Which Way, L.A.?
Paul Tanaka, Candidate for LA Sheriff
An LA County on violence faulted Sheriff Baca and Undersheriff Tanaka for a lack or leadership that led to deputy abuses. Now Tanaka's running against his former boss.
By Warren Olney • • 24m ListenThe Citizens Commission on violence in LA County said both Sheriff Lee Baca and Undersheriff Paul Tanaka were responsible for a "failure of leadership" that led to abuses including violence by deputies in county jail. Now Sheriff Lee Baca is running for re-election next year and Paul Tanaka is running against him. The former Undersheriff says the Commission report is full of "lies" about him and his record. Also, the passing of LA's unofficial poet laureate. We remember Wanda Coleman.
On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, workers at Walmart are staging the latest in a series of strikes across the country set to culminate on Black Friday. We hear what they want and how Walmart is reaction.
In this episode
2 storiesPaul Tanaka Talks Back
Last year, the Citizens Commission on Jail Violence blamed both LA County Sheriff Lee Baca and Undersheriff Paul Tanaka for a "failure of leadership" that permitted a culture of deputy misbehavior including brutality against inmates of county jails. Sheriff Baca said Tanaka was responsible.
Read the story13 minThe Passing of LA's Unofficial Poet Laureate, Wanda Coleman
Wanda Coleman grew up in Watts in the 1950's. She described her own childhood as unhappy, and was outraged by racism and hatred. She went on to write 20 books, including novels and collections of other works. She won poetry prizes and was a finalist for the National Book Award. She died last Friday after a long illness at the age of 67.
Read the story11 min
