Update on the San Bruno fire. Obama's press conference. Judge rules Don't Ask, Don't Tell unconstitutional. Then, TGI FilmWeek! We review this week's new movies, including The Romantics, I'm Still Here, Heartbreaker, Sequestro, Legendary, and more. Later, Sequestro director Jorge Atalla on kidnappings in Brazil.
San Bruno fire update
At least 4 people have died in a natural gas line explosion and fire which began last night in a residential neighborhood in San Bruno, outside of San Francisco. Firefighters are working to contain the fire which has so far destroyed 53 homes and damaged 120 others while Pacific Gas and Electric Company officials are trying to cut off the source of the gas line. Witnesses said that the initial fireball appeared to incinerate 8 houses before flames spread throughout the rest of the neighborhood. What responsibilities lie with PG&E in ensuring that the damage is taken care of? What caused the pipeline blast and could it have been prevented?
Guests:
Julie Small, KPCC's State Capital Reporter
Jeff Smith, spokesman, PG&E
President Obama faces the press: Qurans, economy, health care, oh my!
President Obama held his 8th (and possibly longest) press conference this morning, responding to heavy-hitting and lighter questions. His answers ranged from Afghanistan and Middle East peace negotiations, to health care, the economy, and the preacher who would burn Qurans. He also addressed rumors about his religion, noting, “As someone who relies heavily on my Christian faith in my job, I understand the passions that religious faith can raise.” Was any new ground broken? And did Obama’s answers have a campaign feel?
Guests:
Mike Memoli, Tribune Washington bureau and was live-tweeting Obama’s press conference at @latimes/politicsnow
Glenn Thrush, Senior White House reporter for POLITICO
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ruled unconstitutional: will the decision stand?
On Thursday, a federal judge in Riverside, California ruled that the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prevents gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military, is unconstitutional, violating the First and Fifth Amendments. The ruling, which comes from a 2004 suit filed by the Log Cabin Republicans, marks the first successful case against the policy since it was introduced in 1993. U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips found that “don’t ask, don’t tell” caused the discharge of many servicemen and hurt military recruitment efforts. Will the ruling stand and how will it affect the future of our troops?
Guest:
Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times reporter
FilmWeek: The Romantics, I'm Still Here, Heartbreaker, Legendary
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Wade Major of boxoffice.com and Henry Sheehan of henrysheehan.com discuss several films opening this week including The Romantics, I’m Still Here, Heartbreaker, and Sequestro among others. TGI-FilmWeek!
Guests:
Wade Major, film critic, KPCC and boxoffice.com
Henry Sheehan, film critic, KPCC and henrysheehan.com
Bill Kling leaves American Public Media and announces search for new CEO
There are big changes ahead for American Public Media & Southern California Public Radio as CEO Bill Kling retires. Larry talks with Bill about his 44 year tenure and about the many changes that he has witnessed in public radio.
Guest:
Bill Kling, outgoing president & CEO, American Public Media Group, distributor of Marketplace, A Prairie Home Companion, Speaking of Faith, The Splendid Table, and more.
Jorge Atalla’s Sequestro
In 2002, award-winning documentary filmmaker Jorge Atalla first developed the concept for his newest film Sequestro. For four years, he and his camera crew followed the Sao Paulo police department’s Anti-Kidnapping Division on its mission to reduce kidnapping in Brazil. In 2000, there were thousands of abductions in Sao Paulo alone, and in the years following, kidnapping was at its peak in the country, until 2009, when the number of cases fell to 70. Atalla joins Larry to discuss the making of his documentary.
Guest:
Jorge Atalla, director of Sequestro, documentary filmmaker