Soon, Blockbuster stores like this one will be harder to find. Dish network announced that they are closing 300 Blockbuster stores. Is digital streaming replacing DVDs? Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Last week, Dish Network Corp., the parent company of Blockbuster - the once dominant force in the home movie business - announced that it will be closing 300 brick and mortar Blockbuster stores this year and eliminate 3,000 jobs. Blockbuster’s decline is undoubtedly related to the growing popularity of digital entertainment providers such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu. Why trek to the video store when you can just stream a movie instantly on your computer? But does the ubiquity of these streaming services mean physical copies of movies on DVD and blu-ray disc will go the way of the vinyl record?

Even Coinstar, the parent company behind the RedBox DVD vending machines, is jumping into the digital streaming game by partnering with Verizon to offer ‘Redbox Instant by Verizon.’ Redbox’s new streaming video service is currently undergoing consumer testing, but Coinstar and Verizon expect RedBox Instant to be available to the public by the end of March.

Are DVDs and blu-ray discs already obsolete? What will the future of digital home entertainment look like? Will blu-ray discs live on as a niche high-end product for videophiles?

Guests:
Ryan Lawler, digital media reporter for TechCrunch

Amy Jo Smith, Executive Director, DEG: Digital Entertainment Group, a nonprofit corporation that advocates and promotes physical and digital media and helps provide information and perspective about the home entertainment industry

Do you work remotely when you're home sick from your job? Credit: William Brawley/Flickr Creative Commons

In the pre-digital days it was okay to just stay home, eat chicken soup, curl up in bed and watch Andy Griffith reruns.  Nobody expected you to do anything. But nowadays with our digital interconnection, we feel compelled to keep up with email, participate in conference calls, and work remotely.  

Pretty soon that sick day slips by and you realize you've done pretty much a full day's work. The California Work and Family Coalition reported in 2011 that 40% of California workers cannot take a sick day when they or someone in their family is ill because they cannot lose a day’s pay. In 2012 the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics discovered that 77% percent of private industry workers received paid sick leave, especially among management, professional, and high-wage positions.

But do these positions require employees to keep up with work at home? Is there something more than wages at stake? No matter the position, are workers not taking time to rest? What’s your company policy? Do you only claim a half-day? How do you handle your sick days?

Guest:
David Couper, Career Coach and Consultant on Human Resources, author of "Outsiders on the Inside: How to Create a Winning Career...Even When You Don't Fit In!" (Career Press, 2010)

Egyptian protesters shout slogans in Cairo's landmark Tahrir square on November 30, 2012, as they protest against a decree by President Mohamed Morsi granting himself broad powers that shield his decisions from judicial review. Credit: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images

Clashes between protesters and riot police in cities along the Suez Canal have turned deadly in recent days, as groups opposed to President Mohamed Morsi defy protests and demand his ouster. Military leaders have warned the nation could be near collapse, and high-profile leaders are calling for a political reconciliation.

Morsi has dismissed the violence as a referendum on him, telling reporters, “What is happening now in Egypt is natural in nations experiencing a shift to democracy,” but as the bodies pile up and the calls for his ouster grow louder, we wonder what could be done to shift the course in Egypt? What would happen if violent uprisings grow out of control of the military? Is this a new dawn for Egypt, or the beginning of another nightmare?

Guests:
Sherine Tadros, Al Jazeera English correspondent in Cairo

Heba Morayef, Egypt Director, Human Rights Watch

Over a period of six orbits on on February 3, 2012, the recently launched Suomi NPP satellite provided the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument enough time to gather the pixels for this synthesized view of Earth showing North Africa and southwestern Europe. Credit: NASA

The common perception is that as time marches on, the human population will continue to rise. Advances in technology and health will lead to longer lives, and thus the Earth will be burdened by billions upon billions of hungry mouths to feed, both young and old. And not just food, but oil, land, water and other resources will be gobbled up until there isn’t enough to go around.

But recently, some studies have found that birth rates seem to be leveling off across the globe. This has long been the case in developed countries, but now it looks like developing countries are slowing down as well. Typically, it was these nations which kept the total reproductive rate for the human race at a satisfactory point to replenish the numbers every generation. It looks like by the end of this century, that may no longer be the case.

While differing accounts show population shrinkage or just a plateau, many demographers are convinced that the population boom, which has been going on since humanity began, is finally over. Not everyone agrees with this assessment, however, and stress that the damage has already been done. We have grown so much that no amount of dwindling could counteract the impact we’ve already made on our planet.

So what does this mean for humanity? Are we headed out? Or are we going to continue to explode in numbers? Which science fiction future are you more looking forward to?

Guests:
Warren Sanderson, Professor of Economics, Stony Brook University and researcher with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

Phil Cafaro, Professor of Philosophy at Colorado State University, works with CSU’s College of Global Environmental Sustainability

Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers gets a laugh from Field Judge Jim Quirk during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 29, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. Credit: Ralph Freso/Getty Images

You’re born, and your life is great. Then, you get a little brother or sister and everything changes. Suddenly, time with the family is ripped between the two siblings. Toys must be shared. The television must be split between two pairs of eyeballs. Then you grow up and go to school. You have to live in your older brother’s shadow, or worry about your younger counterpart tattling on you for doing something out of line. Everyone goes through the traditional sibling rivalry, and by the time you become an adult and start pursuing your own life, the conflict typically falls by the wayside.

But not for John and Jim Harbaugh. Who cares about some adult brothers who are still going at it? Well, John and Jim are the coaches of the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, respectively. And it just so happens that those two teams are competing in this year’s Super Bowl. Winning this ultimate game would be the absolute pinnacle for any former athlete and professional coach. One of the brothers will win, and the other will lose, thus fueling an already likely sibling rivalry that will continue to go forward.

Fortunately, most siblings don’t have to play out their competition on national TV. But that doesn’t mean the conflict isn’t there. Have you ever been in a situation like this? Did you square off against your sibling in a business setting? Did you go into similar career fields and compete for the same jobs? What about academically? And twins face even more pressure. Have you and your sibling felt it? Call in and let us know. (And tell them to call in, too!)

Dr. Jeanne Safer, Ph.D., psychotherapist and author of  “Cain’s Legacy: Liberating Siblings from a Lifetime of Rage, Shame, Secrecy and Regret” (Basic Books, 2012) and “The Normal One: Life with a Difficult or Damaged Sibling” (Delta, 2003)

Lawrence Wright's book "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & the Prison of Belief" is so controversial it won't be published in the UK and Canada.

Hollywood denizens know best that Scientology is at once celebrity-laden and secretive. Author Lawrence Wright tries to unfurl both in his controversial new book - so controversial it won't be published in the UK or Canada. This despite the fact Wright's unauthorized history of the church used  prominent former church members, including Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis, as primary sources on the record. Wright cites reams of research in detailing the life of Scientology founder, L.Ron Hubbard, as well as 200 interviews with those close to the Church of Scientology who reveal unflattering, even frightening, accounts of the control the church wields over its members.

In response, Scientology officials state, "The book is an error-filled, unsubstantiated, bigoted anti-Scientology book." They refer to Wright's atheism and call him bigoted. Yet Wright isn't alone in this assessment.

So why did he pursue this subject? How does his research into Scientology compare to other religions Wright has focused on? What's his reaction to the accusations from Scientology representatives? And why does so much of this story come back to Hollywood?

Guest:
Lawrence Wright, Author, “Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & the Prison of Belief;” Staff Writer, “The New York;” Wright won a Pulitzer Prize for “The Looming Tower”

The Church of Scientology's response to Wright's book:

Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, pauses while speaking during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill January 30, 2013 in Washington, DC. The committee held the hearings to discuss possible solutions to gun violence in the United States. Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Are the emotional arguments in the gun control debate effective? In the wake of the Newtown school shooting, the U.S. push for gun safety reform has sparked passionate, emotional arguments from both sides of the debate. Testimony from grieving parents and frightened children has been cited in political discourse. President Obama read from the letters of schoolchildren in his speech about upcoming gun control legislation. Gun advocates have also approached the issue emotionally, with remembrances of heroic moments and elaborate stories about what could have happened differently if there were more armed “good guys.”

Perhaps the most stirring voice is that of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head during a political rally in Arizona in 2011. Yesterday, Giffords’ Senate testimony called for immediate gun reform, and packed a heavy emotional punch. Are the impassioned pleas an effective part of the gun control debate? Politicians on both sides continue to discuss legislation, economics, and constitutional rights, but the slow-going nature of policy reform leaves plenty of room for interim theatrics. Sentimental arguments for and against gun control have been thrust into the limelight.

Are you persuaded by emotional arguments for or against gun control? Is sentiment an effective part of policy, or should the focus be on logic? Do personal stories sensationalize the issue, or are they crucial to understanding it?

Guest:
Tom Hollihan, Professor of Communication, University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism. Hollihan publishes in the areas of argumentation, political campaign communication, contemporary rhetorical criticism, and the impact of globalization on public deliberation. He is the author of several books including “Uncivil Wars: Political Campaigns in a Media Age, Arguments and Arguing: The Products and Process of Human Decision Making” (with Kevin Baaske)

Nancy Snow, Professor of Communications, California State University, Fullerton; adjunct professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She is known for her work in the area of propaganda and public diplomacy studies. Snow is the author or editor of seven books, including “Persuader-in-Chief: Global Opinion and Public Diplomacy in the Age of Obama.” “American Propaganda” (LSU Press)

Linebacker Manti Te'o of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish works out at IMG Academy on January 23, 2013 in Bradenton, Florida. Credit: J. Meric/Getty Images

After many twists and turns, it looks like the Manti Te’o story is starting to become clear.

First, he had a long-distance girlfriend who passed away after the death of his grandmother. Then, he comes out and says she wasn’t real, at which other people are labeled as perpetuating a hoax against the football player. Now, the man who was behind it all is speaking out to provide his side of the story. In an interview with Dr. Phil, Ronaiah Tuiasosopo admitted to masterminding the plan because he was in love with Te’o. In an effort to get close to him, Tuiasosopo went so far as to create an online profile, establish a back story, and even use a woman’s voice on the phone when talking to Te’o, which he did quite regularly. Now that everyone knows the what, people are asking, “Why?”

What are the psychological aspects of this story? Why would someone create a fake profile and pretend to be someone else? How did Te’o fall for it, or sustain it? And what’s next? Some are saying that Te’o has legitimate grounds to sue Tuiasosopo for online fraud. Could he have a case? If it went to court, how would a jury view Te’o’s plight?

Guest:
Michael McCann, director of the Sports & Entertainment Law Institute at University of New Hampshire and legal analyst for the Sports Law blog

Dr. Clark Smith, MD, psychiatrist in San Diego specializing in addiction

Filmmaker Dror Moreh, director of "The Gatekeepers" Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Israeli filmmaker Dror Moreh set out with an immodest proposal. He wanted on-camera interviews with all the former chiefs of Israel's secret service unit, Shin Bet, about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Somehow he pulled it off and secured lengthy, candid interviews with each of the six chiefs still alive. As Moreh explains, these were "the people with the power to shape history from behind the scenes. Living in the shadows, they have never spoken about their work in front of a camera before." Their perspective might surprise you.

How did Moreh make it happen? How does he compare a history told by Shin Bet to a history told by political leaders and civilians on either side of the conflict? How has the documentary been received in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories?

Guest:
Dror Moreh, Director, “The Gatekeepers,” Previously directed “Sharon” – a feature-length documentary about Ariel Sharon; Moreh has also worked as a Director of Photography and Cinematographer

Tomorrow, the film opens at the Hollywood ArcLight and The Landmark theater. It will have wider release on February 22. Click here for more showtimes.

Racers compete in the first round of Snowmobile Snocross at Winter X Games Aspen 2013 at Buttermilk Mountain on January 27, 2013 in Aspen, Colorado. Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Last Thursday, at the Winter XGames in Grand Junction, Colorado, 25-year-old snowmobiler Caleb Moore failed to land a backflip on his snowmobile resulting in a gruesome crash which led ultimately to his death, which was announced by his family today. It’s natural for athletes to compete at the highest levels possible, and in the extreme sports community a sense of one-ups-manship drives competitors to push the envelope of what is considered “make-able,” but how far is too far?

Do we now find extreme sports on a big enough stage that it’s time to create commission to determine safety standards? Is it time to create laws in a community that’s always prided itself on not playing by rules?

Guest:
Lance Pugmire, sports reporter for the Los Angeles Times who wrote about Moore’s crash in Wednesday’s Times

Actress Naomi Watts poses with actor Tom Holland, her son in "The Impossible" Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

She says she “never gets recognized” on the street, but chances are if you’ve seen "Mulholland Drive," "King Kong," "The Ring" or "21 Grams," you can’t forget Naomi Watts.  According to the British-born Watts, she’d rather “schlub around” at Sundance than spend time picking out a dress for the Oscars, but she’ll be walking the red carpet this year – Watts earned her second Academy Award nomination for her role in the Spanish film "The Impossible." In the film, based on the true story of a family’s fight to survive the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Watts battles the elements with her young son as she tries to reunite with her husband and children.

Watts can also be seen in "Movie 43," currently in theaters, and later this year stars as Princess Diana in the biopic "Diana" – a role she calls “high, high, high risk.” Watts talks with Larry about the physical and emotional demands of filming "The Impossible," the challenges she faced portraying a real-life survivor of a tsunami and the close relationship she forged with Tom Holland, the young actor who plays her son.

Guest:
Naomi Watts, Oscar-nominated actress, "The Impossible"

Brice Harris responds to a question during a news conference where he was announced as the new chancellor of the California Community Colleges system, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, in Sacramento, Calif. Harris, who has spent nearly 16 years as chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District, replaces Jack Scott, who retired this month after more than three and a half years in the position. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Rising tuitions, student unrest, "distanced" learning, the challenges of for-profit colleges and trimmed budgets — what do all of these factors mean for the future of higher education?

Our distinguished panel of higher-educational leaders representing the diversity of California's public higher education institutions — President Mark G. Yudof of the University of California system, Chancellor Timothy Peter White of the California State Universities and Colleges, and Chancellor Brice W. Harris of the California Community Colleges — weigh in one the biggest and most pressing issues facing California's higher-learning systems.

They address the growing concerns from all sides, from qualified students getting declined admission to educators wondering about budget cuts and salaries.

"We do a better job of educating low-income students than just about anyone out there," said Yudof. "But its a big problem particularly for the middle class. So we're trying to modulate it, we're going to try and keep the tuition down, we're going to have to reengineer how we deliver some of our educational services."

The president and chancellors tell us if California public schools are still able to compete with private universities. Private universities are able to pay higher salaries to their professors, so does this lower the caliber of education among the UCs and Cal States? Also, where are the funds in public higher education going? Is it being wasted on tenured educators and pay raises?

"We have 60 Nobel laureates, I prefer they not leave our campuses," said Yudof. "Yes the salaries have gone up, yes we need to be competitive, but we're really not competitive on salaries with the Ivy League and other places like that."

This week, the University of Wisconsin released the first competency-based online degree program. Our speakers discuss their learning philosophies and question if graduates need to master a broad range of subjects or if competency is sufficient. If so, perhaps online degrees would be a sustainable model that California should consider exploring.

"Today we're doing about 13,000 classes online and we have 84 undergraduate and Master's programs either wholly or partially online," said White. "The other part of it all I would say that the financial model as it is today is not sustainable, but the public good of having an educated society is also something that California can ill afford not to have."

As for veterans returning to college, Chancellors Harris and White talk about what is implemented at community colleges and Cal States to care for the men and women who have served this country.

"The number of colleges in our 112-college system that now have active veteran centers has doubled because we're seeing dramatically increasing numbers of veterans on our campuses," said Harris. "They do have some unique needs…The board of governors has awarded enrollment prioritization to our veterans so they have a little bit easier time getting classes."

In particular, White says veterans have unique needs related to PTSD and other injuries sustained during their active combat days. 

"These men and women have served us and its time for use to serve them," said White. "These percussive injuries are causing so many cognitive changes and there's a pride in not wanting to admit that. Sometimes they might not be able to learn as quickly, but they can learn as much."

Although counseling and other programs are set up for them, how can they receive adequate attention when the counselor to student ratio averages one to 2,000?

"We can do some things to technology to automate our students accessing their records so that counselors so that counselors can spend more time counseling," said Harris. "At the end of the day these institutions are financially challenged, and we're finally seeing a bit of a floor with Prop 30  and a little more funding and we think the days are going to get better in the next few years, but we have a long way to go."

To conclude this discussion, Larry asks each of them a final question: If you could change anything about the current system, what would it be?

Yudof: "I'd take 30, 40, 50,000 more students, because I think we should be growing much more than we are to serve a growing population in California, majority Hispanic kids in the schools. I think we've done a pretty good job of deploying tenured and tenured track faculty, but we have a few campuses where our achievement lever is not that high. I'd like to see the regular faculty routinely teaching undergraduates. I'd like to see more research, because it brings money into the state and people discover things that are important to Californians."

White: "We have a 12-percent increase in applications, some 760,000 applications for last year, we'll admit 100,00 of them and I would try to grow our capacity. I would decrease the gaps between our students graduation rates."

Harris: "I would restore access to this system so we're not shutting the door in the face of students and at the same time help them succeed in far greater numbers. Student success and access. I would make certain that somebody works at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade level in elementary school to make every child in California at least believe that if they want to go to college they can."

Guests:

President Mark G. Yudof, University of California
President Yudof has headed the University of California system since June, 2008. The UC is acknowledged to be the premier public university system in the world with ten campuses, five medical centers, three affiliated national labs, 220,000 students, and 185,000 faculty and staff. Yudof has formerly served as the president of both the Texas and Minnesota state-wide university systems.

Chancellor Timothy Peter White, California State University and Colleges
Chancellor White has just taken the reins of the California State University and College system, a network of 23 campuses, almost 427,000 students, and 44,000 faculty and staff. It is arguably the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country. Chancellor White served as the chancellor of the University of California, Riverside from 2008 through the end of 2012.

Chancellor Brice W. Harris, California Community Colleges
Chancellor Harris was appointed head of the California Community College system in November, 2012. The system includes 112 colleges and 2.6 million students. It is the largest system of higher education in the nation. Chancellor Harris previously served as the chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District serving 85,000 students in Central California.

Sponsored by Community Advocates, Inc.

Screenshot from "Paperman," a Disney short.

Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Henry Sheehan and Charles Solomon to review the week’s new film releases including Bullet to the Head, Girls Against Boys, Warm Bodies and more. Also Peter Rainer from the Christian Science Monitor dishes on the latest news from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. TGI-FilmWeek!

New films reviewed this week:

• Bullet to the Head         
  
• Warm Bodies       
  
• Sound City                                                                                   
  
• Girls Against Boys      
• 2012 live-action Oscar-nominated short films         
• 2012 animated Oscar-nominated short films

Guests:

Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC and Box Office Magazine

Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and dearhenrysheehan.com

Charles Solomon, animation critic for KPCC and author for amazon.com

Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor

"Young Turks" has a one-week run at the Downtown Independent Theatre, starting February 8th. Credit: Young Turks

Downtown LA has had a vibrant arts scene since at least the mid-1970s, but it’s changed a lot in those years. In the late 70s and early 80s, it was the Wild West, with informal shows and events and a close-knit group of artists living rough in old buildings. Now, with museums, galleries and a monthly art walk, it’s very civilized.

Starting Friday, February 8, the Downtown Independent Theatre is screening a documentary called Young Turks, which tells the story of the old arts scene. KPCC’s John Rabe met the filmmakers, Stephen Seemayer and Pamela Wilson, at the epicenter, the former Al’s Bar.

Guests:
John Rabe, host of KPCC's Off-ramp

Stephen Seemayer, director and producer of "Young Turks"

Pamela Wilson, editor and producer of "Young Turks"

Young Turks has a one-week run at the Downtown Independent Theatre, starting Friday, February 8th.

ExpressLanes on the I-10 open on February 23, 2013. Credit: Screenshot via MetroExpressLanes.net

 On February 23rd Metro ExpressLanes opens the HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes on the I-10 freeway. The I-10 will adhere to most of the same confusing rules as the I-110, but will the toll lanes actually relieve congestion or is Metro just trying to make money?

Metro ExpressLanes is primarily funded with a $210 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funds have made two ExpressLanes in each direction by converting the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane and adding a new lane. The condition for the grant is the HOT lanes must allow for speeds over 45 mph at least 90% of the time. Currently, the 110 freeway is meeting that minimum requirement, according to Metro officials.

While carpoolers with at least three people are always able to use the ExpressLanes for free, two-person carpools will have to pay a toll during peak hours on the 10 freeway. Solo drivers in the ExpressLanes will be charged between $0.25 to $1.40 per mile, depending on the congestion at that moment. Single drivers who use the toll lanes less than four times a month may pay an additional $3 monthly for maintenance and revenue costs, but Metro is still analyzing the benefits and consequences of that fee. If the ExpressLanes become overcrowded, tolls will increase to alleviate congestion in those lanes.

Metro estimates generating $18-20 million annually from the toll lanes. After $10 million for operations and maintenance, the balance will be reinvested in transportation improvement.

Are you going to use ExpressLanes? Will it alleviate traffic on these freeways or is it just a money grab? Will it cause more congestion in the general lanes?

A general view of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome after a sudden power outage that lasted 34 minutes in the second half during Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Credit: Harry How/Getty Images

Who knew that football and social media go together like chips and dip at a Super Bowl party? Everyone knows that the Super Bowl scores big viewer ratings for TV networks, but this year the Baltimore Ravens’ victory over the San Francisco 49ers also ignited more posting on Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks than ever before.

During the game, there were an estimated 47.7 million social media posts, according to Trendrr TV, which tracks social media activity. That means the rate of social network bustle during this year’s big game nearly tripled since the 2012 Super Bowl, which was the subject of approximately 17 million posts.

What explains the explosion of social media activity during this year’s Super Bowl? Are Twitter and Facebook simply more accessible to more people now? Or has there been a cultural shift in how society communicates on a daily basis? Has our perspective and appreciation of social media drastically changed since the previous Super Bowl and if so, why?

Guest:

Mark Ghuneim, CEO, Trendrr, a firm that captures and analyzes social media engagement; Trendrr measured Super Bowl second-screen engagement for its client CBS.

Cardinal Roger Mahony leads Christmas mass at The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Eric Thayer/Getty Images

Retired Cardinal Roger Mahony responded to criticisms in a blog post published Friday. Archbishop José H. Gomez stripped Mahony of his administrative and public duties and accepted the resignation of bishop Thomas Curry, who allegedly assisted in the cover-up of church sexual abuse with Mahony. Gomez also agreed to fulfill a court order to deliver thousands of pages of confidential files related to Catholic priest sexual abuse.

Mahoney publicly apologized two weeks ago after the release of confidential church files showed that he had played a part in covering up sexual abuse in the church, and had kept evidence away from prosecution. In a blog post published Friday, Mahony expressed his frustration at being shamed by Gomez and argued that his archdiocese had been at the forefront of abuse victim protection. Gomez’s public rebuke continued Sunday when he addressed the Catholic community from the pulpit and in a letter.

What’s your reaction to Mahony’s explanations? Is it possible Church leadership didn’t know any better how to deal with perpetrators of child sexual abuse? How could someone in such a position of (moral) authority seem to have a moral disconnect?

Guests:
Mary Gail Frawley-O'Dea, a clinical psychologist, was the only mental health professional to address the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on the sexual abuse crisis at their 2002 Dallas meeting. Author, "Perversion of Power: Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church."

Jennifer Hughes, Associate Professor of History at University of California, Riverside, with an expertise in Catholic Studies

Should the recently acquired Whittier preserve be allowed to drill for oil? Credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Last Thursday, the city of Whittier made a bold move regarding a local nature preserve. Whittier purchased the land for this preserve, along with the mineral rights, using $9.3 million in funds opened up to the city by the passage of Proposition A. Proposition A stipulated that any land purchased must be used for conservation purposes, and thus a preserve was established.

However, now the preserve is on the table as a source of revenue, as Whittier and Matrix Oil Company are eyeing it for development and drilling. The arrival of bulldozers prompted outrage in environmentalists, as well as those convinced that this is in direct violation of Proposition A. Los Angeles County is coming down hard on Whittier, saying that the city doesn’t have the authority to decide what happens to the land, since it was purchased with county bonds. However, the city points out that the bond does not take into account mineral rights, which Whittier owns exclusively. Beyond the legal nuances of who owns what, there is also the issue of what parties would benefit from the newfound revenue, which could be upwards of $100 million per year.

The city is obviously pushing for this to beef up its budget, but the county stresses that any financial rewards should go to county taxpayers, not the city itself. So who is right? Will the county win out, or will Whittier be allowed to start drilling and reap the payoff? What is the environmental impact of this plan? What are the pros and cons of each side?

Guests:
Gloria Molina, Los Angeles County Supervisor, 1st District (includes Whittier Hills)

Jim Markman, shareholder in the Public Law Department and Water Rights and Water Law Practice Group at law firm Richards, Watson & Gershon, currently representing the city of Whittier on this issue

Why does your two-year old tell little lies? Credit: Flickr/Lester Public Library

Anyone who spends time with toddlers know they can have active imaginations. Now a study shows some children as young as two are capable of telling minor fibs. Researchers in the journal of Developmental Psychology say it's the first time deception has been studied in children so young. They found 25 percent of children that age say little mistruths. It's not just to cover-up things, according to these experts, but rather to show how smart or capable they are. It could be indicative of advanced mental development. As children grow, so can lying.  Eighty percent of four-year olds are said to lie. However, the percentage decreases through adolescence, according to empirical evidence.

Has that been your experience as a parent? How can you teach honesty when lying is a natural stage of development? How should you react when your tot tells tales?

Guest:
Angela Evans, Ph.D., Developmental Psychologist; Assistant Professor, Brock University in Ontario, Canada; Study Co-Author (along with Kang Lee of University of Toronto) "Emergence of Lying in Very Young Children," published in Developmental Psychology journal; Evans has studied lying in children of all ages.

Looking forward to the 2016 election Credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Looking forward to the next presidential election, some big names have been bandied about. Even before the 2012 race was over, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Jeb Bush and Chris Christie were all mentioned as potential contenders for their respective parties. While Democrats and Republicans are at odds more than ever these days, all their possible candidates have one thing in common. They’re not Barack Obama.

Now, while some may think that’s a positive aspect, there’s one thing that Obama undeniably has over any other candidate in modern history. He energized and inspired the youth vote in a way that significantly contributed to his victory, particularly in 2008. None of the top tier candidates that have been discussed have the same ability to appeal to Millennials.

Hillary Clinton may appeal to young female voters, but what about their male counterparts? Joe Biden may be a hit in The Onion, but what about on the campaign trail? And Republicans have long had a problem connecting to the younger generation, no matter who the candidate is. Are there any younger politicians out there who can tap into this group in the same way that Barack Obama did? Can they also retain the other voting blocs, such as seniors and the middle-aged? Or does it have to be one or the other? Who do you think out there has the most youth appeal?

Guests:
Morley Winograd, co-author (with Michael D. Hais) of “Millennial Momentum: How a New Generation is Remaking America” (Rutgers University Press, 2011), served as senior policy advisor to Vice President Al Gore and director of the National Partnership for Reinventing Government (NPR)

Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist; former senior Obama advisor in 2008, now runs the Los Angeles office for the Dewey Square Group.