Local congresswoman on why she's not attending the inauguration, Mel Brooks on his signature films, how tech is being used in efforts for greater transparency.
CA reps divided over whether to attend Trump inauguration
At last count, nearly 60 Democratic lawmakers from across the country say they plan on skipping Donald Trump's swearing in ceremonies.
California has the most Congressional representatives, so it should come as no surprise that the state leads the list of no-shows.
Among them, Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents the 27th district.
But the decision isn't an organized one. Her colleague, Congressman Brad Sherman of the 30th district will be attending.
To hear their reasoning, Take Two spoke to both.
Representative Judy Chu
Donald Trump becomes president of the United States at 9:01 AM our time Friday. Most of your colleagues in the House will be there. You will not. Why not?
Congresswoman Chu: I was mulling it over. I felt very conflicted because of my feelings about Trump's policies.
However, on Saturday morning when he decided to disparage our civil rights icon, the person who ensured that the Voting Rights Act would be implemented, my friend and colleague John Lewis... I cannot believe that he would disparage him on Martin Luther King weekend and that he would also do something so offensive only days before his inauguration.
This is the time he should be unifying the country, but instead, he's actually disparaging one of our actual American heroes.
So it's fair to say that this was the straw that broke the camel's back for you?
Oh, absolutely, yes.
Before that, what was your reason for going?
I respect the office of the presidency, and I also believe in the peaceful transition of power. That's what makes America strong. I would have done it just for that sake. However, Trump has shown himself not to be respecting the office of the presidency, and that's what led to my decision that day.
Representative Brad Sherman
You just heard your colleague, Representative Chu. She's not going. You are. Why?
Well, we have a legal process for the transfer of power and it's easy to respect that process when it gives us a good result. But the real test is whether you respect it when it gives you the wrong answer as in this case.
I think the right legal process here is to use our legal process to have an independent council look into whether or not the Trump campaign was coordinating in any way with the Russians. That's the legal process.
Boycotts of presidential inaugurations are not new. John Adams boycotted Thomas Jefferson's inauguration. We've seen this take place in the past. But in the vast majority of cases, we respect and go along with and participate in the process, and that's what I'll be doing without much joy.
So is Representative Chu and the others who are not going not respecting the process?
They're making a decision based on some of the horrendous things that Donald Trump has said. I respect that decision just as I've never criticized John Adams for not attending Thomas Jefferson's inauguration.
Based on everything you've said so far, it sounds like you're going to be there, but maybe with a heavy heart or not entirely happy to be there —
Oh, I'm not going there to be happy, no. I mean, if somebody else could be the congressman for a day, I'd be happier if they took my seat, but I do have this role, and I think that it's right for me to play it.
Press the blue play button above to hear both interviews.
(Answers have been edited for clarity.)
K2 Sports: potential Lakers shake-up, Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Following another loss for the Lakers, questions remain if the team's president, Jeanie Buss will replace her brother, Jim Buss as Vice President of Basketball Operations, 2017 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, and new coaches for both the Chargers and the Rams.
Andy and Brian Kamenetzky join A Martinez for Take Two's weekly installment of K2 Sports.
To listen, click on the Blue Media Player above.
Carl's Jr. workers raise concerns about Andrew Puzder
Many of President-elect Donald Trump's choices for cabinet secretaries have been controversial, including his pick for Labor Secretary— Andrew Puzder, the CEO of Hardee's and Carl's Jr. restaurants.
Carl's has a long history in California. The fast-food company started as a hot dog stand in L.A. in 1941 and is headquartered here.
But Puzder has been an outspoken critic of California's labor laws for years.
Now some Carl's Jr. employees are voicing their concerns about Mr. Puzder's ability to represent and protect them as Labor Secretary.
New York Times reporter and author Jodi Kantor has been reporting on Mr. Puzder. She joined Take Two to discuss his background and the criticisms against him.
To listen to the full interview, click on the blue media player above.
Mel Brooks and the real story of his film, Young Frankenstein
Legendary comedian/actor/director Mel Brooks is one of the world's best known creators of comedy. His credits include such films as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie and High Anxiety.
But his favorite, of all the films he has ever done, is the 1974 classic, Young Frankenstein.
That film starred Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, and Madeleine Kahn. And recently he co-wrote a book, with Vanity Fair's
, that told the behind the scenes story of the film, Young Frankenstein: A Mel Brooks Book: The Story of the Making of the Film.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61hcF3OShEL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
This week, Brooks will be appearing at the Microsoft Theater in downtown LA, offering an exclusive look at his storied career, and the making of the film, so Alex Cohen traveled to his Culver City office to talk to him.
Los Angeles Police Commission releases app for citizen complaints
Over the past few years, the country has had to take a hard look at how law enforcement interacts with the community. And technology has played a key role in this process. From civilian recorded videos posted on social media to the adoption of body cams for officers.
Now, the Los Angeles Police Commisssion has unveiled something new, a smartphone app.
Matt Johnson, president of the Los Angeles Police Commission joins A Martinez to talk about the app, the importance of transparency in the police department and whether this is the right vehicle for complaints to be addressed.
How the Lily Drone became a cautionary tale for crowdfunding
Back in the spring of 2015, a video announcing a cheery looking drone camera had people in awe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMfTHHLbj5g
Just throw it up in the air, and the Lily camera would fly behind you - recording video and stills you as you skiied down a slope, rafted down a river, or just ran around, aimlessly. All for a starting price of $499.
Too good to be true?
Unfortunately, it was.
After lots of press and $34 million dollars in pre-orders... last week the company announced it was shutting down. The following day, The San Francisco District Attorney's office filed a lawsuit against Lily Robotics, alleging they faked and misled consumers with their promotional videos
For more on the company, their drone, and the case against them, Libby Denkmann spoke with CNET's Ashley Esqueda.
To hear the full segment, click the blue play button above.
Record US deportations help fuel call center industry in El Salvador
You get deported to a country that's foreign to you. All you're armed with is that you can speak English and the desperation to make a living and survive.
For over 20,000 people in El Salvador their best option - get a job at a call center.
Record U.S. deportations over the past few years have helped fuel and build a thriving industry in that Central American nation.
Jonathan Blitzer, who wrote about this in The New Yorker, spoke to A Martinez for more.
To hear the full segment, click the blue play button above.
The Styled Side: Eye-catching inaugural fashions
There's two more days to go before President-elect Trump becomes President Trump.
But just as important as the stances he'll take in office is the look he'll have at his inauguration.
"It really sets the tone for the incoming administration and what it conveys to Americans and the rest of the world," says Michelle Dalton Tyree of Fashion Trends Daily. "It's calculated, incredibly symbolic and has always been watched very closely – especially for what the first lady will be wearing."
Several past first ladies chose white to symbolize a fresh start with a new administration, including Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan and Michelle Obama.
Some pick designers that reflect their home states. In 1993, then-first lady Hillary Clinton chose to harken to the couples roots by choosing Sarah Phillips, a little-known designer from Little Rock, Arkansas.
"But the award for most symbolism goes to Rosalynn Carter's dress," says Tyree. "The country was in the midst of an oil crisis and people were on edge about the economy, so she shopped her own closet and pulled out the dress she had worn before to her husband's inauguration as Georgia's Governor as a show of solidarity."
Tyree says Ralph Lauren is reportedly designing an outfit for Melania Trump on Inauguration Day, despite being a very vocal Hillary Clinton supporter throughout the campaign.
Karl Lagerfeld will dress Mrs. Trump as well, but there are a number of designers who say they won't, including Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford.
“I think whomever is president or the first lady should be wearing clothes at a price point that is accessible to most Americans and wearing clothes that are made in America,” Ford told the L.A. Times. “My clothes are made in Italy and are very expensive and I don’t think most women wear them in our country. The first lady or the president should represent all people."
Meanwhile, Tyree expects Trump to hold fast to his standard attire of custom-made suits from Italian label Brioni.
"He's taken flak for them, not for the look but because they suits are not from his own line and also because he's touted 'Made in America' products in the past," says Tyree.
It's unusual, though, that unlike past years, many designers aren't champing at the bit to outfit a presidential couple for the inauguration.
"Typically, getting a gig like dressing a first lady can catapult your brand," says Tyree. "Michelle Obama did this for several young upstart designers such as Jason Wu."
So the biggest symbol to watch for in the ceremony might be the fashion world stars who aren't taking part in the proceedings.
"People like Ralph Lauren and Karl Lagerfeld are established, so they can afford to do that," says Tyree, "but dressing Melania is potentially fraught with a lot of problems right now, particularly for newer designers, if people think that means you ascribe to her husband's politics. And the fashion world is famously liberal."
American Apparel Part II: Weighing in on what happens now
Yesterday on the program, we spoke with Dov Charney, founder and former CEO of LA-based American Apparel.
The clothing company built its brand on a message of American manufacturing and fair wages. After years of problems, it began laying off workers on Monday as it prepares to shut down operations.
The board of American Apparel removed Charney in 2014, after a series of sexual harrassment allegations, compounded by charges of fiscal irresponsibility.
He negotiated a return, only to be removed again.
During the first part of the interview, where Libby Denkmann asked Charney about the sexual harassment allegations. Here's what he had to say:
CHARNEY: There hasn't been any sexual harassment allegations since January of 2011. So 2012 went by, I was rehired. The company disclosed in [2010 to 2014] that the sexual harassment lawsuits were frivolous and were baseless. And this was all signed by the board members that purported to oust me.
In response to the interview, American Apparel sent us this statement.
The Company incurred millions defending and settling dozens of lawsuits from many different employees and models against Mr. Charney on allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault and racial discrimination; the Company was still arbitrating and settling these claims for months after Mr. Charney was terminated for cause in December 2014.
Denkmann also spoke to Charney yesterday about the board’s claims with company debt incurred under Charney’s direction. He responded:
CHARNEY: The company was performing. It was turned around. There was no indication that we couldn't afford the debt that we had. In fact, we were able to raise $30 million 40 days prior to my ousting by way of a security sale. . . .This was a huge success. There was no issue relating to the debt. That's fiction.
American Apparel also issues this statement on the subject of debt and the company:
The Company has not turned a profit since 2009, five years before Mr. Charney’s termination for cause. The company incurred millions in litigation costs associated with the sexual assault and harassment charges against Mr. Charney – coupled with a severe debt burden of $250 million directly stemming from Mr Charney's agreements with creditors – which led to the Company’s first bankruptcy filing in 2015, very shortly after his termination.
Now Charney says he has a new brand of clothing in the works and hopes to rebuild what was lost with American Apparel. In the second part of his interview, he talks about his new company and possibly recruiting American Apparel's laid-off workers. Denkmann also weighed in with CNBC special correspondent, Jane Wells, who's been following the story.
Here are some interview highlights:
From the second part of our conversation with Dov Charney
Tell us about what you're planning next?
CHARNEY: What I'm planning to do, is to continue and create a new company. But it will really be the old company. I'm gonna carry on the spirit of what was. I'm setting up camp in a very large facility in South Central. I don't want to disclose exactly where yet. The inspiration will be Los Angeles. Can we afford $15 [an hour]? Absolutely we can.
There's a website called thatslosangeles.net where I started posting photographs of the inspiration. The authenticity of the city. We believe in manufacturing in the city, not [outside of the city core].
How many people have you hired from American Apparel? How many people do you plan to hire?
CHARNEY: I've already hired 75 people. Some of them were hired on a part-time basis. And I plan to hire thousands. . .I need to fight my way back in. . . with my [team] and re-establish what was but bring it to another level.
From our conversation with CNBC Special Correspondent Jane Wells, who's been following the story:
What do you think led to the downfall of American Apparel?
JANE WELLS: [Dov Charney] was part of the problem with his lifestyle and his, still, refusal to accept that he did anything wrong in terms of his relationships with subordinates at his own company. But the other problem is that the company moved forward and grew by taking on more and more debt. Yes, he talked about things that were cash flow positive or gross profits, but that doesn't mean profitable. The company was drowning in debt and I don't know if there was any way that he could have turned that around while still paying a living wage and producing clothing in Los Angeles.
Would American Apparel have survived if Charney had stayed?
WELLS: I'm not a business or economic expert, but I think the problem is, they kicked him out. They are the bad guys. They took the company to bankruptcy not once, but twice. They sold off the assets. . . If he had stayed. . . I think the company still would have gone under, but then it would have been on him, and not on them.
Charney is trying to build a new brand that will be made in L.A. What do you think the prospects are for him moving forward? Will he be able to hire employees from American Apparel and will he be able to hire more people?
WELLS: I think he'll be able to hire people. When I interviewed him in 2012, there are clearly people there who adore him and are so grateful for the opportunity to be able to do this sort of work for a livable wage. It's a very noble, wonderful thing if you can make it happen. Listening to the StartUp podcast from this season, which follows him as he tries to launch this second business, there's a sense of a cult-like following, in essence, with some people.
To listen to the second part of our interview with Dov Charney and our discussion with Jane Wells, click the blue player above.
*Note: The interviews above have been edited for clarity.