We discuss yesterday's sweeping decisions for reform from the LA Police Commission, including a faster response for releasing body cam footage and more de-escalation training; President Obama writes about an ambitious but continued desire for the U.S. to reach Mars in the next 20 years; and the new California Attorney General may be in the hands of Gov. Jerry Brown.
How cops feel about the LAPD’s new reforms
The LA Police Commission unanimously voted yesterday to have the LAPD more quickly release information about police shootings.
A nearly year-long study by the Department's Inspector General looked at how other law enforcement agencies release shooting details and video of the incidents. The study also focused on training methods used by other Departments.
The Commission voted to have LAPD officers get more role-playing training to help them learn how to de-escalate encounters and avoid uses of deadly force. In his comments yesterday, Chief Beck didn't sound opposed to the Commission's directive. However, the union for his officers isn't happy. We’ll hear from the union and get reaction from listeners.
Read LAPPL's Statement on the LA Police Commission’s Latest Effort to Appease Anti-Police Activists:
Statement on Police Commission by Southern California Public Radio on Scribd
Guest:
Lou Turriaga, director for the Los Angeles Police Protective League
Scientist explores possibility of putting people on Mars by 2030s
Humanity has long contemplated the idea of colonizing Mars, and modern technological and engineering advances are getting us closer and closer to realizing that dream.
But could it be as close as 20 years away?
In an op-ed President Obama wrote for CNN this week, he talks about his continuing sense of wonder about space exploration and his goal for humanity to send some of its own to the red planet by the 2030s. He says that the U.S. government is working with private partners to develop the equipment and technology that would be needed to keep people alive on the nearly yearlong journey to Mars.
Are the President’s ambitious realistic or is he shooting for the stars? What would it take for humanity to be prepared to send humans to colonize Mars? Who are the major players?
Guest:
David Reitzel, Ph.D., astronomical lecturer at Griffith Observatory; he tweets
ACLU investigation: Twitter, FB, Instagram provided data to help police track protesters
An ACLU investigation has found that three of the most popular social networking sites in the country – Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram—were giving user data to a surveillance software developed by a company called Geofeedia, which law enforcement agencies in Oakland, Calif., and Baltimore, Mo., allegedly used to track protesters.
The ACLU learned about Geofeedia and its use by police departments from public records requests to a number of law enforcement agencies.
Should law enforcement be able to obtain social media data to monitor protests? Is it a violation of the privacy of users?
Guests:
Malkia Cyril, Executive Director of The Center for Media Justice, a nonprofit that promotes digital equity. She has spearheaded national grassroots efforts for Net Neutrality, and against mass digital surveillance. She is a co-signer of a letter that the ACLU has sent to various social media sites over its Geofeedia investigation
Ronald T. Hosko, President of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit in Virginia. He is also former head of the FBI’s criminal investigative division
A shortlist of contenders for California’s next attorney general
Gov. Jerry Brown may be picking California’s next attorney general.
Kamala Harris would leave California’s attorney general position open if she wins the U.S. Senate race, giving Brown the go-ahead to name the new state AG. The last time the position was left vacant before a California attorney general’s term ended was 1964. Brown’s pick for the potential vacancy would take on the position for the next two years.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer’s name has come up as a possible contender. San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón may also fit the bill. Could L.A. County D.A. Jackie Lacey and Alameda County D.A. Nancy O’Malley meet the criteria? Larry speaks to legal affairs reporter Bob Egelko about names that could surface on Brown’s shortlist for California’s AG.
Guest:
Bob Egelko, legal affairs reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle; he wrote the recent article, “If Harris wins Senate seat, Brown gets important appointment”; he tweets at
When the Billy Bushes of your workplace tip the scale from talented to untouchable
The 2005 "Access Hollywood" video of a lewd exchange between Donald Trump and Billy Bush could mean the end of Bush's career at NBC - especially after a pile-on from others complaining about Bush.
After the network suspended the “Today” co-host for role in the Trump conversation, a handful of Hollywood publicists came out with their own pronouncements about bad behavior by Bush. Marcel Pariseau, a partner at True Public Relations, whose clients include Scarlett Johansson, wrote on Facebook: "He was rude and lewd to a few female clients of mine. [I'm] Boycotting the 9 a.m. hour of the Today show."
It seems the network must assess whether Bush's talent and appeal is high enough to withstand the controversy. The entertainment business is full of polarizing personalities, but many succeed because they are great writers or directors or performers.
If you work in a different industry, why have some "star" employees been able to thrive despite bad behavior?
Guest:
Stephen Battaglio, staff writer for The Los Angeles Times covering TV and media biz out of New York; “Billy Bush is exiting NBC ‘Today’ over Trump Tape Scandal”
Dan Piraro on his new coloring book, his bizarre life and his work
Award-winning cartoonist and illustrator Dan Piraro, whose syndicated 'Bizarro' has graced the Funnies of many a newspaper, is out with a new cartoon coloring book for adults.
Piraro's world-view permeates his new work: "Creative Haven Bizarro Land Coloring Book."
Larry talks to Piraro about his latest venture, as well as his offbeat life and work.
You can also meet Dan Piraro in person for upcoming signings at Vroman's Bookstore on Oct. 17 or South Pasadena Library's Arts Crawl on Oct. 22.
Guest:
Dan Piraro, Cartoonist of the comic strip Bizarro; His new adult coloring book is called “Bizarro Land”