Stanford Law School
Professor of law at Stanford Law School and author of The Race Card: How Bluffing about Bias Makes Race Relations Worse
PROFILE
Richard Thompson Ford
Guest
FROM Richard Thompson Ford
Which Way, L.A.?
Incivility and the Race Card in US Politics At town halls and tea parties, on cable TV and on the Internet — even in Congress --America's political discourse is increasingly angry and vitriolic. With the first black president in the White House, Republicans and the media are accused of inflaming racial anxieties. At the same time, massive new government programs in times of economic distress are legitimate subjects for heated debate. We talk about the roots of the outrage and the consequences for the Republican and Democratic parties. America's political discourse is increasingly angry and vitriolic, across the country and in the halls of Congress.
To the Point
Incivility, Racial Hostility and Dissent in America At town halls and tea parties, on cable TV and on the Internet — even in Congress --America's political discourse is increasingly angry and vitriolic. With the first black president in the White House, Republicans and the media are accused of inflaming racial anxieties. At the same time, massive new government programs in times of economic distress are legitimate subjects for heated debate. We talk about the roots of the outrage and the consequences for the Republican and Democratic parties. America's political discourse is increasingly angry and vitriolic, across the country and in the halls of Congress.
Which Way, L.A.?
Healthcare Reform and Race Relations President Obama's been criticized for taking on too many issues all at the same time. He began last night's opening statement by saying that health-insurance reform fits into his broader economic strategy. After last night's news conference, the President was asked about the arrest of Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates , who had forgotten his keys and was arrested while trying to get into his home.
To the Point
Obama Wades into Racial Issue during Press Conference At last night's news conference , the President was asked about the arrest of Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates , who had forgotten his keys and was arrested while trying to get into his home. Obama said that his friendship with "Skip" Gates could make him biased, but he was critical of the arrest for disorderly conduct, charges that later were dropped . Stanford Law Professor Richard Ford is author of The Race Card : How Bluffing about Bias Makes Race Relations Worse.
Which Way, L.A.?
The US Supreme Court and Reverse Discrimination In 2003, New Haven, Connecticut said it would promote firefighters based on a written and oral exam. But when the results were in, no blacks and only two Hispanics scored well enough to become lieutenants or captains. New Haven then scrapped the promotion exam. White firefighter Frank Ricci, who did well on the test, sued for reverse discrimination. Today, the US Supreme Court ruled in his favor .
To the Point
The US Supreme Court and Reverse Discrimination In 2003, New Haven, Connecticut said it would promote firefighters based on a written and oral exam. But when the results were in, no blacks and only two Hispanics scored well enough to become lieutenants or captains. New Haven then scrapped the exam. White firefighter Frank Ricci, who did well on the test, sued for reverse discrimination. Today, the US Supreme Court ruled 5-to-4 in his favor , saying the white firefighters were unfairly denied promotions based on their race. Dissenters said the white workers deserved "sympathy," but "had no vested right to promotion." Is the decision, which could alter employment practices nationwide, a case of "judicial activism," conservative style? Will it have an impact on President Obama's nominee to the court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor , who was effectively overruled by today's action?
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To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
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.