Should Whales and Dolphins Be in Aquatic Parks or the Open Ocean?
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When he killed his trainer at SeaWorld, was the Orca called Tilikum an enraged, wild animal out of control or just curious about her ponytail? We hear different answers to that and other questions about Orcas, dolphins and commercial whaling. Also, the Supreme Court takes up a gun control, and the US Post office wants an end to deliveries on Saturday, but that’s not all. What will it take to keep a venerable institution in business?
Banner image: A newborn baby killer whale swims with it's mother Kasatka on December 21, 2004 at Shamu Stadium at SeaWorld Stadium in San Diego, California. Photo: SeaWorld via Getty Images
Making News
Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Chicago Gun-rights Case ()
Two years ago, the US Supreme Court said gun control in Washington, DC violated the second amendment. Today, the court took up the handgun ban in Chicago, which raises some different issues. Jess Bravin covers the court for the Wall Street Journal.
Guests:
- Jess Bravin: Supreme Court Reporter, Wall Street Journal, @JessBravin
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Main Topic
Of Man and (Killer) Whales ()
Just three days after a six-ton killer whale battered and drowned his trainer in front of a horrified crowd, SeaWorld opened again this weekend in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego. Tilikum, the Orca that did the killing, will continue life as a valuable stud who's fathered 13 calves — and as a performer. Critics are asking challenging questions. Can human beings ever know what a killer whale is thinking? Should orcas be released to sea rather than held in captivity to entertain human beings? We hear from both sides and look at the controversy about dolphins kicked up by The Cove, a documentary nominated for an Oscar.
Guests:
- Thad Lacinak: former Curator of Animal Training, SeaWorld
- Naomi Rose: Marine Mammal Biologist, Humane Society of the United States
- Louie Psihoyos: Founder, Oceanic Preservation Society
Reporter's Notebook
Could Saturday Mail Delivery Become a Thing of the Past? ()
The US Postal Service is still losing money — $3.8 billion last year, more than ever before, and Postmaster General John Potter says it's going to get worse unless Congress approves some drastic changes. Today, backed up by independent studies for improving an "untenable" business model, he asked Congress to cut Saturday deliveries and to provide more flexibility for price increases and negotiations with organized labor. Ed O'Keefe is the Federal Eye blogger for the Washington Post.
Guests:
- Ed O'Keefe: Federal Eye blogger, Washington Post, @edatpost
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