In yet another 5-4 ruling, the US Supreme Court has decided that corporations have the right to spend unlimited sums of money to support or oppose presidential or Congressional candidates. Justice John Paul Stevens, in a dissenting opinion, said, "The court's ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions around the nation". Is this a victory for free speech or a threat to our democracy?
If your HMO doctors don’t call you back within a half hour, or see you within a certain number of days – they could be penalized. New regulations from the California Department of Managed Health Care start the clock on how long you have to wait for treatment. Will this make for a healthier population, or will it stretch your doctor too thin to give proper care?
For information about timely access regulation call 1-888-466-2219, or visit the <a href="http://healthhelp.ca.gov">DMHC's Help Center online</a>.
The threat of flash floods and mudslides continue as the strongest storm of the week may be rolling into Southern California today. Flood control channels are already at capacity, and residents of Long Beach are being told not to drive their cars today. Evacuation orders are still in place for 1000 homes – how’s the weather where you are?
Federal investigators released findings this morning that the deadly 2008 Chatsworth Metrolink crash was caused when the engineer ran a red light, despite eyewitness claims that the light was green. Telephone records indicate that the engineer was text messaging around the time of the accident, but with engineers working 10-hour split shifts over 15-hour periods, could fatigue have also played a role? Is this a case of an engineer not having “his head in the game,” as NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman has said, or was this an accident waiting to happen?
In a reversal of its policy to refuse advertising from advocacy groups, CBS has agreed to sell 2010 Super Bowl time to Focus on the Family for an anti-abortion spot featuring Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother Pam Tebow, who was apparently advised by doctors to have an abortion while pregnant with Tim. In the past, CBS has turned down ads from the United Church of Christ, PETA and Moveon.org, begging the question: why now?
Playwright Neil LaBute and Obie/Golden Globe winner, four-time Oscar and Tony nominee Ed Harris are bringing “Wrecks” to the Geffen Playhouse next month. They sit down with Patt to talk about the story of a widower preparing for his wife’s funeral.
Patt Morrison is known for its innovative discussions of local politics and culture, as well as its presentation of the effects of national and world news on Southern California.
