Where to turn when you've been a victim of online harassment, a chat with NPR's new vice president of news, Michael Oreskes, and the basics of buying a car.
What legal options are there if you're harassed online?
Actress Ashley Judd says she's pressing charges against her online harassers.
After tweeting about March Madness and her team the University of Kentucky, Judd got hit with a barrage of hateful and aggressive messages. Most of which are too ugly to repost here.
But she shot back on Twitter:
When when I express a stout opinion during
I am called a whore, c---, threatened with sexual violence. Not okay.
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd)
When when I express a stout opinion during #MarchMadness I am called a whore, c---, threatened with sexual violence. Not okay.
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) March 15, 2015
She also told MSNBC that she plans to press charges against her harassers.
Mary Anne Franks, professor of law at the University of Miami, explains what the legal options are when you're threatened online.
Public shaming and the role of the media
These days when someone says something sexist, or racist or otherwise awful, there's a tendency to call them out - to shame them.
The media plays a big role in that shaming. But is that a good thing? It's a topic Kelly McBride has been mulling over.
McBride is the vice president for Academic Programs at the Poynter Institute and recently ran their ethics department, and she gives her perspective.
Michael Oreskes talks new role as NPR's VP of News
NPR announced Thursday that it has named a new senior vice president of news and editorial director.
Michael Oreskes had been serving as the senior managing editor of the Associated Press. He talks with Take Two's Alex Cohen about his move to radio.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS:
On what about the position appealed to him:
"It's different, and of course that itself is appealing, but it's also a world in which whatever platform you start from, whether you start in newspapers, or you start in radio, or you start on television, we're all heading to the same place and it's all about the same challenge, which is to create and protect great journalism in an age when it's really hard to hold people's attention. I think one of the gifts of public radio is its incredibly loyal and incredibly strong following, and one of its great talents is an extraordinary ability to tell great stories. And if we can marshal that, and combine it with really brilliant reporting and just fantastic journalism, I think there's a great opportunity to grow and continue to expand the footprint of public radio journalism around the country. And that -- I think -- is a really important mission, not only for all of us as journalists, but for society."
On improving diversity at NPR:
"This is a huge challenge, and it isn't just NPR's challenge. This is a challenge the entire news industry -- newspapers, radio, television broadcasts -- all of us are facing this problem. We simply have not been able to find the people of color that we ought to have to represent the communities that we cover. And that's a real problem, and it's been a problem for some time now, and I'm sad to say it's gotten worse. The recession did a lot of damage to a lot of newsrooms and unfortunately we lost more people of color than we lost total numbers. I served a couple of years ago with Milton Coleman who was the deputy managing editor of the Washington Post on a commission that looked at this issue of diversity, and it was quite sobering and upsetting because we really are going in the wrong direction. So yes, NPR has a challenge, and so does the whole news industry. I think we have to look at this all together, and we have to look at some creative approaches because the old approaches simply aren't working."
On NPR being more than just radio:
"We're in a world now where whatever platform you start on, whether you start on-air with the spoken word, or whether you start with print with the written word, or whether you start on television with the visual presentation, you end up having to present yourself across all of these platforms. It doesn't mean you give up your core. NPR will always, at heart, be about the spoken word. That's the core talent of NPR, that's the core skill of public radio."
The Wheel Thing: Stuff everyone should know about buying, owning and selling a car
It's a big ticket item. Beyond buying a home, the purchase of an automobile is often the biggest financial transaction any of us will ever make.
But, face it, we are often boneheads about it. We're seduced by a sexy vehicle we can't really afford, manipulated by skillful salespeople, and less than diligent about understanding some of the hidden costs of ownership.
Here's a very quick primer that's designed to increase your automotive financial literacy.
Buy only as much car as you can afford
Determine how much you can comfortably afford to spend. If you are taking out a loan, remember that your monthly car payment is only part of the price. You need to figure in the cost of insurance, gasoline, repair and maintenance. Tell yourself that you'll truly enjoy the peace and freedom of driving a car you can actually pay for.
Be wary of long term loans
There is a trend toward five, six and even seven year loans for cars. Taking out a longer loan will lower your monthly payment (though not as much as you think.) It will also guarantee that you will pay much more overall, and your car will be worth much less when you send in that last payment. Try to stick to a traditional 36-month loan, or at the very least, a 48-month note.
Consider buying used
If the car you want is beyond your budget, find alternatives, or consider buying a late model used car. During the recession, prices for used cars went up, but they are on the wane now, and many dealers have big inventories of lease-return cars, so you can often get a very good deal. For reference, Consumer Reports maintains a list of the best used cars.
Keep it nice
Once you've driven your car off the lot, treat it with love and care. Make sure it gets all its scheduled maintenance, and that you keep all the records.
Sell Smart
When the years and the miles pile up, and it's time for a new car, you'll need to decide if you want to trade in your old vehicle, or sell it as a private party. You'll get more money if you choose the latter option, but you'll also have to do more work. There's no sense in fixing up your car if you are handing it over to a dealer, but if you want to sell it yourself, spiff it up as much as possible. Make sure you have all those records to share with potential buyers. Have the title, smog certificate if required, and a release of liability form, so you can seal the deal on the spot.
Then it's time to start the cycle over again, and test your automotive financial literacy.
Susan Carpenter is auto and motorcycle critic for the OC Register. She joins Take Two on Thursdays for The Wheel Thing.
State of Affairs: Drought, immigration, and affordable housing
On this week's State of Affairs, drought relief, immigration reform, affordable housing and special elections.
San Francisco Chronicle senior political writer Carla Marinucci and Capital Public Radio's state government reporter Katie Orr join Take Two.