Which Way, L.A.?
Measure L: Who Hates Libraries?
All 73 public libraries in the City of LA are closed two days a week, depriving residents of an all-American service that goes back to Ben Franklin. Measure L on next week's ballot would provide new library money without raising taxes. But opponents say that's the rub. Also, how the new Lakers-Time Warner deal will hit the pocketbooks of all cable subscribers, and the race to replace Councilman Greig Smith. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, al Qaeda and the challenge of people power.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenAll 73 public libraries in the City of LA are closed two days a week, depriving residents of an all-American service that goes back to Ben Franklin. Measure L on next week's ballot would provide new library money without raising taxes. But opponents say that's the rub. We hear both sides of Measure L. Also, how the Lakers' new deal with Time Warner will hit the pocketbooks of cable subscribers who don't even care about basketball, and the race to replace Councilman Greig Smith. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, peaceful protesters are overthrowing governments and raising hopes for new freedoms in the Muslim World. Will al Qaeda and other violent extremists just fade away or live to exploit the likely chaos if high expectations are disappointed?
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In this episode
4 storiesLakers Deal with Time Warner to Cost All TV Viewers
There's a new twist on the Lakers' 20-year deal with Time-Warner Cable, which controls about 40% of the pay-TV homes in the LA market. Not only will it make watching basketball more expensive for fans, it will drive up the cost of cable subscriptions for everyone else.
Read the story9 minLA to Vote on Measure L: Who Hates Libraries?
All Los Angeles City Libraries are now closed two days a week. It's the first time in 140 years that not even one library is open everyday. The Mayor and City Council have the authority to give them more money, but they're asking voters to do it — without raising taxes.
Read the story11 minThe Race to Replace Councilman Greig Smith
There are seven LA City Council seats on the ballot next week, but only one without an incumbent. The 12th District is in the San Fernando Valley, where Mitch Englander is the establishment candidate against five non-insiders . Englander is the chief-of-staff for Councilman Greig Smith, who's retiring.
Read the story5 minAl Qaeda and the Challenge of People Power
Pakistan's only Christian cabinet member was under threat of death for opposing laws against "insulting" Islam. He was murdered today in Islamabad. In Yemen a radical cleric, once a mentor of Osama bin Laden, has rallied crowds with calls for establishing Islamic rule.
Read the story27 min
