Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Should 'Notorious RBG' stay above the political fray?
Justice Ginsburg caught heat this week from both sides of the aisle for calling Donald Trump “a faker” who has “an ego.” Americans expect members of the high court to avoid wading in political muck; but Ginsberg isn’t called “Notorious RBG” for nothing.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenSupreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg caught heat this week from both sides of the aisle for calling presidential candidate Donald Trump “a faker” who has “an ego.” Americans expect members of the high court to avoid wading in political muck; but Ginsberg isn’t called ‘Notorious RBG’ for nothing. Then, Los Angeles County supervisors are hoping that a state ballot measure to legalize marijuana will pass in November so that they can tax it to pay for homeless services. It’s the latest in a three-pronged city-county-state strategy city officials hope will help solve LA’s homeless crisis. Also, developers are exploiting a loophole in California’s ballot initiative process to bypass environmental laws and speed developments. It’s a strategy pioneered by Wal-Mart. Next, a new documentary explores the rise and fall of Jewel’s Catch-One, LA’s first black gay disco. And finally, the LA dining scene is getting a bit precious, with unnecessary French words and terms like curated and foraged being thrown around on every menu. So food writer Josh Scherer decided to take a stand – and make a list.
Image: Steve Petteway, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
In this episode
5 storiesRuth Bader Ginsburg takes heat for Trump comments
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg caught heat this week from both sides of the aisle for calling presidential candidate Donald Trump “a faker” who has “an ego.” Trump responded by calling Ginsberg a disgrace, tweeting, “her mind is shot – resign!”
Read the story10 minCan taxing marijuana help solve LA’s homelessness crisis?
Los Angeles County supervisors are hoping that a state ballot measure to legalize marijuana will pass in November so that they can tax it. The idea is part of their plan to fight homelessness – tax recreational pot to pay for homeless services. Previous ideas like a millionaire’s tax and a sales tax have fizzled.
Read the story7 minDevelopers use a loophole to bypass Calfornia’s environmental rules
Developers are exploiting a loophole in California’s ballot initiative process to bypass environmental laws and speed developments. Normally, the planning process for development takes years, stalled by environmental reviews and lawsuits. But a developer in California can put a proposal before voters as a ballot initiative instead.
Read the story9 minThe rise and fall of Jewel’s Catch-One, LA’s first black gay disco
In this day and age, where gay marriage is legal, gays and lesbians can serve openly in the US Armed Forces, and gay, lesbian, and transgender characters can be seen all over film and television, it’s easy to forget the battles that were fought to bring about that change.
Read the story14 minThe most annoying words and phrases on restaurant menus
The Los Angeles dining scene is getting a bit precious, with unnecessary French words and terms like artisanal, curated, and foraged being thrown around on every menu. So realizing he was suffering from CMF – Chronic Menu Fatigue – food writer Josh Scherer decided to take a stand.
Read the story8 min
