Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
A political defeat that many equate to an earthquake, the Donald Sterling soap opera continues and George H.W. Bush celebrates his birthday in style are the topics we're tackling today in the Friday Flashback with James Rainey of the LA Times and Elahe Izadi of National Journal.
We start with the political story which has dominated the headlines: the surprise defeat of Republican Eric Cantor in Virginia's primary this week. Now California's own Kevin McCarthy waits eagerly in the wings to replace Cantor as House Majority leader. How big of a role do you think immigration played in his defeat?
The media was swift to pounce on this as a big defeat for immigration reform, but reform advocates are saying not so fast.
Many of those looking at reform look at this week as confirmation that Congress isn't going to be able to achieve anything on immigration. They are calling on President Obama to take charge here.
This week, a California judge ruled to toss out teacher tenure and other protections. Earlier this week, we talked about how this lawsuit came about because of a wealthy tech entrepreneur named David Welch. He is certainly not the first rich guy to step in and try to reshape education. The schools in this country really need help, but is this the best way to go about it?
One of the biggest movers and shakers in modern education, Michelle Rhee, got her start there in DC. What do you make of this notion of a few wealthy individuals trying to shake up the system?
The Donald Sterling/LA Clipper saga just never ends. What't the latest?
There's another sports controversy that also seems endless: The attempt to get Washington, D.C.'s football team to ditch the name Redskins. Now this story has become political. What's the latest?
What are the chances that the team will change its name?
Two years ago, George Bush Sr. promised when he turned 90 years old, he'd take a plunge. And he did: The 41st president celebrated by going skydiving yesterday. Thoughts on how this might affect his legacy?