Today on AirTalk, we recap last night's third democratic presidential debate, with a panel of political analysts. We also examine California's controversial Topical Forest Standard program which legislators will be considering later this month; and more.
The Third Democratic Debates: Recap And Analysis
Joe Biden parried attack after attack from liberal rivals Thursday night on everything from health care to immigration in a debate that showcased profound ideological divides between the Democratic Party’s moderate and progressive wings.
The prime-time debate also elevated several struggling candidates, giving them a chance to introduce themselves to millions of Americans who are just beginning to follow the race.
We recap the latest. Plus, did a moment in last night’s debate change your mind about a candidate? If so, call us at 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Amanda Renteria, president of Emerge America, a national organization that works to identify and train Democratic women who want to run for political office; she is the former national political director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has been a staffer for Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); she tweets
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; he is a former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Reagan and H.W. Bush
Controversial Tropical Forest Standard Program Divides Scientists, Environmental Groups
California is weighing a controversial plan to help protect tropical forests, but some argue the move has too many pitfalls and shouldn’t be implemented.
According to the L.A. Times, the Tropical Forest Standard proposal, TFS, would divert billions of dollars to other countries, like Brazil, as an effort to fight deforestation. The money, sourced from companies that offset their own emissions through carbon credits, would be directed towards funding sustainable industries. Some say it’s the best way to preserve tropical forests and combat climate change. TFS programs aren’t new and proponents have said they’ve attempted to learn from past mistakes.
Governments participating would only receive credit for forest that is spared beyond their baseline goal and progress must be closely monitored and independently verified, according to the L.A. Times. But others call the proposal “misguided,” saying offsets would enable American companies to keep polluting. Critics say the standard of the program is inherently flawed and California should be looking to other efforts that have been proven to work. Some are also concerned about where the money is going, particularly when it comes to Brazil, after President Jair Bolsonaro’s recent outbursts regarding fires raging in the Amazon.
Guests:
Christina McCain, director of Latin American climate initiatives for the Environmental Defense Fund, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group
Katie Valenzuela, policy and political director for the California Environmental Justice Alliance, a coalition of environmental justice organizations which focuses on statewide policy solutions
FilmWeek: ‘Hustlers,’ ‘The Goldfinch,’ ‘Monos’ And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases:
"Hustlers" in wide release
"The Goldfinch" in wide release
"Monos" at the ArcLight Hollywood & The Landmark
"The Parting Glass" on VOD
"Desolation Center" at the ArcLight Hollywood, Laemmle’s Playhouse & Laemmle’s Monica Film Center
"Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins" at Laemmle's Royal
"The Weekend" at Laemmle's NoHo & on VOD
"The Sound Of Silence" at Laemmle's Royal
"Neither Wolf Nor Dog" at Laemmle’s Playhouse
"Freaks" in select theaters
"3 Days with Dad" at Laemmle’s Music Hall
"Scarborough" at Laemmle’s Music Hall
"Can You Keep a Secret?" at Galaxy Mission Grove
CRITICS' HITS:
Christy: "Hustlers," "Monos," "The Parting Glass" & "Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins"
Tim: "Desolation Center," "3 Days with Dad," "The Weekend," "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" & "Scarborough"
MIXED FEELINGS:
Christy: "The Sound Of Silence"
MISSES:
Christy: "The Goldfinch" & "Can You Keep a Secret?"
Tim: "Freaks"
Guests:
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ podcast; she tweets
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
King (Of Film) In The North: The Movies Getting Early Oscar Buzz At The Toronto International Film Festival
Film festivals like Sundance and Telluride may be household names in the states, but film buffs and festival frequenters know that the Toronto International Film Festival is just as important and visible a platform for young and international filmmakers to showcase their work and maybe even have their films bought up by a studio.
The 2019 edition of the festival wraps up this Saturday after nearly two weeks of screenings and Q&As in Toronto, and on display have been both major studio films like Warner Brothers’ “Joker” starring Joaquin Phoenix and Sony Pictures biopic “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers as well as indies like Trey Edward Shults’ drama “Waves” starring Sterling K. Brown and famed French filmmaker Agnès Varda’s final film “Varda By Agnès,” a moving scrapbook of her long and highly-acclaimed career.
Today on AirTalk, Larry Mantle talks with KPCC FilmWeek critic Peter Rainer, who has been in Toronto watching movies at TIFF and will share some of his highlights from the festival.
For more information on Toronto International Film Festival, and to see a full list of the films screening, click here.
Guest:
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor; he is in Toronto attending TIFF 2019