freelance writer and television producer
PROFILE
Kate Coe
Guest
FROM Kate Coe
Which Way, L.A.?
Is Long Beach Hate-Crime Trial Getting the Attention It Deserves? Last Halloween night, the Long Beach Police say three white women were attacked coming out of a haunted house in the upscale neighborhood of Bixby Knolls. One victim suffered broken facial bones and the partial loss of sight in one eye. Ten black juveniles—nine of them girls-- are on trial. Police say they yelled racial epithets during the assault, including "we hate whites" and "white bitches." Because of that, the District Attorney has accused eight of the defendants of hate crimes. That could mean a "first strike" on their adult criminal records. It's a potentially sensational story, including claims of intimidation against witnesses. But there are questions about whether it's getting the attention it really deserves.
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To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.