Staff Reporter, Los Angeles Times
Staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times
PROFILE
Richard Schmitt
Guest
FROM Richard Schmitt
To the Point
Gonzales Is Out, Will Mukasey Be His Replacement? Former New York federal judge Michael Mukasey is President Bush's nominee to be the next Attorney General of the United States. He's a law-and-order conservative Senate Democrats may find acceptable, but he could face opposition from the Republican right wing. We hear about his record and some of the issues his confirmation will raise, including politics at the Department of Justice, warrantless wiretaps, the unitary executive and social issues, including abortion.
To the Point
Capital Punishment and Alberto Gonzales There are 3300 convicts on death row in the United States—more than 600 in California alone. Just 53 people were executed last year. Lengthy appeals and moratoriums in some states have delayed the process of capital punishment. When Congress re-authorized the Patriot Act, it included a provision that could speed things up by transferring certain authority from federal judges to the Attorney General of the United States. That's extended debate about the death penalty to the record of the current Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales. Before they went to Washington, Alberto Gonzales advised Governor George Bush on clemency for death penalty convicts. In six years, 150 people were executed, and each time Gonzales provided Bush with a document summarizing the facts of the case, the defendant's personal background and a legal history. We look at the man death-penalty advocates say is the right man to handle life-and-death issues, even as others question his potential for executing the wrong people when the process moves too fast.
To the Point
Judge Won't Delay Libby's Prison Sentence In Washington Federal District Court today, Judge Reggie Walton has ruled that Lewis "Scooter" Libby , former chief-of-staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, should go to jail, even though Libby is appealing his conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice. Rick Schmitt reports for the Los Angeles Times .
Recommended
Red State, Blue State
How Did We Get Here? California used to be red. West Virginia used to be blue. We look at the political history of both states.
KCRW Features
Measure B and municipal banking After the 2008 financial crisis, an activist movement rose up in opposition to the big Wall Street banks that caused the subprime mortgage collapse. They camped out in a park at the base of Wall Street, called themselves Occupy Wall street and eventually the movement spread to other cities. And here in LA there is a measure on the ballot for this Tuesday that has its roots in the Occupy LA movement.
To the Point
Firestorms, Federal Relief and Climate Change Victims of California’s fires can apply for assistance, but President Trump had a warning for the state’s residents. He wants to see a change in forest management. Scientists tell us the firestorms are are result of climate change--which the president still denies. Should cities still allow for building in firezones? Later, Warren talks to one Malibu resident about his firsthand experience in the Woolsey fire.