that homosexuality is a sin?
Guest:
Brad Dacus, president, Pacific Justice Institute, a non-profit legal defense organization that defends parental rights and religious freedom
David Codell, board member, Equality California and pro bono counsel
Prop 32 would change organized labor’s influence on California’s political process
This November, California voters face another choice that would reform campaign finance in the bill Proposition 32 — the "Paycheck Protection" Initiative.
Prop 32 would make it illegal for unions to use payroll-deducted funds for political contributions as well as tighten restrictions on monies appropriated to campaigns and committees by unions. In addition, the measure would make it illegal for government contractors to contribute to elected officials who have a hand in awarding them a contract, at least while that contract is under consideration or is in effect.
Californians critical of the power of unions feel that the bill would return power and influence to voters. President of Net Check Investigations Jonathan Kraut said under current legislation, individuals don't know where their contributions get used.
"The payroll deduction is automatic; that money is going wherever the corporation or union decides it goes. [Prop 32] allows an individual to decide where that money should go to some extent, and also, doesn't preclude them from making an individual contribution," he said. "This takes the power away from the people who run the corporations and the people who run the unions, who use other peoples' money."
Those opposed to Prop 32 cite a number of loopholes that exempt LLCs, partnerships and real estate trusts. Those omissions, they say, would make the bill a boon for special interests.
"Under Prop 32, a corporation CEO, its board members, its executives, all could still make contributions to candidates," said Grant Davis-Denny, board member of California Common Cause. "Prop 32 exempts a number of forms of businesses that you would traditionally think of as corporations. The notion that this would somehow reduce the influence in corporations in Sacramento, I think, is a sham."
Denny added that the proposition interferes with employee's personal lives by prohibiting payroll deductions.
"Payroll deductions have long been a convenient way for people to pool their money to participate in the political process. Just like it's a convenient way to have money deducted to support our healthcare programs or retirement benefits," he said.
Proponents of Prop 32 include former California state senator Gloria Romero, former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan and the California Republican Party, while The California Labor Federation, the California League of Women Voters and the California Democratic Party are campaigning in opposition.
Prop Breakdown:
Official Title — Political Contributions by Payroll Deduction. Contributions to Candidates. Initiative Statute.Ban both corporate and labor union contributions to candidates Prohibit government contractors from contributing money to government officials who award them contracts Prohibit corporations and labor unions from collecting political funds from employees and union members using the inherently coercive means of payroll deduction Make all employee political contributions by any other means strictly voluntary
Weigh In:
What is the influence of union money on political campaigns? What are your concerns about campaign finance spending? How would Prop 32 make the election process more transparent?
Guests:
Jonathan Kraut, president of Net Check Investigations, an employment screening and private investigation firm; president of the Santa Clarita Interfaith Council
Grant Davis-Denny, board member of California Common Cause, an organization dedicated to improving government accountability; partner at Munger, Tolles (TOLLS) & Olson
Both the Dodgers and Angels miss the playoffs: what’s next for L.A. baseball?
For Los Angeles baseball fans, there is always next year. Both the Dodgers and the Angels’ 2012 playoff hopes were dashed with a pair of losses on Tuesday night and both franchises now face a long offseason during which to consider their respective futures.
The Angels had high hopes for the 2012 season after acquiring all-star first baseman Albert Pujols from St. Louis when he became a free agent following the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series victory, but even the record setting home run slugger couldn’t get the Angeles into the postseason in his first season in Anaheim.
The Dodgers got their bad news in Chavez Ravine with a 4-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday evening. The Dodgers organization began the 2012 season with major changes in their front office after a protracted unpopularity contest that made for good headlines but poor baseball. After declining ticket sales and an ongoing divorce controversy with his wife, long-embattled former owner Frank McCourt sold the Dodgers to a consortium of Los Angeles investors led by former Lakers star-turned-businessman Magic Johnson just as the season opened.
Will new ownership mean a new direction for the Dodgers or is it too soon to tell? Is Albert Pujols the golden goose that will get the Angels into the playoffs in 2013? Which team will have a better season next year?
Guest:
Nick Roman, KPCC’s Managing Editor
The Game: Does the pickup artist's playbook still work?
Have you ever tried an opener on an HB 10? Did you end up negging your way to a kiss close? Do you have any idea what these terms mean?
If not, than you may be completely unaware of an entire community of codes, strategies and systems for men to connect with women.
Pickup artists (PUAs), as they refer to themselves, attempt to give men a means to successfully hit on women at bars, clubs, on college campuses or in basically any other social setting. Some men, especially those who started with very low confidence, sing the praises of this technique as it legitimately allowed them to feel comfortable enough to start talking to women.
One of these men is Neil Strauss, author the “The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists.” Strauss got his start as a journalist for the Rolling Stone, and then was asked to explore the secret community of pick up artists. Now he has literally written the book on the techniques of the pick up artist.
But seven years after publication are these strategies still as effective as they were?
“The answer is in the big picture people don’t really change, human nature is always the same… a lot of people are more aware of it, but the thing is if it doesn’t really change what you do, and even if somebody calls you out and recognizes what you’re doing, guess what you are now having a conversation,” said Strauss on AirTalk.
As far as the kind of men that are a part of this seduction community, Strauss acknowledges that some of them are the “cheesy players,” however he also says that about 40 percent of the community is just guys who aren’t lucky in love, another 20 percent is guys who have had their self-esteem shattered from a bad relationship, some guys who have gone through college watching other guys have fun, and some really good-looking guys who just don’t see what other people see.
For the most part they are, “the nice guys who have just found that being nice doesn’t get them anywhere,” said Strauss.
Gayle Laakmann McDowell , author of “Cracking the Coding Interview” and “The Google Résumé,” agrees with Strauss’ analysis, saying that for the most part these are guys who are, “just lonely and want a girlfriend.”
McDowell can also address how women feel in these situations, as she acted as a test dummy for some classes. She thinks that one of the issues with these techniques is how men believe they can break a women’s response down to a formula.
“One of the big problems is some of the pick up artists will get formulaic and wont be able to break out of it and realize what women are doing and saying is really just what they are doing or saying… it’s not necessarily this game or this test,” she said.
Another problem she finds is with some of the instructional forums in being a pick-up artist. As she and Strauss agreed, most men are just lonely and looking for a chance to meet somebody worthwhile. However, “In the instruction of the forums, a lot is very focused around getting the hottest girl possible for a one-night stand,” she said. “Most guys are not looking for that. There is a mismatch between what guys are looking for and what guys are getting”
Did McDowell find these techniques effective? Or as many people feel, would men be better off just being courteous and kind?
“The guys I know who are the most successful with women are the ones who actually are very social friendly, nice, good people, but that doesn’t mean that they are weak,” she said.
So how does a good pickup artist define the line? And how is the best way to handle their advances as a woman? Have you ever picked someone up or been picked up on? Let us know how it went. (Of course, you don’t have to tell us everything.)
Guests:
Neil Strauss, author of “The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists”
Gayle Laakmann McDowell , author of “Cracking the Coding Interview” and “The Google Résumé,” wrote a detailed answer to a Quora website contributor’s question “Why Are Women So Negative About the ‘Pickup Artist’ Community?” and volunteered as a “female test dummy” for some pickup artist classes