Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Politics of Fighting ISIS
President Obama made a case last night for carrying out a campaign of airstrikes in Syria to fight the radical Islamist group ISIS, also known as ISIL, or the Islamic State. How much was his speech about national security, and how much was it about domestic politics?
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenPresident Obama made a case last night for carrying out a campaign of airstrikes in Syria to fight the radical Islamist group ISIS, also known as ISIL, or the Islamic State. How much was his speech about national security, and how much was it about domestic politics? Next, federal agents raided 75 businesses and homes all over Los Angeles yesterday, in a crackdown on alleged money laundering for Mexican drug cartels. The raids particularly targeted the downtown Fashion District: why? Then, in our recurring cars segment, we hear about the self-driving car. Next up, film: What’s the psychology behind watching the same movies over and over, and why doesn’t Los Angeles have a world-class film festival? Finally, we look at how the business of fantasy football affects the game of real football.
Banner Image: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers a live televised address to the nation on his plans for military action against the Islamic State, from the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington September 10, 2014. REUTERS/Saul Loeb/Pool
In this episode
6 storiesThe Politics Behind Obama’s ISIS Speech
President Obama made his case last night for taking on the radical Islamist group ISIS, also known as the Islamic State or ISIL. The President announced a campaign of airstrikes in Syria, an effort to arm moderate rebels in the country and that he’d be sending an additional 475 troops to Iraq.
Read the story8 minGarment District Raid
Federal agents raided 75 businesses and homes all over L.A. yesterday, in a crackdown on alleged money laundering for Mexican drug cartels. They arrested nine people and seized $90 million. And the raids targeted one neighborhood in particular: the downtown Fashion District.
Read the story9 minBeyond Cruise Control
General Motors made big headlines earlier this week, and this time, it had nothing to do with massive recalls. G.M.’s CEO Mary Bara announced that the company will be unveiling cars that can steer, accelerate and brake themselves. It’s not a self-driving car, necessarily, but a big step in that direction.
Read the story7 minWhy Do We Re-Watch Movies Over and Over?
Can you mouth along with every line from the movie Sixteen Candles? Have you recited Monty Python’s dead parrot skit one too many times for all your friends? We often go back to our favorite movies, TV shows, books, songs over and over and over again. But why? There’s no suspense. We’ve heard all the jokes before. We know what’s going to happen.
Read the story9 minL.A.’s Film Festivals
One of the biggest and most prestigious film festivals wraps up this week in Toronto. Why doesn’t L.A. - the home of the world’s movie business - have a world-class film festival, like Toronto, Cannes or Park City? Turns out, L.A. does have a long list of fests. It’s just that you might not have heard of most of them.
Read the story7 minHow Fantasy Football is Changing the Game
NFL season is well underway, but the action isn’t relegated to game day. Being a football fan is an around-the-clock job for some 33 million people who play Fantasy Football in this country. Fantasy Football is big fun, but also big business - and it affects the real game of football.
Read the story8 min
