Which Way, L.A.?
Could a Constitutional Convention Fix California Government?
As Sacramento's budget crisis drags on, the costs of delay are rising. We hear about increased efforts to deal with continued dysfunction by re-writing the Constitution. Also, is the LAPD really different? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, 40 years ago today, Buzz Aldrin became the second man to walk on the Moon. We talk with Aldrin and others.
By Warren Olney • • 53m ListenAnother day with no state budget brings California another day closer to a credit crisis that could damage business and create unemployment. Would re-writing the Constitution make things better or worse? Also, Bill Bratton's LAPD gets out from under the federal consent decree. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, 40 years ago today, Buzz Aldrin became the second man to walk on the Moon. Was that the outer limit of human capacity? Should robots take it from there or should we humans try to reach Mars? We'll talk with Aldrin and others.
Banner image: A demonstrator (L) mocks Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for remarking that he relaxes in his jacuzzi with a cigar after each day of dealing with the state economy as activists rally near the Santa Monica Airport. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
In this episode
4 storiesSpace Travel: The Past and the Future
What does a man do for an encore after walking on the moon? That's the question Buzz Aldrin faced after eight days on Apollo 11, including the first moon landing 40 years ago today. It's one of the subjects addressed in his new book, Magnificent Desolation : The Long Journey Home from the Moon.
Read the story28 minTreasurer Warns Continued Budget Delay Threatens Economic Recovery
Governor Schwarzenegger met with legislative leaders again today with all sides repeating a familiar refrain: agreement is near on closing the $26 billion budget gap. But, as they shut the doors, that gap wasn't closed yet. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer says that brought California's infrastructure rebuilding program just that much nearer to…
Read the story6 minCould a Constitutional Convention Fix California Government?
Everybody agrees that Sacramento's race toward disaster is not just because the current leadership is incompetent. It's also blamed on a government structure , which has not been systematically reformed since 1879.
Read the story16 minLAPD Free from Consent Decree
Last Friday, the Los Angeles Police Department got out from under eight years of federal oversight. Judge Gary Feess ended a consent decree imposed after the Rampart scandal in 2001, in which officers were accused of tampering with evidence, abusing suspects and lying under oath about their misconduct.
Read the story7 min
