The GOP plans a vote to de-fund Obamacare. What will happen if the healthcare law is de-funded? Then, what is the significance of the last Boeing manufacturing plant closing in Southern California? Next, DC is proposing a 24 hour ban on tattoo removal. Should the government be helping people avoid "tattoo regret?" Then, UC medical workers claim they were threatened after they went on a strike in May. Lastly, we'll look at if students really learn on school field trips, and we'll talk with authors Jared Zeizel and Dylan Tuccillo about lucid dreaming.
GOP plans a risky vote to de-fund Obamacare
House Speaker John Boehner is making amends with the conservative wing of his party by allowing Tea Party lawmakers to vote on de-funding Obamacare. It's a politically risky strategy that Democrats warn could lead to a government shutdown. The vote is set for Friday and would tie the proposal to de-fund the healthcare law to a spending bill that would keep Washington running beyond the end of the month.
The proposal would fund the government through December 15 but would strip all money away from implementing Obamacare. Republican leadership including RNC Chair Reince Priebus praised the vote, saying on Twitter that it's a "great move" and called on the Senate to get on board. President Obama, however, was not pleased and even accused House Republicans of using the debt ceiling debate to "extort a president."
If House Republicans are successful, what chance does this have of getting through the Senate? Why are Republicans attacking ObamaCare now before some of the struggles of implementation? What's the strategy here? What will happen to the healthcare law if it's de-funded?
Guests:
Lisa Mascaro, Congressional Reporter, Los Angeles Times
David Mark, Editor-in-Chief of Politix.com - with an x!
End of an era: Boeing announces closure of last aircraft manufacturing plant in Southern California
Boeing announced yesterday that it will end production of the C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets and close the final assembly facility in Long Beach in 2015. The Chicago-based aerospace giant will build the final 22 aircraft in the interim.
The company expects to lay off 3,000 employees at four sites in California, Georgia, Arizona and Missouri, starting in early 2014. The decision marks the end of large aircraft production in Southern California, once the center of the American aerospace industry.
Author D.J. Waldie, who has written extensively about the aerospace industry in Southern California, notes that during World War II Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach employed 50,000 people and at the height of the Cold War, it employed twice that. From 1910 to today, Waldie adds, we have witnessed the birth, growth, decline and disappearance of an entire industry.
What’s the significance of that for Southern California?
Guest:
D.J. Waldie, is the author of several books on Southern California and a frequent writer of the history and politics of Los Angeles; former Deputy City Manager of the city of Lakewood
Say it ain’t so! DC wants you to wait 24 hours before getting a tattoo
Certain things are forever, while body art isn’t one of them, it certainly feels like it. To prevent “tattoo remorse,” the Department of Health in the District of Columbia is considering mandating a 24-hour waiting period before someone can get body piercings or a tat.
"The licensee or operator of a body art establishment shall ensure that no tattoo artist applies any tattoo to a customer until after twenty-four hours have passed since the customer first requested the tattoo," so states the proposed language of new regulations from DC’s DoH.
Tattoo artist Kevin Hinton thinks the waiting period idea is nearly unenforceable, would be bad for business and possibly dangerous.
"I would fear that you would drive people underground possibly getting tattoos in an unsterile environment in garages, homes and apartments...of course the loss of income," said Hinton on AirTalk.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Alex Kaplan says that while he does often see patients hoping to have regrettable tattoos removed, he is unsure whether a mandated waiting period is necessary.
"I certainly have seen many patients come to me for tattoo removal who said they had just gotten the tattoo a few days earlier and they instantly regretted it," said Dr. Kaplan. "Whether there should be a law about that...That does seem like a far-reaching government move."
KPCC's online polls are not scientific surveys of local or national opinion. Rather, they are designed as a way for our audience members to engage with each other and share their views. Let us know what you think on our Facebook page, facebook.com/kpcc, or in the comments below.
What do you think? Is it a good idea, or none of anyone’s business?
Guests:
Kevin Hinton, tattoo artist at The Tattoo Lounge in Mar Vista
Dr. Alex Kaplan, cosmetic surgeon and the medical director of Celebrity Laser Spa & Surgery Center in West Los Angeles
Contentious labor relations at University of California system
California’s employment relations board that deals with public employees is investigating complaints against University of California for threatening striking workers last May. UC says it takes the allegations very seriously and strongly disagrees with the union’s claims. AFSCME Local 3299 has been negotiating with the UC system for more than a year over a new contract. Union representatives say it’s likely to reach a final impasse.
The sticking points are much the same as other public employee contract disputes of late: pension obligations and executive compensation. However, the added complexity of tuition for the universities and patient considerations at UC hospitals make the stakes even higher.
Are negotiations happening in good faith? What will bring the parties together?
Guests:
Kathryn Lybarger, President, AFSCME Local 3299 (with over 22,000 members at the University of California); Senior Gardner, UC Berkeley
Dwaine Duckett, Vice President, Human Resources, UC System
Is there still value in school field trips?
Field trips are becoming less common in schools across the country. An American Association of School Administrators survey showed that more than half of American schools completely eliminated planned field trips from the last school year.
But a recent study from the University of Arkansas found that enrichment or cultural field trips do have a lasting impact on students and an opportunity to add a greater depth to their education. The study looked at over 10,000 students at over 100 schools. The study found that students gained a greater sense of critical thinking, empathy and tolerance from the field trip.
Many schools have cut back on field trips because of budget restraints. Other schools have opted for “reward” focused trips such as outings to the movies in exchange for good test scores.
Do students really learn on field trips? Do you think schools should continue enrichment trips to places like museums and historical sites? What field trips do you remember as a child?
Guest:
Jay P. Greene, Professor of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas
Sujata Bhatt, Founder and Teacher, The Incubator School
Sleeping Consciously: A guide to lucid dreaming
A lucid dream is one in which the person is aware they are in fact dreaming. The practice of Lucid dreaming has been adopted by people to gain clarity, a deeper understanding of themselves or even for fantasy fulfillment. Friends and lucid dreamers, Thomas Peisel, Jared Zeizel and Dylan Tucillo co-authored a book detailing the steps to achieve a lucid Dream. It takes beginners through the stages needed for heightened awareness in a deep dream state.
Have you ever had a lucid dream? What would you want to do if you could control your dreams?
Guests:
Jared Zeizel , co-author “'A Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming'
Dylan Tuccillo, co-author, 'A Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming'