Which Way, L.A.?
Is It Graffiti? Is It Advertising? Or Is It Art?
The LA City Council rethinks street murals, in Santa Monica, America's first unionized carwash and, as the US withdraws troops from Iraq, what's it leaving behind?
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenLos Angeles is widely known as the street-mural capital of the world, but murals have been illegal for almost 10 years. The law makes no distinctions between art, graffiti or commercial advertising, and city contractors have rubbed out or painted over some very popular, even historical, works. Now the City Council is taking another look. Also, America's first unionized carwash -- in Santa Monica. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the US is withdrawing troops from Iraq. What's it leaving behind?
Banner image: How and Nosm, twins from Germany, Heartship. Photo by Daniel Lahoda
In this episode
4 storiesRepublicans Lose Redistricting Court Fight
The State Supreme Court has unanimously refused even to hear arguments against the first legislative and Congressional districts drawn up by a voter-created citizens' commission. Republicans left Assembly districts alone, but filed suit against 40 Senate and 53 Congressional districts. Yesterday, the court said forget it.
Read the story7 minMurals, Billboards and Graffiti
From East LA to Hollywood to the Westside, murals have made Los Angeles a worldwide capital of high-level street art that appeals to residents, critics and tourists. In 1986, the City Council issued a blanket exception for all outdoor murals.
Read the story13 minWhat's Next for 'Car-washeros' Trying to Unionize?
Bonus Car Wash, on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, is the first company of its kind in the country to become a union shop. It has to pay workers starting when they were told to show up at work, instead of making them wait until customers start arriving. Their breaks will be 10 minutes longer and they'll have water to drink.
Read the story5 minAs the US Withdraws Troops from Iraq, What Are We Leaving Behind?
George W. Bush began the latest war in Iraq, and agreement to end it by the end of this year was reached in his second term. President Obama was against the war from the start and, when he made he declared that, true to his promise, troops would be out of Iraq by the end of the year, he did not say, "Mission accomplished."
Read the story27 min