The genesis of Arizona's SB1070: did private prison developers push the strict immigration law? Loretta Sanchez vs. Van Tran: the race for the OC congressional seat. What would a GOP-controlled Congress do? Hopefuls trying to play professional basketball - hoop dreams and NBA nightmares.
Did prison economics help muscle through Arizona’s immigration law?
State Sen. Russell Pearce was instrumental in drafting SB-1070, Arizona’s controversial immigration law, which gave police new immigration enforcement powers. While the constitutionality of the law is being decided in the courts, NPR spent the last few months looking at another aspect: who backed the bill and how it was first created. They found that private prison contractors, such as the Corrections Corporation of America, saw an opportunity to increase profits and were instrumental in drafting and pushing through the bill. Lots of companies lobby for things that increase profits. But when it comes to legislation intended to incarcerate people, does that cross a line?
Guests:
Laura Sullivan, reporter with NPR working on the investigation
Russell Pearce, Arizona State Senator; sponsor of anti-illegal immigration bill SB 1070
Tran & Sanchez battle for Santa Ana Congressional seat
She’s a Latina congresswoman fighting to hold onto her seat; he’s a Vietnamese conservative backed by the Tea Party serving in the California state assembly. The 47th congressional district race between democratic incumbent Loretta Sanchez and republican challenger Van Tran is heating up. The demographics of the heavily Hispanic district are changing rapidly with a growing 15% of voters identifying as Vietnamese – a fact that Tran hopes to turn to his advantage. With no clear partisan voting record this district could go either way in next week’s election. Who’s the strongest candidate? And what would his or her priorities be, if voters decide in their favor?
Guests:
Loretta Sanchez, Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman for California's 47th District
Van Tran, Republican Assemblyman from California’s 68th Assembly District running for congressional seat in the 47th District
What would GOP control of Congress mean?
A majority of pollsters and pundits are pointing to a Republican takeover of the House after the November 2nd election. Of course, when it comes to politics, predictions are often wrong. But given the likely scenario of House control shifting right, how will that change things? Will John Boehner (R-OH) and Barack Obama learn to get along and forge ahead with compromise legislation? Is a push to repeal healthcare in the offing? Or will Washington sink further into a deadlocked battleground of partisan maneuvering?
Guests:
Mark Barabak, Political Correspondent for the L.A. Times
Christopher Lehane, Political Consultant, Fabiani & Lehane
Matthew Continetti, Opinion Editor, The Weekly Standard
Hoop dreams or NBA nightmares?
In playgrounds, school yards and driveways all across America, boys square off to work on their jump shot, dreaming of a career in pro basketball. For those few who make it, the rewards are undeniable – colleges compete for their attention, shoe companies vie for their endorsement, TV cameras turn them into celebrities and the nation applauds them as heroes. But in reality, big basketball is a cutthroat game, where promising recruits – some as young as eight – are subject to a brutal, high pressure torrent of scrutiny and exploitation. George Dohrmann, a Sports Illustrated writer, followed a group of talented young athletes bent on NBA superstardom, and writes about their heartbreaking journey through the major-league talent mill.
Guest:
George Dohrmann, author of Play Their Hearts Out: A Coach, His Star Recruit, and the Youth Basketball Machine. Dohrman is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated and the magazine’s investigative reporter