Will Blackwater Come to California?
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Blackwater, the company famous for contractors who killed 17 Iraqi civilians, wants to set up a training camp east of San Diego. But the tiny town of Potrero nearby is overwhelmingly opposed. Was it all about the environment, maintaining a rural lifestyle, or the war in Iraq? Also, American automakers, mileage standards and money.
PHOTO: Charred branches after strong winds pushed the Harris Fire to more than 75,000 acres on October 25, 2007 near Potrero, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Making News
Federal Judge Throws Out Automakers’ Suit Against California Emissions Standards ()
Auto makers lost another battle today when a federal judge threw out their case against California’s law limiting greenhouse gases. It mandates a big jump in mileage standards for cars and trucks. Today’s decision may well be appealed, but the Sierra Club says, “Sooner or later [the auto makers] will have to stop throwing lawyers at the problem and start hiring engineers.”
Guests:
- Dan Neil: Pulitzer Prize-winning auto critic, Los Angeles Times, @Danneilwsj
Links:
Main Topic
Will Blackwater come to California? ()
Potrero is a mountain town forty-five miles east of San Diego. It’s near where Blackwater Worldwide wants to build a training camp with eleven firing ranges, a driving track and a helipad. Blackwater says it will go ahead, even after yesterday’s local election in which Portrero voters recalled five planning board members. The margin of dis-favor was between 63 and 70%.
Guests:
- Gordon Hammers: Former chair of the Potrero Planning Board
- Rick Jacobs: Democratic activist and Founder of the Courage Campaign, @rickjacobs
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Budget Déjà vu: California’s Short $14 Billion ()
Today’s LA Times says Governor Schwarzenegger told social service advocates that next year’s state deficit may be 14 billion dollars, not the 10 billion recently projected. That’s 12% of the budget.
Guests:
- Jean Ross: Executive Director of the California Budget Project
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Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.We Thank Our Sponsor:
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