A Chevy Volt parked outside the Austin Convention Center.; Credit: Erica M/Flickr

General Motors just slashed the price of its electric model the Volt to try and make up for lagging sales. Nissan is also offering huge discounts on leases of their all-electric Leaf. The price of an all-electric car now rivals many popular non-electric models.

If the price tag is no longer a barrier to people buying electric cars, and they’re good for the environment, and they’re no longer a novelty...why aren't they selling? Are Chevy and Nissan doing an effective job of marketing the vehicles? Is there a broader marketing strategy for electric vehicles that would make them sell better? Do you own an electric car? Why? Would you consider buying one? Why not?

Guest:
Sasha Strauss, founder of Innovation Protocol

Click here to see a map of electric vehicle charging stations.

A Korean pop group 2NE1. Are views towards Asian Americans changing in the U.S.?

Used to be, the US was the world's cultural exporter writ large. But take a look at American pop culture today, and chances are, what you'll see is a lot of stuff from Asia. From boba drinks to the rise of K-pop to the popularity of Japanese fashion brands like Uniqlo, Asian pop culture is exerting its influence on stateside taste like never before. Globalization is one reason why. The power of the internet is another. Then there's also rise of Asia as an economic super continent.

Consumerism aside, the shift has compelled one writer to proclaim that it is actually kind of cool now to be Asian in America. By extension, it is also helping change long-held stereotypes about Asian Americans. But what are there real political implications?

Guests:
Phil Yu, blogger behind the influential Asian American blog, Angry Asian Man

Eric Nakamura, owner of Giant Robot -- which is a magazine, a retail space and an art gallery based in Santa Monica focusing on Asian and Asian American pop culture

Santa Monica police released this screenshot of a man suspected to be John Zawahri entering the Santa Monica College library on June 7, 2013; Credit: Santa Monica Police Dept.

The police are investigating details concerning the Santa Monica shootings that left five people dead. They found a AR-15 type rifle on gunman John Zawahri when he was shot. In his duffel bag, they found an upper receiver, a handgun, and firepower for the rifle and handgun. The police are still running tests on the weapons, but how will this incident affect California's gun laws that are on the Legislature floor?

Currently, SB374 proposes to expand the definition of illegal firearms to include anything with a detachable magazine. Also, SB53 wants to run background checks on those who purchase ammunition.

How easy is it to build or enhance a gun? Will this shooting affect pending legislation?

Guest:
Sharon McNary, KPCC Reporter

The record cover for "Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen

A fine little girl, she wait for me;
Me catch a ship across the sea.
I sailed the ship all alone;
I never think I’ll make it home

Three nights and days we sailed the sea;
Me think of girl constantly.
On the ship, I dream she there;
I smell the rose, in her hair.

Me see Jamaica moon above;
It won’t be long me see me love.
Me take her in my arms and then
I tell her I never leave again.

Are you hearing something that we’re not? The FBI did. They spent two years investigating the song, "Louie, Louie" and its lyrics for obscene messages. The song, famously mumbled by The Kingsmen,  infuriated a Florida high school teacher in 1964. She wrote a letter to the FBI insisting that something be done to ‘stamp out this menace’.

So, the FBI spent two years analyzing the lyrics by listening to the song at different speeds and trying to decipher the words. After all the man hours and tax dollars that were invested into this investigation, perhaps the FBI's only payoff was more versions of this song and the memorable scene from ‘Animal House’.

Do you hear obscene lyrics while listening to Louie Louie? Do you remember alternative versions that may have been NSFW? Do you think that this was good use of the FBI’s resources?

Louie, Louie,
Me gotta go.
Louie, Louie,
Me gotta go.

Guest:
Jon Wiener, professor of History at the University of California Irvine and author of “How We Forgot the Cold War: A Historical Journey across America”

A USC football game.; Credit: Picasa

How young is too young to recruit athletes? This week, USC offered a football scholarship to a 15-year-old incoming freshman to Upland High School. Nathan Tilford is a 6-foot-2, 190 pound receiver who is about to start summer practices at his new high school. USC offered a scholarship to a 13-year-old seventh grader a few years ago, and other schools have been doing the same. LSU offered a football scholarship to an eighth grader last year.

Why are schools making offers to these students so early? And how early is too early?

Guest:
Jeremy Crabtree, Senior Coordinator of Recruiting for ESPN RecruitingNation

People wearing sweat pants outside may prove that we're becoming "a nation of slobs."; Credit: alachia/Flickr

People just don’t dress up like they used to. A professor at the University of Notre Dame says she wants to revive the lost art of dressing.  Linda Przybyszewski teaches a class called “A Nation of Slobs: The Art, Ethics and Economics of Dress in Modern America.” The class description promises to answer “why the rogues in 19th century novels leer over women’s ankles” and why women used to gloves even when it wasn’t cold.

Have we become a nation of slobs? Why do we put less effort into dressing nicely these days?

Guest:
Katy Werlin, fashion historian who runs the blog, The Fashion Historian

Do you love watching movie trailers or are too lengthy?

On average, movie trailers are about 2 minutes and 30 seconds long. If the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) has its way, previews will start clocking in at just 2 minutes. Theater owners say they’ve been getting an earful from viewers telling them that trailers are too lengthy and give too much of the plot away.

But Hollywood studios, which rely primarily on trailers to attract viewers, are none too happy about the proposed change.

"My trailers are 2.5 minutes because that's what we need to send the right message. This could be a paradigm shift. Thirty seconds is a long time," an unnamed studio executive told the Hollywood Reporter.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to trailer lengths. Right now, studios follow marketing guidelines suggested by the Motion Picture Association of America, which puts a 2.5-minute restriction on them.  

Guest:
Pamela McClintock, senior film writer at the Hollywood Reporter

Some Venice residents want to allow for some restrictions on overnight parking for non-residents.; Credit: Jeremy Miles/Flickr

When the issue of beach access collides with the issue of street parking, expect fireworks. Today, the California Coastal Commission is set to hear a testy debate about overnight parking spots in Venice. Some residents of Venice are asking the CCC to allow for restrictions of overnight parking for streets between the ocean and Lincoln Boulevard. Only permitted parking for residents and guests would be allowed between 2 and 5 a.m.

The Venice Stakeholders Association argue that visitor and tourist parking would not suffer because more lots will open in the wee hours to mitigate for the loss. Those opposed to the plan say it sets a dangerous precedent for who and when the public beaches are accessible.

If you hit the beach for early morning runs or late night walks, where do you park? If you live in Venice or Santa Monica, how do you deal with parking challenges? How have other beach cities dealt with this?

Guest:

Mark Ryavec, long-time resident in Venice and member of the Venice Stakeholders Association; Ryavec joins us from outside the Commission hearing in Long Beach

Sara Wan, former California Coastal Commissioner; currently a land use consultant

What factors influence the names parents give their babies?; Credit: a.otge/Flickr

Have you ever wished that you had a different name? Many soon-to-be-parents take naming their bundle of joy very seriously and go on an exhaustive quest for the perfect baby name. Whether it’s inventing a name or inheriting one, parents juggle between names that are too common or too weird. Which factors influence this decision?

A recent study by University of Chicago political scientists stated that the parents’ political affiliation affects their baby’s name. The study showed that liberals prefer softer sounding names with “L” and “A” sounds, and conservatives prefer harder sounding names with “K” and “T” sounds.

In your experience, does this theory hold water? What are current baby naming trends? Do you have any naming regrets? Can a child’s name affect their lives and future success?

Guests:

Tom Wood, second author of the  University of Chicago paper, “Liberellas versus Konservatives: Social Status, Ideology, and Birth Names in the United States"

Pamela Redmond Satran, co-producer of baby name website Nameberry; co-author of numerous baby name books including, “Beyond Ava & Aiden: The Enlightened Guide to Naming Your Baby (St. Martin's Griffin, 2009) and “The Baby Name Bible: The Ultimate Guide By America's Baby-Naming Experts” (St. Martin's Griffin, 2007)

General Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency (NSA), commander of the US Cyber Command and chief of the Central Security Service arrives to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee on cyberthreats during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 12, 2013.; Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

National Security Agency Director Gen. Keith Alexander went behind closed doors today to give Senators a classified briefing on the scope of the security agency's domestic surveillance program. Yesterday, Alexander told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the program was responsible for thwarting "dozens of terrorist events" in recent years but didn't give specifics on how many, or what other programs helped avert the attacks.

Meanwhile, FBI director Robert Mueller said Thursday that the US is taking all necessary steps to prosecute the man who leaked the information, Edward Snowden. The former NSA contractor fled his home in Hawaii for Hong Kong shortly before the news broke and allegedly carried with him four laptops full of state secrets. Yesterday, he accused the US of hacking hundreds of targets in China and Hong Kong.

What criminal charges might Snowden face? How is the NSA explaining the surveillance program? If the meeting is behind closed doors, how much will we know? Is the US concerned that Snowden will hand over secrets to China?

Guests:
Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor and Publisher, The Nation

Cedric Leighton, founder and president of Cedric Leighton Associates and the former Director for Training of the National Security Agency

An artist's representation of DNA.; Credit: /iStockphoto.com

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that human genes cannot be patented, saying laws of nature and natural phenomena are not patentable. The ruling comes after cancer patients and their doctors challenged a company that had exclusive rights to certain human genes.  Myriad Genetics, a Utah-based molecular diagnostic company, had identified and patented two genes--BRCA1 and 2--whose mutations are associated with higher risks of breast and ovarian cancer.

With patents on the genes, Myriad was the only company that was allowed to perform tests on them. Prior to the ruling, the US Patent and Trademark Office had been allowing patents on genes for the last 30 years. Though court ruled that a natural gene can’t be patented, the justices agreed that a synthetic version of the gene may be.

Should companies have had the ability to patent these genes in the past? How will today’s ruling affect the medical and biotechnology industries?

Guests:

Lisa McElroy, Associate Professor of Law, Earle Mack School of Law, Drexel University

Brian Rye, Senior Health-Care analyst Bloomberg Government

Even though you probably can’t name one of the people who sits on your local school board, fire board, or mosquito abatement board, they play a powerful role in the local politics of your community. In California, where droughts are common, water boards are important players in both local and statewide issues, and their super-sized power occasionally leads to super-sized problems.

The Los Angeles Times reported that State Senator Ron Calderon’s recent troubles could, in part, be linked to his ties to the Central Basin Water District, who Calderon’s brother Tom is reportedly a consultant for. If it’s true, it wouldn’t be the first time a water board has found itself on the wrong side of the law.

What checks and balances do local communities have over these entities? What role do they play in our lives?

Guest:
Ellen Hanak, co-director of research and senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California

Jo Lawry, Judith Hill and Lisa Fischer in "Twenty Feet From Stardom."; Credit: RADiUS-TWC

Award-winning documentary producer and director Morgan Neville wanted to give the limelight to an often unnoticed voice that has filled millions of American homes - the back-up singer.

In his new documentary, “Twenty Feet from Stardom,” Neville featured the stories and voices of Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Tata Vega, and Judith Hill. Perhaps you’ve never heard of these names before. But you probably have heard their voices, singing on chart topping songs with Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Elton John and Stevie Wonder. “Twenty Feet from Stardom” explores the power of their voices and their stories of lost record deals as they worked to make ends meet.

Guests:
Morgan Neville, director of “Twenty Feet from Stardom”; founder of documentary company Tremolo Productions; producer, director and writer for Grammy-nominated “Johnny Cash’s America” (2008).

Judith Hill, singer and featured performer in “Twenty Feet from Stardom”; Hill was going to be part of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It Tour” and was a recent contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.” 

Amy Adams and Henry Cavill attend the UK Premiere of 'Man of Steel' at Odeon Leicester Square on June 12, 2013 in London, England.; Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

KPCC critics Lael Loewenstein and Peter Rainer join guest host Patt Morrison to review this week’s releases, including Man of Steel, This is the End, The Bling Ring and more. TGI-Filmweek!

Man of Steel

This is the End

The Bling Ring

Guests:

Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety

Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and Christian Science Monitor

Should parents take responsibility for comments their kids make online?; Credit: John Watson/Flickr

If a teenager uses offensive or racist language online, is it the parents fault? That's the question plaguing high profile members of Congress after their children used a string of racist and homophobic language on Twitter.

Tanner Flake, the teenage son of Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake used some severely homophobic statements and splashed around the N-word on Twitter and YouTube. Nevada Congressman Joe Heck's son was also caught making racist comments on Twitter including some that say President Barack Obama is only good at "spear chucking and rock skipping." Both politicians have apologized for the behavior of their kids.

If this type of language wasn't coming from a politicians child, would it be as offensive? Should we hold the children of public figures to a higher standard? How do you think this reflects on the character of the politicians themselves? How common is such behavior among teens?

Guest:

Karen North, Ph.D., Director, Annenberg Program on Online Communities, University of Southern California

Jonathan Alter's new book, "The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies" looks at President Obama's campaigns and his presidency.

Something happened to Jonathan Alter's "The Center Holds" on the way to the bookshelves - the center began to shake. The renowned journalist's latest profile of President Barack Obama chronicles his presidency and campaign over 2011 and 2012. Alter details the sophisticated campaign machine that used corporate-style analytics to up donations and get out the vote.

We learn about the "geek gap" that separated the Obama and Romney campaigns. (The Obama campaign's "cave" housed young data scientists, financial analysts even professional poker players using "propensity models" and apps to re-elect Obama). Alter also lends insight to the president's personality, saying Obama's "detached and self-contained nature had hampered his presidency" and that he "had been humbled by the opposition's intransigence."

Alter's latest volume ends on the wave of glory following November 6, 2012. However, in recent weeks, the White House has gone from proving its mettle to facing some of its toughest legacy tests: the leaks revealing secret surveillance by the NSA; the IRS admitting to targeting conservative groups for exceptional scrutiny; the Justice Department hunting a whistleblower by tracking calls of journalists.

Alter has long followed Barack Obama - how does he think the president will handle this onslaught? How protective of his legacy is Obama? Do these new revelations change Obama's mantle as a centrist?

Guest:
Jonathan Alter, Author, “The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies” (Simon & Schuster June 2013), Previous bestseller “The Promise: President Obama, Year One,” Analyst and Contributor for NBC News and MSNBC; former senior editor, Newsweek

A Syrian rebel fighter belonging to the 'Martyrs of Maaret al-Numan' battalion holds a position on June 13, 2013 in the northwestern town of Maaret al-Numan in front of the army base of Wadi Deif, down in the valley.; Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

The White House has announced plans to send military weapons to rebels in Syria after confirming that a "red line" has been crossed. The US says it has confirmed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used chemical weapons in the civil war. There is strong support in Congress for arming the rebels but the American public is less enthusiastic. A recent poll showed that only 11 percent of the public supports sending weapons to Syria's rebels. President Obama has acknowledged that Americans aren't eager to get drawn into another war so soon after Iraq and Afghanistan but maintains that some intervention is necessary after the "red line" was crossed.

What does ‘arming the rebels’ really mean? Have we learned from past mistakes the US has made when arming rebels in a foreign war? Should we be so heavily involved in another foreign conflict when we’re still dealing with Iraq and Afghanistan? 

Guest:
Josh Rogin, senior correspondent for national security and politics for Newsweek and The Daily Beast

Should sugar be regulated in the same way alcohol is?; Credit: trilli bagus/Flickr

Yep. That’s exactly what pediatric endocrinologist Robert Lustig at the University of California, San Francisco suggested in an interview at this year’s Aspen Ideas Festival. Lustig argues that sugar satisfies the four criteria used to determine whether a substance, like alcohol, should be regulated. 1. Ubiquity: it is everywhere. 2. Toxicity: that consumption in a large amount leads to chronic health problems. 3. Addictiveness: the more we eat it, the more we want it. 4. It has a negative impact on society.

Certainly, overindulging your sweet tooth could lead to diabetes, obesity and other health issues, but is sugar really as bad as something like liquor? Should we consider regulating sugar? What are the benefits and the drawbacks?  

Guests:
Robert Lustig, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco.

Keith Ayoob, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

The numbers of single fathers are on the rise--in 2011 there were an estimated 2.6 million compared to just 300,000 in 1960.; Credit: singleparentspecials/Flickr

Single dad households on the rise: The number of American households headed by a single father has significantly grown in the last five decades, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center.

Single fathers have risen nine-fold from 300,000 in 1960s to over 2.6 million in 2011. Nearly 8% of households are now headed by a single dad. Back in 1960 single dads made up just 14% of all single parents, now that number is 25%--nearly a quarter. Single fathers have an average income of $40,000, much higher than the average $26,000 for single mother households. The study also shows the change in the public perception of the role of fathers.

An opinion survey also conducted by Pew found that providing values as well as emotional support are now considered important roles for fathers, not just bringing in income. There are several factors that may have contributed to this dramatic increase. Out-of-wedlock births are now more common, single parenting is more acceptable, and courts over the years have been more likely to award custody to a father, all of these factors may  have impacted the rise.

Do you think this study reflects a change in how fatherhood is viewed? How has the role of fatherhood changed? Do you think there is a stigma with being a single mom that single dads don’t face? Are you a single dad? What problems do you face that couples raising kids don’t? What joys do single dads experience that couple raising kids don’t? Were you raised by a single dad? What things did he struggle with? Where did he excel?

Guests:
Christopher Brown, Executive Vice President, Fatherhood.org

Gretchen Livingston, Senior Researcher, Pew Research  Center

How do you get most of your news? The internet? Television? Radio?; Credit: Reut C/Flickr

Since you're reading this on the Internet, it may sound odd to learn that television is still the main source of news for the majority of Americans - 55% according to Gallup polling. It's not just the retiree demographic either. Half of adults aged 18 to 29 and half aged 30 to 49 told Gallup they turn to TV as their primary source for news. The Internet came in next as a main source of news for 21% of Americans. Nine percent said newspapers and just six percent cite radio, but those who do skew highly educated.

But how do people define news? Do talk shows count? Also, how much original reporting is being done for television and Internet outlets? Historically, newspapers have  worn out the most shoe leather while reporting on the day-in and day-out of our world. How will that continued deterioration of print readership affect journalism in the U.S.?

Guests:

Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief of Gallup

Jeff Sonderman,  Deputy Director, American Press Institute