Should force-feeding in prisons be legal? ; Credit: Getty Images

Thousands of California inmates have been on a hunger strike since early last week in protest of prisons’ use of indefinite solitary confinement and calling better overall prison conditions.  Thirty thousand prisoners were a part of the strike at its start, but the number has fallen to just over 4,000 in the protest that involves two-thirds of California prisons. The strike raises questions over whether force-feeding inmates will be considered.

As the debate over force-feeding at Guantanamo Bay heats up and some lawmakers call for its end, what would California Corrections do? It has said there are no plans to start force-feeding inmates as of yet, but courts say prisons can force-feed inmates if it’s necessary to maintain safety and order. Should inmates be allowed to go hungry if it endangers their own safety? 

Guests:

Christie Thompson, Reporter, ProPublica

Scott Kernan, Retired Undersecretary of Operations, California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Jon Eisenberg, Attorney, Horvitz & Levy LLP

Margo Schlanger, Professor of Law, University of Michigan 

Can the Coastal Commission help stop the removal of the fire rings on the beaches? ; Credit: Getty Images

Despite opposition, the South Coast Air Quality Management District board approved restrictions Friday on the fire pits  Southern California beaches. The restrictions will keep fire pits at least 700 feet from the nearest residence.

The fire rings can be closer to residences if they are at least 100 feet apart from each other if the city has 15 or fewer rings. Other restrictions include limiting beach fires on days of high pollution. Newport Beach is expected to see the biggest impact. The Air Quality Board is also looking to try out programs that would use natural or propane gas instead of wood as an option.

The Coastal Commission  requested scientific data on health effects on fire pits to see if this was truly an issue for residents.

Do you think the District Board made the right decision? What if anything can the coastal commission do? Do you think the restrictions are fair? Are fire rings harmful to residents and the environment?

Guests:

Ben Bergman, KPCC’s reporter who has been following the fire pits controversy

Nancy Gardner, Newport Beach city councilwoman representing District 6 which includes Corona del Mar, where several fire pits are

Is exercise still necessary? ; Credit: Joint Base Lewis McChord/Flickr

City of Hope researchers believe they’ve found a gene that links obesity, cancer and diabetes back to a single human gene. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that RLIP76, a gene that removes toxic agents from cells, may play a significant role in weight gain and may also be related to cancer and diabetes.

The researchers tested mice that did not have the protein and found that they didn't gain any weight, despite a high-fat diet. The mice were also unable to get cancer, diabetes or high cholesterol. City of Hope plans to start clinical trials with patients before the year’s end. Could the removal of this gene really stop people from gaining weight without dieting or exercising? 

Guest:

Dr. Sanjay Awasthi, M.D., professor of diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, and medical oncology at City of Hope, also helped author the study

Why do you think there is a lack of diversity in children's books? ; Credit: Flickr/GlobalPartnership for Education

A recent report from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that despite the increasing diversity in the U.S., the number of children’s books written by or about people of color continues to be very low. The CCBC found that of the 3,600 books it received in 2012, 68 were by African Americans and 119 were about African Americans. Just 54 of the 3,600 were about Latinos.

The CCBC started keeping statistics on the number of books in the U.S. by and about minorities in 1994. That year, the numbers were proportionally about the same—of the 4,500 books the library received, 166 were about African Americans and 90 were about Latinos—and they have stayed fairly consistent since the CCBC started keeping track of the numbers. Some argue that there simply isn’t a large enough demand for editors and publishers to create books that feature main characters of color. While others would argue that there can’t be a demand for something that’s not on the market. 

Why is it that the majority of characters in books and movies continue to be white despite an increasingly diverse population? Is the demand lacking? How can we get more character diversity in these books? How do children benefit from seeing themselves reflected in books or movies?

Guests:

Kathleen T. Horning, Director, Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Daniel Nayeri, Digital editorial director, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Group

Kadir Nelson, author, 2012 Coretta Scott King Award recipient

Bring the family to KPCC's #KidReads Live! On Saturday, July 20, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, KPCC's early childhood development correspondent Deepa Fernandes moderates a fun and interactive program to encourage children to read. Click here to RSVP.

And kids, what's your favorite book? Click here to learn more about KPCC's #KidReads program.

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner said he won't resign until he has a chance to respond to his accusers. ; Credit: Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

The pressure is on Mayor Bob Filner as even his former supporters are urging him to resign, after allegations of sexual harassment of women have surfaced. Three former supporters released details alleging Filner forced two women to kiss him, and grabbing the breasts of another staff member. Attorney Marco Gonzalez held a press conference saying that Filner’s behavior was so egregious that women called him “dirty old man.”

Filner issued a statement that he would not resign until he has an opportunity to respond and is given his due process. He says his behavior has been misinterpreted, but he has apologized to his staff for his admitted poor treatment of women. If the accusations are true, why did they go on for so long when so many people knew about it? This is certainly not the first time a man in power has been accused of sexually harassment women.

Why is such behavior still allowed in the workplace? What constitutes sexually harassment? What rights do women have in the workplace? What are the risks a woman faces in going public? Are the allegations against Filner more ok because of his age?

Guest:

Nancy Bornn, employment law attorney in private practice in Playa del Rey; author of “Representing California Sexual Harassment Plaintiffs” 

Demonstrators took the streets in Los Angeles in the aftermath of George Zimmerman's acquittal. ; Credit: Getty Images

The acquittal of George Zimmerman came on Saturday, but the fallout continues. Last night, we learned more about what influenced the jury's decision. A woman known only as Juror B 37 revealed her thinking: she had "no doubt" George Zimmerman feared for his life; she believed his "heart was in the right place" but he didn't use "good judgement; and she didn't think racial profiling was a factor in the fatal shooting of black teenager Trayvon Martin.

As the interview played on television screens, protests of the acquittal were ratcheting up in and around Leimart Park. It became violent at a turn with injuries to three people and property damage. LAPD made 14 arrests - half are minors. Police Chief Charlie Beck declared any protests tonight would be met with stiffer response from police.

What's your reaction to the juror interview? Does it alter your view of the verdict or the case? Why did the LAPD react as it did last night? What should its approach be tonight?

Guests:

Stanley Goldman, Professor of Law at Loyola Law School

Holly Mitchell, Democratic Assemblymember for California’s 54h district,  Member, Assembly Committee on Public Safety; and Chairs the California's Legislative Black Caucus

Connie Rice, Civil rights attorney & co-director The Advancement Project; Board Member Emeritus, KPCC Radio

A KTVU news anchor read the fake names of the four Asiana pilots last week.; Credit: Zennie Abraham/Flickr

Asiana Airlines says it's going to sue the Bay Area TV station that broadcasted fake and racially insensitive names for the four pilots involved in the plane crash that took place in San Francisco earlier this month. Asiana is planning to sue KTVU-TV for defamation. On Friday, a news anchor at the station read the bogus names that spelled out phrases like "Something Wrong" and "We Too Low."

KTVU  immediately apologized, but it would not say how it originally got the offensive names, but that they were confirmed by the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB also issued an apology, saying that a summer intern had erroneously confirmed the fake names.

Does Asiana have a case? What can journalists do to prevent something like this from happening again?

Guests:

Doris Truong, Vice President of UNITY: Journalists for Diversity

Adrianos Facchetti, defamation lawyer in Los Angeles and he runs the California Defamation Law Blog

Lisa Gritzner, President of Cerrell, a public relations firm in Los Angeles

Elian Herrera is mobbed by teammates after his walk off RBI single in the ninth inning to defeat the San Francisco Giants on October 1, 2012 at Dodger Stadium. ; Credit: Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Baseball’s current greats are all in New York for the MLB All-Star Game, but it’s Los Angeles that has the been the city playing possibly the best ball in the league in the past month. With the help of a Cuban immigrant named Puig, the Dodgers have climbed to within just 2.5 games of the top spot in the National League West, and if the team stays healthy, they’re a good bet to go long into the post season.

If anyone knows the potential of the Dodgers’ second half of the season, Dan Evans does. He’s a former Dodgers General Manager (2001-04) and currently the top scout for the Toronto Blue Jays, and he’s in studio with us today to talk about rebuilding a club, scouting for its future, and dealing with the daily challenges of trying to win a World Series.

Guest:
Dan Evans, scout for the Toronto Blue Jays, Commissioner of the Northern League, former Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers

Nury Martinez revealed she was sexually abused as a child. ; Credit: clcv/Flickr Creative Commons

In the midst of what has become a heated race to replace former 6th District City Councilman Tony Cardenas, one of the candidates has revealed that she was sexually abused as a child. Nury Martinez, one of the two top candidates for the council seat said yesterday that she had been repeatedly sexually abused when she was “3 or 4” years old.

The disclosure came in response to ads circulated by the other top runner Cindy Montanez. The ads claim that Martinez, a former school board member, hadn’t done enough to protect students during a series of teacher abuse scandals. Martinez called the accusation of a cover-up by the school board hurtful.

Was it necessary for Martinez to reveal that she was abused? What does this mean for the two candidates? Will it help or hurt Martinez’ chances?

Guest:
Catherine “Kay” Saillant, reporter, Los Angeles Times

New York Times bestselling author Chuck Klosterman makes a case for why society loves a good villain in his new book, “I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined).”

New York Times bestselling author Chuck Klosterman has recently found himself identifying with unexpected characters —villains. In his new book, “I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined),” Klosterman examines the psychology of villainy. He said that as he matured, he found himself relating to the bad guys because they’re more realistic than the archetype heroes.

For example, Klosterman said that as a child, he loved Luke Skywalker. As a teenager, he identified with Hans Solo, a cool bad boy who’s good at heart. But as an adult, he feels like Darth Vader, relating to a person being pushed to do something against his will and making human decisions with dark consequences.

In Klosterman’s book, he also discusses why people support real-life lawbreakers. Although people understand that the actions are wrong, there’s a sense of respect for someone willing to step out of the confines of society and challenge the legal and social norm.

Are villains misunderstood heroes? Have you ever identified with someone on the other side of the law? Which are your favorite villains (real and imagined)?

Guest:
Chuck Klosterman, author of “I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined)”; New York Times bestselling author; Klosterman has been published in GQ, Esquire, Spin, The Washington Post, The Guardian and ESPN.

At 7:30 PM tonight, Chuck Klosterman will read from his book at Skylight Books in Los Angeles. For more information, click here.

Is Janet Napolitano the best candidate to the UC system? ; Credit: Getty Images

Janet Napolitano, the U.S. secretary of homeland security, was nominated on Friday as the next president of the University of California. The UC Regents will vote on Napolitano’s nomination tomorrow.

The choice is largely seen as an unorthodox one, given Napolitano’s lack of higher education experience. But supporters say she makes up more than enough for it with plenty of experience leading a large and complex governmental organization. What’s more, Napolitano comes with a proven track record of raising money, an especially important asset with the drastic cuts the UC system has faced in the past decade.

Napolitano will succeed Mark Yudof, who announced in January that he’s stepping down.

Guests:

Bob Powell, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis, and the University of California Academic Senate Chair

Abraham Wagner, Visiting Professor of Law at UCLA and Professor of International & Public Affairs at Columbia University

Senator Jim Beall authored SB 131 that would extend the statute of limitations for victims of sexual abuse in California.; Credit: Sammy Dee/Flickr

California Senator Jim Beall is pushing to extend the statute of limitations on sexual abuse. His bill, SB 131, opens a one-year window from 2014-2015 for previously barred abuse victims to file suit against alleged abusers or the employer of the abuser.

Senator Beall’s bill follows Orange County Register’s reporting on coaches sexually abusing their young female gymnasts and swimmers. However, many organizations are opposing SB 131.

The last time the statute of limitations was extended was in 2002. SB 1779 passed with little to no opposition, and it allowed victims to sue those who knew of abuse and did not address it. According to the Orange County Register, nearly 1,000 cases were filed in California in 2003 as a consequence of SB 1779. The Los Angeles Times reports that the California dioceses paid $1.2 billion in settlements.

Opponents to SB 131 say this bill would open up the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, and other employers to lawsuits over old allegations that would be difficult to fight in legal battles. Currently, the Catholic Church, the California Council of Nonprofit Organizations, The California State Alliance of YMCAs, the California Assn. of Private School Organizations and USA Swimming, among others, oppose Senator Beall’s bill. 

Should the statue of limitations be extended? Would third parties be able to fight decades-old allegations? 

Guests:

Jim Beall,  California State Senator (D-San Jose); author of SB 131

Kevin Eckery, President of Eckery Associates, a crisis management firm; and spokesman for the Coalition Against 131

Should Metro build a 710 freeway tunnel? ; Credit: Flickr/formulaone

Metro and CalTrans have already spent two years researching how to relieve traffic in Los Angeles County. Their study, SR-710, began in 2011 with 40 different traffic alternatives. By 2012, it became 12 options and is now narrowed down to five.

The study focuses on the gap between the 710 and the 210 freeways, forcing commuters to take local streets to travel north and south in the San Gabriel Valley. According to Metro spokeswoman Helen Ortiz-Gilstrap, there are 60,000 cars on Fair Oaks Avenue and 50,000 cars on Fremont Avenue per day and the gridlock in that area is very severe.

Metro’s five alternatives are:

1. No-build: The only changes will be those already planned by local jurisdictions.
2. Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand Management: Metro would improve the existing system by introducing strategies such as coordinating traffic signal timing and promoting carpooling and public transit.
3. Bus Rapid Transit: By creating bus lanes, high speed and high frequency buses would run between 18 proposed locations.
4. Light Rail Transit: Metro would build a 7.5 mile light rail with trains connecting East Los Angeles to Pasadena.
5. Freeway Tunnel: A 6.3 mile four-lane tunnel would connect the end of the 710 freeway in Alhambra with the 210 freeway in Pasadena.

This study and the controversial freeway tunnel have spurred cities to go head-to-head. Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Marino and Duarte are in favor of this project. Mayor Steven Placido of Alhambra joins AirTalk to discuss how the 710 freeway was never supposed to end in Alhambra. Placido supports the freeway tunnel because he believes it would relieve traffic by 20 percent and the other options would only have a two percent effect.

However, South Pasadena, Pasadena, La Cañada, Glendale and Los Angeles oppose the freeway tunnel. Mayor Pro Tem of South Pasadena, Marina Khubesrian, also joins AirTalk to raise her concerns. She believes that this freeway tunnel is contrary to Metro’s efforts of reducing drivers through public transportation. In addition to air quality concerns affecting residential neighborhoods, opponents state the money just isn’t there to build a freeway tunnel.

The SR-710 study has caused the No 710 Action Committee to actively oppose the freeway tunnel. Committee members marched on the Fourth of July in protest of the tunnel. In contrast, Mayor Placido made last Wednesday “710 Day” in Alhambra.

All this debate caused the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board to recently vote on not accelerating the 710 project, giving Metro time to continue studying options. Metro will present their most recent research to the community on July 18, 20, and 23.

Which option should Metro pursue? What are your concerns about the five alternatives?  

Guests:
Doug Failing, Executive Officer for Metro Highway Program; oversees the environmental study on the 710

Steven Placido, D.D.S., Mayor of Alhambra

Marina Khubesrian, M.D., Mayor Pro Tem of South Pasadena

For more information about Metro's community meetings on Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday, click here.

Should the museum sell off parts of its collection? ; Credit: Flickr/jasontho

LA's museum row is home to one of the world's most renowned automotive institutions. So when the LA Times reported the Petersen Automotive Museum taking a drastic detour, many car culture junkies and Angeleno history buffs were left confused. Petersen Executive Director, Terry Karges, told KPCC he plans to "totally remake the museum...change it from the inside and out [and] bring it into the modern era." The Times reported a new emphasis on motorcycles and vintage French art-deco cars, which happen to be personal favorites for Karges and a new Petersen board member. The original founder Robert Petersen was a devotee of Hollywood car culture and helped cultivate an incredible collection including Herbie, the Love Bug. Karges says there will still be one Herbie in its collection. Still, former Peterson director, Buddy Pepp is critical of the changes. He told KPCC, "Robert and (wife) Margie were larger than life in Hollywood. They would want our grandchildren and the public to see our historic car culture in Los Angeles."

What else does the Petersen leadership plan to transform? How does an historic institution launch into a modern era? Is there really a new focus on motorcycles and French cars? How many cars are being auctioned? What would the Petersens have thought of the changes? Is this a necessary move to keep the museum interesting?

Guests:

Terry Karges, Executive Director, Petersen Automotive Museum

Jason Fogelson, Freelance Automotive Journalist; Member of the board of the Motor Press Guild

Is religious freedom in the military being threatened?; Credit: Getty Images

Congressman John Fleming (R-LA) has proposed an amendment concerning religious rights in the military to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 (NDAA). His amendment, section 530, passed through the House Armed Services Committee as well as the House on June 14. Alongside Congressman Fleming’s amendment is a Senate amendment sponsored by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) that is awaiting a Senate vote.

Section 530 wants changed “The Armed Forces shall accommodate the beliefs” to “Except in cases of military necessity, the Armed Forces shall accommodate the beliefs, actions, and speech” and change restrictions to religious freedom in the military from “that threaten” to “that actually harm.” This comes after a report by the Family Research Council that states religious freedom is being threatened, citing incidents where veterans were disinvited to speak at national events due to their beliefs in Christianity, Islam, Catholicism and Judaism.

In addition, the report mentions instances where the promotion of religious material was banned and Evangelical Christians and Catholics were labeled extremists. The White House  issued a statement that the Administration “strongly objects” this amendment because “by limiting the discretion of commanders to address potentially problematic speech and actions within their units, this provision would have a significant adverse effect on good order, discipline, morale, and mission accomplishment.” Other groups such as the ACLU believe religious freedom is already protected in first amendment rights and this study by the Family Research Council is exaggerated.

Is religious freedom in the military being threatened? What would happen if this amendment passes? Is military order more important than religious freedom?

Guests:
Congressman John Fleming, M.D., Louisiana 4th Congressional District U.S. Representative (R-LA), Congressman Fleming proposed amendment section 530.

Cedric Leighton, founder and president of Cedric Leighton Associates, a risk and leadership management consultancy. He is also a retired colonel in the US Air Force, former Director for Training of the National Security Agency and a former Commander of 316th training squadron.

For decades, rock stars and other iconic figures have graced the cover of the venerable Rolling Stone magazine. What does Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's presence on the latest issue mean? ; Credit: Keneth Cruz/Flickr

Rolling Stone's new cover story about the alleged Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is causing some outrage over its use of the photo, which was snapped by Tsarnaev himself.

It's a somewhat glamorous image of a scruffy teenager with long curly hair, T-shirt and a soft gaze. It's the kind of photo that doesn't seem out of place on the cover of Rolling Stone except that this image is accompanied by the caption "The Bomber." 

Critics allege that it makes the alleged terrorist look like a rock star and is adding to his celebrity. But the same image has also been featured in news stories on the New York Times and the Washington Post. The magazine argues that it's simply using a photo of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to illustrate an article about Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the same way any magazine or newspaper would. CVS, Walgreens and local retailers have pledged to not sell copies of the latest issue.

Does putting the alleged terrorist on the cover elevate him to the level of celebrity? Are we uncomfortable seeing the image of Tsarnaev because he doesn't fit our idea of a "terrorist"? Should the magazine have chosen a less flattering photo? How does this compare to when Rolling Stone put Charles Manson on its cover in 1970?

KPCC's online polls are not scientific surveys of local or national opinion. Rather, they are designed as a way for our audience members to engage with each other and share their views. Let us know what you think on our Facebook page, facebook.com/kpcc, or in the comments below.

Guest:
 David Folkenflik, NPR media correspondent

With the growing acceptance of gays and lesbians in the U.S., why are so many bisexuals hesitant to reveal their orientation?; Credit: thisisbossi/Flickr

With massive legal and political victories recently for gays and lesbians, American society seems much more accepting of homosexual orientation. Yet, while the queer pride movement was meant to advocate on behalf of myriad sexualities, one particular group is still very much "closeted," according to new research.

A Pew survey of LGBT Americans found only 28 percent of bisexuals had revealed the fact to important people in their life. That's compared to 77 percent of gay men and 71 percent of lesbians who said the important people in their life were aware of their orientation. "Furthermore, 65 percent of bisexual men say that only a few or none of the important people in their life know they are bisexual," the authors wrote.

What makes the survey results especially surprising are the population numbers for bisexuals. A 2011 survey by UCLA's Williams Institute found of the 3.5 percent of American adults are gay, lesbian, or bisexual - fully 1.8 percent of those American adults identify as bisexual.

With further social recognition of homosexuality, will bisexuals gain more acceptance?

Guests:

Allen Rosenthal, senior research at the human sexuality lab at Northwestern University. He is lead author on a 2011 study on bisexual men that was widely covered in the press

Denise Penn, a director at The American Institute of Bisexuality and a clinical social worker in Orange County

Do you give cash as a wedding gift? ; Credit: Flickr/Scorpions and Centaurs

As wedding season kicks into high gear there is the topic that everyone loves to hate – the wedding gift. With so many couples sharing a home for years before walking down the aisle it may not make sense any more to buy your friends a blender. Some couples are looking for new, and controversial, ways of requesting gifts such as registering for honeymoon activities, a Playstation, or even asking for cash. In fact, in many cultures, cash is the required gift.

Are the wedding gift rules changing? As a guest, do you find these new gift options creative or crass? What's your least favorite new wedding trend?

Guest:

Jamie Miles, online producer for The Knot

Should California get digital license plates? ; Credit: Flickr/Fabi Dorighello

Technology has made a lot of things work a lot better, faster, easier. If Senate Bill 806 gets the blessings of Sacramento lawmakers, California license plates might also get a digital upgrade.The bill lets the Department of Motor Vehicles start a digital license plates program for as many as 160,000 cars. A San Francisco-based startup, Smart Plate Mobile, would be providing the technology. The pilot program won’t cost the state any money and could save DMV millions of dollars a year in postage for renewals.

Privacy advocates are worried that the program will lead to warrantless surveillance by the government. So how would the program work? Are the privacy concerns overblown?

Guests:

Jim Lites, a patner at Schott and Lites. He is the legislature representative for Smart Plate Mobile, which would provide the technology for this proposed DMV program.

Pam Dixon, Executive Director at the World Privacy Forum - a non-profit organization focused on privacy issues based in San Diego

Bruce Forman to embark on Route 66 Tour

Bruce Forman, a jazz guitarist and educator, is hitting the streets for a unique music festival. Forman, along with musicians affiliated with the University of Southern California, will perform along several venues on the iconic Route 66. They will perform everything from jazz to retro swing ensembles. The tour is made possible by the USC Thornton School of Music’s contemporary music division and with the knowledge of studio/jazz instructor Bruce Forman. Forman is no stranger to the route, he toured Route 66 three times with his band, Cow Bop. The festival is  being billed as Music Licks on 66 and from July 19-30 expect to catch the musicians in concerts, and also impromptu street performances.

You can follow the tour on Twitter at @lickson66 or their website. 

Guest:

Bruce Forman, assistant professor of jazz guitar at USC’s Thornton School of Music