President Obama helps Chicago's Olympics bid, the L.A. Kings hires its own sports reporter, concerns about Chinese adoption, extending the Patriot Act, and a look at disorders of sex development.
Obama goes to Denmark for Olympic pitch
President Obama will travel to Copenhagen on Friday to encourage International Olympic Committee officials to choose Chicago as the host of the 2016 Summer Games. Other cities under consideration are Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro, and an announcement will be made later on Friday. Larry Mantle discusses the president's trip and looks at the chances for Chicago's bid.
Guest
Ken Vogel, senior reporter for Politico
L.A. Kings hires its own sports reporter
Cut backs at major newspapers have left many local beats all but uncovered. The LA Kings, unsatisfied with the level of coverage of sports in LA, has decided to do something novel--and perhaps a bit unnerving. They are "paying" for coverage by hiring Los Angeles Daily News sports reporter Rich Hammond. But how can one expect objective coverage under such circumstances? What does this mean for the future of sports reporting and reporting generally?
Guests:
Rich Hammond, Deputy Sports Editor for the Los Angeles Daily News
Mike Altieri, a spokesman for the L.A. Kings
Chinese adoption concerns
Since the 1990's, more than 80,000 Chinese children have been adopted abroad, with the common belief that many were abandoned due to the government's one-child policy and a preference for having boys. Those who violate the policy are subject to heavy fines, but Chinese parents are coming forward to report that some officials instead are taking their children forcefully and putting them up for adoption. These officials are motivated to profit from the $3,000 per child that adoptive parents pay to orphanages. Larry Mantle looks into the story and discusses the concerns and available options for parents of adopted children.
Guests:
Barbara Demick, Beijing Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Times
Jill Boyer, Community Services Program Director, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services
Susan Robinson, adoptive parent of a teenager from China
Should the Patriot Act be reformed?
Three provisions of the Patriot Act, including one that gives the FBI more leeway to search computer and bank records, are set to expire at the end of this year. It's a new administration, but the act remains just as controversial, with civil libertarians on one side and law enforcement advocates on the other. How will the law change under the Obama Administration?
Guests:
Michael Macleod-Ball, Acting Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office
David Rivkin Jr., Attorney and partner with the law firm of Baker and Hostetler
Disorders of sex development
When track athlete Caster Semenya won the women's 800m at the World Championships last month, questions about her gender overshadowed her victory. While test results of her condition have not been released, the event brings greater attention to disorders of sex development (DSDs). In these cases, individuals may have reproductive anatomy or a chromosomal pattern that does not fit the typical definition of a male or female. Larry talks with experts about the biology behind disorders of sex development, their implications, and the support options available for families of children with DSDs.
Guests:
Arlene Baratz, M.D., physician and mother of a child with androgen insensitivity syndrome. She is a family and medical advisor for the Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group, Accord Alliance , and Advocates for Informed Choice
Jane Goto, intersex advocate and educator