Today on AirTalk, we discuss the global and historical impact of Pope Francis's endorsement of same-sex civil unions. Also on the show, we talk to LAPD chief Michel Moore about the latest news relating to his department; speak with Peace and Freedom presidential candidate Gloria LaRiva; and more.
We Talk To A Theologian About Pope Francis’s Endorsement Of Same-Sex Civil Unions
Pope Francis endorsed same-sex civil unions for the first time as pontiff while being interviewed for the feature-length documentary “Francesco,” which premiered Wednesday at the Rome Film Festival.
The papal thumbs-up came midway through the film that delves into issues Francis cares about most, including the environment, poverty, migration, racial and income inequality, and the people most affected by discrimination.
“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God,” Francis said in one of his sit-down interviews for the film. “You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”
While serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages. However, he had never come out publicly in favor of civil unions as pope.
We discuss the implications and the larger context of this news with a theologian.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
Cecilia González-Andrieu, professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University
LAPD Chief Moore: Report on LAPD Excessive Force, Election Night-Related Unrest & More
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore joins Larry Mantle for his monthly check-in on AirTalk. Topics discussed include:
- Data show few LAPD officers report excessive force by peers; better tracking promised
- Police chief predicts L.A. will top 300 homicides this year
- LAPD preparing for election-related unrest
- LAPD’s response to Lakers celebrations has renewed calls to restrict police use of projectiles
- Chief says COVID-19 responsible for more gun violence, killings
- Flaws in LAPD's process for accepting outside donations cited
- Transgender woman subject to targeted attack in MacArthur Park
- LAPD desk officer attacked with his own gun in San Pedro police station
- In South L.A., police join community leaders to denounce gun violence
- Black people disproportionately cited in California, study finds
- Check-in on LAPD diversion program
Guest:
Michel Moore, Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department; he tweets
New State Protocols Say Disneyland, Universal Studios Can't Reopen Until County COVID-19 Spread Decreases
The state has released full reopening guidelines for theme parks/amusement parks. Smaller theme parks are allowed to resume operations in Tier 3 (orange/moderate spread), while all theme parks — including larger ones like Disneyland — will be allowed to resume operations in Tier 4 (yellow/minimal spread).
Large theme parks will have a limited capacity of 25 percent when allowed to reopen.
Small theme parks are limited to 25 percent capacity or 500 people, whichever is fewer. Those are defined as theme parks with a capacity of 15,000 or less. They are only allowed to open outdoor attractions, and ticket sales are limited to visitors in the same county.
Responding to concerns about whether large counties will be able to get to the yellow tier, Ghaly said that the state believes that it's possible, but that it will require a lot of work and vigilance. He cited San Francisco County as an example of a county that's made that kind of progress.
All theme parks are required to implement reservation systems and screen guests for symptoms in advance, while face coverings will be mandatory throughout the park unless eating or drinking.
With files from LAist
Read more on LAist
Guest:
Mike Roe, KPCC arts and entertainment reporter; he tweets
AirTalk Interviews The 2020 Presidential Candidates: Peace and Freedom Party's Gloria La Riva
While the vast majority of voters in the U.S. will be choosing between Donald Trump and Joe Biden when they cast their 2020 presidential votes, there are still several other candidates on the presidential ticket.
And while victory would be a near statistical impossibility, these candidates are running in the hopes of being an alternative to those voters who might be turned off by the divisiveness or platforms of the major parties and to bring national attention to some of the issues their campaign and party hold close.
This year, making her second straight appearance on the ticket as the nominee for the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), is native New Mexican and current San Franciscan Gloria La Riva, who has also run twice for California governor in 1994 and 1998. La Riva’s campaign website identifies her as “a labor, community and anti-war activist” and say that in 2016 she got more votes than any Socialist candidate has in more than 40 years. La Riva is running on a ten point program in which she advocates for replacing capitalism with socialism, shutting down all U.S. military bases around the world and bringing troops home and “making the essentials of life into constitutional rights.”
Today on AirTalk, PSL candidate Gloria La Riva joins Larry Mantle to talk about her 2020 campaign and platform. If you have questions for Ms. La Riva, you can join our live conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Gloria La Riva, 2020 Party for Socialism and Liberation candidate for president on the Peace and Freedom Party Ticket in California; she tweets