7/28/00

LC000728

VAL>> ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT --

WARREN>> VIOLENCE FOR MOST OF US IS JUST AN ABSTRACTION, FACELESS, WITHOUT A NAME. TONIGHT WE MEET ONE OF THE NUMBERS.

NOAH NELSON>> LINDA DE MAGNUS KNOWS ABOUT THE LOSS OF FAMILY. JUST THREE MONTHS AGO, SOMEONE SHOT AND KILLED HER ONLY SON, OMAR REED.

LINDA DE MAGNUS>> FOR WHATEVER REASON HE WAS KILLED, IT STILL LEAVES ME CHILDLESS.

VAL>> AND SPARRING PARTNERS, MADDOX & HEWITT, ARE HERE.

HEWITT>> ON THE EVE OF THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION, THE SELECTION OF DICK CHENEY HAS REPUBLICANS SMILING.

MADDOX>> AND WHY IS MAYOR RIORDAN AT WAR WITH HIS OWN COMMISSIONERS OVER HIS REPLACEMENT?

HEWITT>> THOSE STORIES ARE COMING UP ON MADDOX & HEWITT.

WARREN>> ALSO TONIGHT, THE POLITICAL CONVENTIONS ENTER THE INTERNET AGE. NOW YOU CAN WATCH THE CONVENTIONS LIVE ON THE WEB AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF WHAT YOU WANT OR DON'T WANT TO SEE.

VAL>> THESE STORIES COMING UP NEXT ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT FOR FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2000.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS:

THE JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION
WHICH IS DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFORMED CALIFORNIA CITIZENRY.

AND THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION
DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

WARREN>> GOOD EVENING, I'M WARREN OLNEY.

VAL>> AND I'M VAL ZAVALA.

WARREN>> OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT, A DISTURBING CHANGE THE POLICE SAY THEY DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND. CONTRARY TO THE NATIONAL TREND, HOMICIDES IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES ARE ON THE INCREASE BIG TIME.

VAL>> THE RISE IN MURDERS HAS OCCURRED OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS MAINLY IN SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES WHERE GANGS ARE ACTIVE, BUT NOT ALL THE KILLINGS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO GANGS. NOAH NELSON LOOKS AT THIS DISTURBING TREND.

NOAH>> THE CITY OF LA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY VIOLENT SUMMER. THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 280 MURDERS IN THE CITY SO FAR THIS YEAR, A MORE THAN 30 PERCENT INCREASE IN MURDERS OVER THIS SAME TIME LAST YEAR. THIS SUDDEN SPIKE IN VIOLENCE IS BEING CALLED A CRISIS.

POLICE ARE HARD-PRESSED TO EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHY THERE'S BEEN A RISE IN THE MURDER RATE THIS YEAR, BUT THEY POINT TO AN INCREASE IN GANG VIOLENCE AS ONE OF THE FACTORS. MOST OF THE MURDERS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST PART OF THE CITY WHERE POLICE SAY GANG ACTIVITY HAS INTENSIFIED.

CMDR. DAVID KALISH>> IT SEEMS TO US THAT MANY OF THE GANGS HAVE BEEN EMPOWERED NOW. THEY HAVE SOME NOTORIETY. THEY EVEN HAVE SOME SYMPATHY AND THEY ARE BEING MORE BOLD THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST. IT'S TOO SOON TO TELL IF THIS IS SIMPLY A TEMPORARY SPIKE IN THE HOMICIDE RATE OR IF WE'RE SEEING SOME CHANGES IN THE LONG-TERM TRENDS.

NOAH>> THE LAPD SAYS MORE THAN 40 PERCENT OF THIS YEAR'S MURDERS HAVE BEEN GANG-RELATED AND PERHAPS OTHER FALLOUT OF THE DISMANTLING OF THE DEPARTMENT'S TROUBLED CRASH ANTI-GANG UNIT. LA COUNCILMAN, MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS, BELIEVES THE WAVE OF VIOLENCE IS PARTLY DUE TO CUTBACKS IN THE CITY'S SUMMER JOBS AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS>> WE BELIEVE, GIVEN THE SPIKE IN THE VIOLENCE, THESE YOUNGSTERS ARE VULNERABLE IN THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH SOME OF THEM LIVE. ON THE OTHER HAND, WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THEY DON'T BECOME PART OF THE PROBLEM, THAT THEY COULD BE ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES THAT ARE OF A DELINQUENT NATURE AND/OR WORSE.

NOAH>> RIDLEY-THOMAS IS SPONSORING A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD IMMEDIATELY FUND EMERGENCY SUMMER JOBS, INCREASE FUNDING FOR JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS, CREATE A VIOLENCE PREVENTION HANDBOOK AND HOTLINE NUMBER AND INCREASE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, PLACES LIKE SAVE OUR FUTURES, A NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH AND JOB TRAINING CENTER IN SOUTH LA, RUN BY CHARLOTTE JORDAN.

CHARLOTTE JORDAN>> I DON'T WANT TO GO TO NO FUNERAL. YOU GUYS HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO TALK ABOUT THINGS. YOUR MOTHER DON'T WANT TO GO TO NO FUNERAL, AND GIRLS GET KILLED JUST LIKE BOYS, OKAY?

ALTHOUGH WE'RE IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE THERE'S PROBLEMS AND GANG ACTIVITY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A PART OF IT. WE SHOW THEM THAT THERE ARE OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO BEING A PART, THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELONG TO A GANG TO PROVE WHO YOU ARE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEMAND RESPECT FROM SOMEONE. YOU GIVE RESPECT AND IT'LL AUTOMATICALLY BE GIVEN.

NOAH>> THESE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY DEATH AND VIOLENCE IS ALL AROUND THEM AND LIFE IS SOMETIMES LIKE A GAME OF ROULETTE WITH THE GANGS SPINNING THE WHEEL.

KELLY BURGOS>> THE GANGS AROUND HERE, IT'S LIKE 40 DOWN THE STREET AND 60 UP THE STREET. IT'S LIKE CRIPS RIGHT THERE, BLOODS IN THE MIDDLE, AND CRIPS. YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T GET ALONG, SO IT'S LIKE WE CAN GET SHOT JUST WALKING DOWN THE STREET.

NOAH>> ACCORDING TO CHARLOTTE JORDAN, OTHER COMMUNITIES MAY BE SHOCKED BY THE VIOLENCE HERE, BUT THEY ARE NOT IMMUNE TO ITS EFFECTS.

CHARLOTTE JORDAN>> YOU CAN'T SIT UP IN YOUR HOUSE AND SAY, "OH, THAT'S TROUBLE. THAT COMMUNITY'S HAVING PROBLEMS" BECAUSE EVENTUALLY IT'LL END UP ON YOUR FRONT DOOR. EVERYBODY'S AFFECTED WHEN YOU LOSE A CHILD TO A CRIME. EVERYBODY'S AFFECTED. HOW DO WE KNOW WE DIDN'T JUST LOSE THE NEXT PERSON THAT COULD HAVE CURED THE AIDS VIRUS? AND BECAUSE WE DIDN'T CARE ENOUGH OR NOBODY CARES ENOUGH ABOUT THE NEXT PERSON, WE'RE LOSING FAMILY MEMBERS, WE'RE LOSING FRIENDS.

LINDA DE MAGNUS>> IN THIS ONE, HE'S ABOUT FIFTEEN MONTHS, ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. HAD A LOT OF HAIR, HUH?

NOAH>> LINDA DE MAGNUS KNOWS ABOUT THE LOSS OF FAMILY. JUST THREE MONTHS AGO, SOMEONE SHOT AND KILLED HER ONLY SON, OMAR REED. FOR HER, THE MURDER RATE IS NO LONGER JUST A NUMBER, BUT A PAINFUL COUNTING OF THE SON SHE LOVED FOR 26 YEARS.

LINDA DE MAGNUS>> WE CAME OUT HERE FROM NEW ORLEANS. JUST THE TWO OF US, A 26-FOOTER U-HAUL TRUCK, FOR A NEW LIFE. HE WAS SHOT AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. HE WAS SHOT THROUGH THE EYE. THIS EYE WAS OPEN AND I KISSED HIM AND I CLOSED HIS EYE AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I TOUCHED MY SON.

NOAH>> THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT OMAR REED'S MURDER WAS GANG-RELATED, BUT HIS MOTHER BELIEVES IT MAY HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE SOMETIMES VIOLENT RAP MUSIC INDUSTRY. REGARDLESS, IN ALMOST EACH AND EVERY CASE, A MURDER LEAVES SOMEONE ASKING WHY.

LINDA DE MAGNUS>> FOR WHATEVER REASON HE WAS KILLED, IT STILL LEAVES ME CHILDLESS AND I JUST TRY TO GET BY.

WARREN>> WELL, THAT REALLY BRINGS IT HOME AND WE ALL HAVE TO EXPRESS OUR SYMPATHIES TO A PERSON WHO HAS TO GO THROUGH JUST A TERRIBLY TRAGIC EXPERIENCE LIKE THAT. HOW DO THE POLICE KNOW THAT AN INCREASE LIKE THIS IS DUE TO GANG INVOLVEMENT AND HOW MUCH OF IT DO THEY ATTRIBUTE TO THE DISMANTLING OF THE CRASH UNITS, THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AGAINST STREET HOODLUMS, THAT WERE DISMANTLED AS A RESULT OF THE RAMPART SCANDAL?

NOAH>> FIRST OF ALL, THEY SAY THAT WHEN CRASH WAS DISMANTLED, THERE WAS NO POLICE ACTION IN PLACE FOR ALL OF THAT AND THEY HAD TO REBUILD IT AGAIN. IN THAT TIME, THE GANGS GOT BOLDER. THE GANGS DIDN'T HAVE THE PRESSURE ON THEM. ALSO, CRASH MADE THE LAPD LOOK BAD AND THE SYMPATHY SHIFTED FROM THE LAPD TO SOME OF THE GANGS WHO HAD ALL ALONG BEEN SAYING, "HEY, THESE GUYS ARE AS BAD AS WE ARE."

VAL>> BUT IN THIS CASE, IN LINDA'S CASE, NO EVIDENCE THAT THE KILLING WAS GANG-RELATED, ANY EXPLANATION FOR WHY THE VIOLENCE IS UP EVEN IN NON-GANG-RELATED KILLINGS?

NOAH>> NO. NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER TO THAT. THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN CRIME IN GENERAL IN LA IN THE LAST YEAR AND THIS MAY JUST BE A PART OF THAT.

VAL>> NOW THIS PROPOSAL TO GIVE MONEY FOR SUMMER JOBS, WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

NOAH>> RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY THING THAT HAS MONEY FUNDED PRESENTLY IS THE SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM. EVERYTHING ELSE IS VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSIDERATION.

VAL>> I SEE. A LITTLE LATE, BUT BETTER LATE THEN NEVER. NOAH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT REPORT.

TOMORROW ON LIFE AND TIMES WEEKEND, WE LOOK AT SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH. NEW OWNERS OF THE 75-YEAR-OLD LONG BEACH COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER ARE DISMANTLING IT. NEIGHBORS AND STAFF FEEL BETRAYED.

>> DURING THE LAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS, I AND MY VICE CHAIRMAN HAVE BEEN WINED AND DINED ALL THROUGH THE EIGHTEEN MONTHS, AND WE HAVE BEEN DUPED.

VAL>> THAT'S TOMORROW AT 2:00 P.M. ON LIFE AND TIMES WEEKEND EDITION.

WARREN>> WELL, IT IS FRIDAY AND THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IS GOING TO BEGIN NEXT MONDAY, SO WE GET THE LATEST FROM MADDOX & HEWITT.

HEWITT>> KERMAN MADDOX, NOTHING AMUSES ME MORE THAN WATCHING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN PANIC AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK WHEN DICK CHENEY WAS NAMED THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE. NO SOONER HAD THAT ANNOUNCEMENT CAME OUT THAN OUR OLD FRIEND, BARBARA BOXER -- THAT'S THE ONLY ONE THEY COULD FIND TO GO ON NATIONAL TV AND HURL INSULTS AT DICK CHENEY. YOU KNOW, SHE ACTUALLY SAID THAT DICK CHENEY WAS OUTSIDE OF THE MAINSTREAM? THAT'S LIKE JIM CARREY CALLING SOMEONE MANIC. BUT AFTER THAT WAS OVER, IT JUST KEPT GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING HE'S ANTI-CIVIL RIGHTS AND HE'S ANTI-ENVIRONMENT. LAST NIGHT ON POLITICALLY INCORRECT, WILLIE BROWN SAT THERE AND TRIED TO TELL ME HE VOTED AGAINST LETTING NELSON MANDELA GO. KERMAN, IT'S A SIGN OF DESPERATION AMONG THE DEMOCRATS IF THEY HAVE TO INVENT THESE LIES ABOUT THE GOOD, SOLID DICK CHENEY.

MADDOX>> WELL, NO, YOU'RE AMUSING, HUGH. I DON'T THINK DEMOCRATS ARE PANICKING. IN FACT, I GOT TO TELL YOU, I THINK DICK CHENEY'S SELECTION WAS RATHER INTERESTING. HE'S A DECENT GUY. I'VE SEEN HIM ON A NUMBER OF TALK SHOWS. BUT THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE IS YOU GUYS NEED TO REACH OUT TO INDEPENDENT VOTERS, WOMEN VOTERS, MINORITY VOTERS, BECAUSE GEORGE W. BUSH SAYS HE'S A COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVE AND YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM HIS RECORD. SO AS MUCH AS DICK CHENEY APPEARS TO BE A VERY CALM, DECENT, LIKABLE GUY, FORGET THE NELSON MANDELA VOTE.

BUT LET ME JUST BRING UP TO ISSUES THAT I THINK CREATES PROBLEMS FOR YOUR PARTY. NUMBER ONE, HE VOTED AGAINST WHAT WE CALL THESE COP-KILLER BULLETS. THERE WAS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT CAME THROUGH WHEN HE WAS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE COUNTRY BASICALLY SAID LET'S BAN THESE BULLETS BECAUSE THEY GO RIGHT THROUGH BULLET-PROOF VESTS. THEY KILL COPS, NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO, HE VOTED AGAINST FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABORTIONS FOR WOMEN WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF RAPE, INCEST OR IF THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER WAS ENDANGERED. SO IF YOU'RE A POOR WOMAN AND YOU'RE THE VICTIM OF RAPE, IN THE WORLD OF DICK CHENEY, YOU OUGHT NOT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN ABORTION BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THAT. SO I THINK THAT PRESENTS PROBLEMS FOR YOU NOT ONLY FOR WOMEN VOTERS, BUT INDEPENDENTS. BUT I DON'T SEE HOW DICK CHENEY CONNECTS WITH CALIFORNIA VOTERS, SO I GOT TO TELL YOU, IN THAT CONTEXT, I THINK CALIFORNIA SQUARELY IS IN THE COLUMN OF AL GORE.

HEWITT>> WELL, THE SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER POLL GIVES AL GORE A SEVEN POINT LEAD WHEN IT SHOULD BE DOUBLE DIGITS AT THIS POINT. OF COURSE, THE LA TIMES POLL SAYS IT'S TIED. WE'LL SEE AFTER THE CONVENTION WHERE IT IS. AND THERE WILL BE THESE SERIAL CHARGES AND THEY ARE ALL INFLATED AND THEY ARE ALL COMPLETELY FABRICATED, SO THEY HAVE TO GET KNOCKED DOWN --

MADDOX>> WELL, WAIT A MINUTE --

HEWITT>> -- I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THE ONE YOU JUST BROUGHT UP --

MADDOX>> -- THOSE VOTES ARE NOT FABRICATED.

HEWITT -- ABOUT THE ABORTION FEDERAL FUNDING. THE PERSON WHO'S GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT IS AL GORE BECAUSE, AS BILL BRADLEY POINTED OUT, IN 1985 AL GORE VOTED AGAINST FEDERAL FUNDING FOR WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT FOR ABORTION, SO IT'S YOUR NOMINEE THAT HAS TO WORRY ABOUT IT. BUT HERE'S THE OVERRIDING FACT. IN 1989, DICK CHENEY WAS NOMINATED TO BECOME SECRETARY OF THE DEFENSE. THE SENATE WAS CONTROLLED BY THE DEMOCRATS IN 1989. YOU KNOW WHAT THE VOTE WAS ON HIS NOMINATION? 100 TO NOTHING AND THERE IS IN THE RECORD GLOWING TESTIMONIES OF DICK CHENEY FROM TOM DASCHLE AND EVERY OTHER DEMOCRAT THERE. THAT'S WHY BARBARA BOXER HAD TO BE DRAGGED OUT OF RETIREMENT FROM THE RHETORICAL SIDELINES. SINCE CLARENCE THOMAS, THEY'VE PUSHED HER TO THE SIDE SO AS NOT TO EMBARRASS THE DEMOCRATS. THEY HAD TO GO GET HER.

MADDOX>> NO, I THINK CHENEY IS WELL LIKED BY ALL THE WASHINGTON ESTABLISHMENT. HE'S A CLASSIC WASHINGTON INSIDER. DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SEEM TO LIKE HIM. THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE IS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE ABORTION ISSUE, THAT'S OUR ISSUE. THE DEMOCRATS ARE SEEN AS THE PARTY THAT LOOKS OUT FOR THE INTEREST OF WOMEN. SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET INTO A DEBATE ABOUT AL GORE AND DICK CHENEY ON THE ABORTION ISSUE, I'LL HAPPILY TAKE THAT DEBATE. WE'RE GOING TO WIN THAT. THE OTHER THING, HUGH, IS, AGAIN, DICK CHENEY, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW HE FITS WITH THE AGENDA THAT GEORGE W. BUSH TALKS ABOUT BEING THIS COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE HE'S WORKED ALL THIS TIME TO SAY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S OPEN TO EVERYBODY. THEN YOU BRING IN A GUY LIKE DICK CHENEY WHO'S RECORD, FORGET HIS PERSONALITY, CLEARLY SAYS MINORITIES, WOMEN AND OTHERS ARE SIMPLY NOT WELCOME.

HEWITT>> THE CLICHÉ OF THE WEEK, OF COURSE, IS THAT THE CHENEY NOMINATION IS A GOVERNING CHOICE, THAT GEORGE W. IS SO CONFIDENT OF WINNING, THAT THE POLLS ARE SO OVERWHELMINGLY FAVORABLE TO HIM RIGHT NOW, THAT HE'S LOOKED PAST NOVEMBER AND SAID WE WANT SOMEONE THERE WHO'S IN A POSITION TO TAKE THE HELM. I THINK THAT KIND OF FORCES THE DEMOCRATS TO GEORGE MITCHELL, BUT BEFORE WE LEAVE, I JUST GOT TO SAY THIS. AS THESE DEBATES UNFOLD, I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE WHOEVER GOES UP AGAINST DICK CHENEY BECAUSE DICK CHENEY HAS FORGOTTEN MORE ABOUT NATIONAL ISSUES THAN ANYONE ON THE SHORT LIST OF AL GORE AND WE WILL SEE, COME THE FALL, WHICH IS THE BETTER CHOICE.

NOW, KERMAN, WE OUGHT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING --

MADDOX>> NO, LET ME ASK YOU ONE OTHER QUESTION ABOUT CHENEY.

HEWITT>> WELL, GO AHEAD, SURE. WE'RE RUNNING LOW ON TIME.

MADDOX>> DOES IT CONCERN YOU THAT THERE IS THIS IMPRESSION THAT BUSH'S FATHER IS THE ONE WHO MADE THE CHOICE, THEREFORE, PEOPLE ARE SAYING GEORGE W. BUSH IS GOING TO BE RUN BY HIS DADDY. THAT'S THE IMPRESSION A LOT OF PEOPLE --

HEWITT>> YOU KNOW, IF THE FATHER'S POLITICS ENTER INTO THIS DEBATE, AL GORE'S IN BIG TROUBLE BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT AL GORE'S FATHER DID WHEN HE WAS IN THE SENATE? HE VOTED AGAINST THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, SO I THINK IT'S BETTER TO HAVE YOUR DAD BE --

MADDOX>> -- OH, NO, NO, NO.

HEWITT>> -- YES, HE DID VOTE AGAINST THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 --

MADDOX>> -- THE REASON HE LOST, HE VOTED FOR THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF '65 --

HEWITT>> -- NO, NO, BUT HE VOTED AGAINST THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 --

MADDOX> -- BUT HE VOTED FOR THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

HEWITT>> LET'S BRING IN THE DADS IF YOU WANT TO BRING IN THE DADS. I'D RATHER HAVE GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENT THAN --

MADDOX>> -- I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RECORD'S STRAIGHT. VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF '65 --

HEWITT>> -- I DIDN'T SAY THAT --

MADDOX>> -- AL GORE'S FATHER LOST BECAUSE HE SUPPORTED THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

HEWITT>> LET'S TALK ABOUT -- AM I WRONG ABOUT THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964?

MADDOX>> YOU'RE NOT WRONG, BUT YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY WRONG ABOUT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

HEWITT>> I DIDN'T SAY THAT. I SAID THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.

MADDOX>> LET'S GET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.

HEWITT>> I WANT TO GET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT JIMMY HAHN BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONE POLITICIAN I LOVE TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE HE MAKES DICK CHENEY LOOKS EXCITING. YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS CALL HIM JIMMY "YAWN" ON THIS SHOW AND IT'S REALLY JIMMY HAHN, BUT NOW HE'S IN BIG TROUBLE BECAUSE ALL OF HIS APPOINTEES ARE GETTING FIRED. WHY GO WITH THE GUY THAT TURNS OUT TO BE TYPHOID MARY?

MADDOX>> ACTUALLY, THE PROBLEM IS WITH MAYOR RIORDAN. MAYOR RIORDAN, AS YOU KNOW, HAS APPOINTED A NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO COMMISSIONS. WHAT HAPPENS IS, HE HAS FOUND OUT THAT MANY OF HIS COMMISSIONERS HAVE LINED UP TO SUPPORT JIMMY HAHN TO REPLACE HIM AS MAYOR. THE MAYOR, OF COURSE, IS SUPPORTING HIS COMMISSIONER, STEVE SOBOROFF. WELL, TED STEIN, WHO HAS BEEN A LOYAL CLOSE ALLY OF THE MAYOR, IN FACT, YOU REMEMBER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, HE'S BEEN ON THE SHOW. HE RAN FOR CITY ATTORNEY AGAINST JIMMY HAHN WITH OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM MAYOR RIORDAN. HE WAS FIRED THIS PAST WEEK BECAUSE THE MAYOR SAID HE NEEDED SOME NEW BLOOD ON THE HARBOR COMMISSION. MOST PEOPLE SAY TED STEIN IS SUPPORTING JIMMY HAHN. HE'S OUT THERE RAISING MONEY. SO WHAT HAPPENS IS, THE RIORDAN POLITICAL FAMILY, AS WE'VE COME TO KNOW IT, HAS BEEN BROKEN UP BECAUSE, OTHER THAN THE MAYOR, ALL HIS SUPPORTERS AND ALL HIS KEY PEOPLE ARE NOW LINED UP BEHIND JIMMY HAHN TO REPLACE HIM AND NOT STEVE SOBOROFF.

HEWITT>> NOW HERE'S MY QUESTION FOR YOU. GIVEN THAT THIS IS GOING TO INTRODUCE A LOT OF ILL WILL BETWEEN RICHARD RIORDAN AND JIMMY HAHN AND THOSE APPOINTEES WHO'VE BEEN FIRED, WHEN SOBOROFF DOES NOT MAKE THE FINAL ROUND, AND I DON'T KNOW MANY PEOPLE WHO THINK HE IS GOING TO MAKE THE FINAL ROUND WHEN IT'S JIMMY HAHN AND EITHER JOEL WACHS OR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY IF ZEV EVER GETS OFF THE MARK AND DECIDES TO GET INTO THIS RACE, WHAT'S RICHARD RIORDAN GOING TO DO? IS HE GOING TO LINE UP WITH HIS APPOINTEES OVER HERE ON JIMMY HAHN'S SIDE AND PUT THE CITY TO SLEEP FOR EIGHT YEARS OR IS HE GOING TO GO WITH SOMEONE WHO'S DYNAMIC AND MIGHT DO SOMETHING FOR THE CITY OF ANGELES?

MADDOX>> WELL, NO, HE'S COMMITTED TO STEVE SOBOROFF. HE'S GOING TO BE --

HEWITT>> -- BUT ONCE HE'S OUT.

MADDOX>> -- ONCE HE'S OUT. YOU KNOW WHAT THE RUMOR IS? PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK THAT RICHARD RIORDAN WANTS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE AIR OF EDUCATION AND SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING IF ROY ROMER DOESN'T WORK OUT, LOOK FOR RICHARD RIORDAN LATER ON DOWN THE LINE TO GET INVOLVED AND BE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

HEWITT>> LAST QUESTION, THOUGH. AS BETWEEN JIMMY HAHN AND JOEL WACHS OR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY, WHO WOULD RICHARD RIORDAN SUPPORT?

MADDOX>> BETWEEN THOSE THREE, THAT'S A TOUGH ONE. I THINK HE'D PROBABLY GO WITH JOEL WACHS RATHER THAN THE OTHERS.

HEWITT>> THAT'S IT FOR THIS EDITION. WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AFTER THE CONVENTION. DON'T GO ANYWHERE BUT BACK TO VAL AND WARREN.

VAL>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

IT'S TIME NOW TO HEAR WHAT YOU, OUR VIEWERS, HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR SHOWS. NOW ON TUESDAY, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT A PLACE CALLED THE CORNFIELD. IT'S AN EMPTY PIECE OF LAND NEAR DOWNTOWN LA. A PROMINENT DEVELOPER, MAJESTIC REALTY, PLANS TO BUILD AN INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE ON THE SITE, BUT LOCAL ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE FIGHTING THE PROJECT, HOPING INSTEAD FOR A MUCH-NEEDED PARK AND RECREATION AREA IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. WELL, BRIAN BEEZLEY OF SAN MARCOS E-MAILED US:

"YOUR STORY ON THE CORNFIELD CONTROVERSY LEFT ONE QUESTION UNANSWERED. WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY?"

VAL>> WELL, WE HAVE AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, BRIAN. THE PROPERTY WAS LAST OWNED BY SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD AND IS NOW IN ESCROW TO MAJESTIC REALTY. THAT'S THE COMPANY THAT WANTS TO DEVELOP THE LAND. WELL, AFTER WE AIRED THE STORY TUESDAY NIGHT, THE LOS ANGELES CENTRAL AREA PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE DEVELOPER, MAJESTIC REALTY, APPROVING THE PLAN FOR THE INDUSTRIAL PARK. THAT VOTE MEANS THAT CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN ON THE LAND BY THE END OF THIS YEAR; HOWEVER, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS LIKE THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL SAY THEY WILL SUE THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, ARGUING THAT NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT HAS BEEN DONE AND THAT THE PROJECT IS ILLEGAL. WHEW, THAT'S A MOUTHFUL.

WARREN>> THAT IS INDEED. ON MONDAY, WE REPORTED ON UTILITY DEREGULATION IN CALIFORNIA AND HOW ELECTRIC RATES HAVE SKYROCKETED IN SAN DIEGO. IN THAT REPORT, WE PROFILED A WOMAN WHO CHOSE TO UNPLUG FROM SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC AS A FORM OF PROTEST. WE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL FROM MIKE:

"WHY DIDN'T YOU MENTION THAT THE DAILY SUPPLY OF ICE AT $1.00 A BAG, PROPANE AT $2.00 A CAN, CHARCOAL BRIQUETTES AT $1.00 A BAG WOULD ADD UP TO MORE THAN HER 'HIGH' ELECTRICAL BILL?" SOMEBODY ALWAYS KNOWS MORE THAN WE DO.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK OF THE ISSUES THAT WE COVER ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT. HERE ARE THE WAYS YOU CAN REACH US:

LIFEANDTIMES@KCET.ORG
WWW.KCET.ORG.
LIFE & TIMES TONIGHT
4401 SUNSET BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
(323) 953-5555

VAL>> ELECTION SEASON IS ABOUT TO KICK INTO HIGH GEAR WITH THE TWO MAJOR CONVENTIONS STARTING SOON. ALTHOUGH MUCH OF THE ACTIVITY WILL BE POLITICS AS USUAL, THIS YEAR THE COMMERCIAL BROADCAST TELEVISION NETWORKS ARE OPTING NOT TO COVER MUCH OF THE PROCEEDINGS.

WARREN>> AND WE ARE OF THE EXCEPTION THAT THAT, THOUGH, IS WHERE THE NEWEST TECHNOLOGY STEPS IN, EVEN NEWER THAN OURS. FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CONVENTIONS ARE BEING PLAYED LIVE IN THEIR ENTIRETY ON THE INTERNET. WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST IN CYBERSPACE IN TONIGHT'S PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS.

INTERNET TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN WORKING FURIOUSLY TO WIRE THE CONVENTION SITES SO THAT COMPUTER USERS AROUND THE WORLD CAN BE PLUGGED IN TO THE LATEST POLITICAL ACTION. THESE WEBCASTS WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE JUST FOUR YEARS AGO, BUT THE TECHNOLOGY HAS PROGRESSED SO RAPIDLY THAT THE WEB NOW IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE CONVENTION.

VAL>> AND JOINING US WITH MORE IS STEVEN CHESTER. HE IS PRESIDENT OF IXL-LIVE. NOW THAT IS THE COMPANY THAT WILL BE HANDLING THE WEBCAST OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION RIGHT HERE IN LOS ANGELES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

STEVEN CHESTER>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

VAL>> NOW THE KEY TO ALL OF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE HOLDING RIGHT IN YOUR HAND. TELL US WHAT THAT IS.

STEVEN CHESTER>> THIS IS A CAMERA FROM A COMPANY CALLED BE HERE. WHAT IT IS IS A CAMERA. THERE ARE GOING TO BE FOUR OF THESE AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION TO PROVIDE A 360 DEGREE VIEW, SO WHAT IT DOES --

WARREN>> WAIT A MINUTE. THAT'S A TINY LITTLE THING. THAT'S NOT ONLY A CAMERA, IT'S A CAMERA THAT PROVIDES A 360 DEGREE VIEW? WE'LL GET ANOTHER TIGHT SHOT OF IT. SHOW US WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. WHERE'S THE LENS?

STEVEN CHESTER>> THE LENS IS ACTUALLY UP HERE AND IT LOOKS 360 DEGREES. WHAT IT IS, THERE'S A MIRROR UP HERE SO WHAT IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO DO IS LOG ON TO THE SITE, TO CLICK ONTO THE CAMERA AND TO ACTUALLY BECOME THEIR OWN DIRECTOR, FOLLOWING WHERE THE ACTION'S GOING, THE DELEGATES AND THE MEDIA.

VAL>> HOW CAN THEY BE THEIR OWN DIRECTOR? DON'T YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE CAMERA LOOKS AT?

STEVEN CHESTER>> WHAT'S INTERESTING IS, WHAT IT DOES, IT'S ACTUALLY SEEING 360 DEGREES AT ONE TIME. SO WHEN AN END USER CLICKS ON IT, WHAT THEY'RE SEEING IS ONE DEGREE OF THAT AND THEN THEY'RE SCANNING AROUND. SO WHAT IT ALLOWS, BASICALLY, ANYBODY TO DO IS TO LOG ON AND SEE WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE VERSUS WHAT ANYBODY ELSE IS SEEING, SO YOU BECOME YOUR OWN DIRECTOR.

WARREN>> THERE ARE FOUR OF THESE THINGS AROUND IN THE CONVENTION HALL AND YOU CAN CHOOSE ONE OF THOSE FOUR AND THEN, WITHIN THAT SELECTION, YOU CAN DO THIS MOVING AROUND?

STEVEN CHESTER>> PANNING AND TILTING, AND ZOOMING IN AND ZOOMING OUT. SO WHAT IT REALLY DOES IS, IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO --

WARREN>> -- ZOOMING IN AND ZOOMING OUT?

STEVEN CHESTER>> ZOOMING IN AND ZOOMING OUT AS WELL.

WARREN>> SO IF YOU WANT TO ZERO IN ON THAT PERSON --

STEVEN CHESTER>> -- HARD TO BELIEVE.

WARREN>> -- SITTING THERE IN THE THIRD ROW OF THE CALIFORNIA DELEGATION FALLING ASLEEP, EVEN THOUGH HE'S THE GOVERNOR OR --

STEVEN CHESTER>> EXACTLY. IT'S GOING TO KEEP THEM ALL ON THEIR TOES, I GUESS.

WARREN>> NOW YOU CAN'T, OF COURSE, CHANGE THE SOUND. YOU DON'T HAVE A DIRECTIONAL MICROPHONE.

STEVEN CHESTER>> NO, THERE'S NOT A DIRECTIONAL MIKE. YOU BASICALLY JUST PICK UP THE AMBIANCE SOUND.

VAL>> AND WILL WE BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE PODIUM, THE SPEECHES AND ALL?

STEVEN CHESTER>> YEAH, I MEAN, THE IDEA OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IS BASICALLY WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IMMERSION CONVENTION. WHAT IT'S GOING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO DO IS PARTICIPATE. SO WHAT WE HAVE IS, WHEN SOMEONE COMES OFF THE PODIUM, THE FIRST PLACE THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO IS THE DEMS2000 STAGE AND THEY WILL BE INTERVIEWED THERE. THAT'S WHEN BASICALLY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO POSE QUESTIONS TO WHOEVER'S COMING OFF. SO THE BASIC FEELING IS LIKE A TOWN HALL ENVIRONMENT WHERE QUESTIONS CAN BE ASKED AND THE DELEGATES ANSWER.

WARREN>> AND YOU TYPE YOUR QUESTIONS IN AS YOU NORMALLY DO?

STEVEN CHESTER>> EXACTLY, LIKE WHEN YOUR CHATTING.

WARREN>> WHO SELECTS THE QUESTIONS?

STEVEN CHESTER>> WE HAVE A MODERATOR AND THERE WILL BE MANY MODERATORS, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND.

WARREN>> NOW ARE THEY PAID BY THE CONVENTION? ARE THEY GOING TO ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT --

STEVEN CHESTER>> I WOULD HOPE SO, I WOULD HOPE SO. YES, OF COURSE.

WARREN>> OKAY, SO THEY'RE NOT JOURNALISTS, THEY'RE NOT -- THEY'RE NOT REPUBLICANS.

STEVEN CHESTER>> THEY'RE ACTUALLY -- THEY'RE DEFINITELY NOT REPUBLICANS. THEY ARE BASICALLY MODERATORS THAT MODERATE A LOT OF SHOWS FOR US AND SO THEY BASICALLY KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THE TRAFFIC OF QUESTIONS THAT ARE COMING IN AND POST THE MOST INTERESTING ONES.

VAL>> BUT I WANT TO BACK UP JUST A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THE CAMERA IS, BUT NOW WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE CAMERA CAN ACTUALLY PRODUCE. THIS IS A SAMPLE TAPE OF -- SO THIS -- I'M A COMPUTER USER, I CLICK ON THE SITE, THAT LOOKS LIKE THE STAPLES CENTER --

WARREN>> -- THERE'S THE CONVENTION CENTER.

STEVEN CHESTER>> EXACTLY. SO NOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IS, THE USER IS TURNING THE CAMERA AROUND. NOW IF ANOTHER USER WAS ON, THEY COULD BE GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT ANGLE.

VAL>> WITH NO CONFLICT AT ALL?

STEVEN CHESTER>> EXACTLY. SO NOW WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TILTING DOWN AND NOW WE'RE PANNING TOWARD THE RIGHT --

VAL>> -- AND OBVIOUSLY WHEN THE CONVENTION'S HAPPENING, THIS IS GOING TO BE FULL OF PEOPLE AND NOISE AND --

STEVEN CHESTER>> EXACTLY.

WARREN>> NOW WE'RE LOOKING KIND OF IN THE BACK --

VAL>> -- OH, THAT'S ONE OF THOSE LUXURY SKY BOXES.

WARREN>> IS THAT WHAT THAT IS?

STEVEN CHESTER>> YES, THAT'S A LUXURY BOOTH THERE.

WARREN>> WHO'S GOING TO BE IN THERE OR DO WE -- WE'LL FIND OUT.

STEVEN CHESTER>> WE'LL FIND OUT, AND THE END USER WILL BE ABLE TO FIND OUT.

WARREN>> THIS IS EAVESDROPPING.

STEVEN CHESTER>> EXACTLY.

VAL>> THIS IS. I MEAN, EVERYONE HAS TO BEWARE. I'M SERIOUS. THEY HAVE TO BE ON GOOD BEHAVIOR --

STEVEN CHESTER>> EXACTLY, VERY GOOD BEHAVIOR. AND WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT IT IS IT'S GOING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE, TO GO INTO THE GREEN ROOM, FOR EXAMPLE. THERE WILL BE CAMERAS IN THE GREEN ROOM. THERE'S GOING TO BE LIKE THIS OFF-SITE FOOTAGE. SO WHAT HAPPENS IS, PEOPLE CAN GO, IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN REALLY FINDING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON, THEY CAN PARTICIPATE AS THOUGH THEY WERE THERE. THEY'RE CALLING IT LIKE A VIRTUAL CONVENTION.

WARREN>> YOU COULDN'T BE IN CAUCUS ALL THE TIME. THE CALIFORNIA DELEGATION HAS A CAUCUS OR THE BLACK REPUBLICANS HAVE A CAUCUS OR WHATEVER, YOU'LL HAVE CAMERAS IN THOSE PLACES TOO?

STEVEN CHESTER>> YES. WHAT WE HAVE IS A STRATEGY BASICALLY TO COVER ALL THE EVENTS. I MEAN, OUR IDEA WAS TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND TO PROVIDE TRULY UNIQUE COVERAGE THAT'S NEVER BEEN BROADCAST BEFORE.

WARREN>> BUT YOU'RE DOING THIS, AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SO IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO SEE THE SHADOW CONVENTION THAT ARIANNA HUFFINGTON IS PUTTING ON OR SEE THE DEMONSTRATIONS ON THE STREET, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK SOMEPLACE ELSE.

STEVEN CHESTER>> EXACTLY.

VAL>> WOW, THAT IS AMAZING. NOW DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS IS REVOLUTIONARY? YOU KNOW, HOW TELEVISION CHANGED POLITICS, DO YOU THINK THE INTERNET IS GOING TO CHANGE POLITICS?

STEVEN CHESTER>> WELL, I THINK WHAT'S REVOLUTIONARY ABOUT IT IS THE -- IF YOU GO TO CBS OR NBC OR ABC, YOU SEE ONE VIEWPOINT. WHAT'S UNIQUE AND HISTORICAL ABOUT THIS IS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, PEOPLE CAN COME ON LINE AND CAN FIND OUT WHAT THEY WANT TO FIND OUT. THEY CAN GO FOR THEIR POINT OF VIEW AND THE INFORMATION THAT'S INTERESTING TO THEM. TO ME, THAT'S HISTORICAL AND IT'S TRULY UNIQUE.

VAL>> AND WE SHOULD SAY THE REPUBLICANS ARE ALSO DOING IT, WITH A DIFFERENT COMPANY, BUT EVERYONE'S GETTING ON THE BANDWAGON.

WARREN>> WHAT OTHER KINDS OF EVENTS WOULD THIS THING, FOR EXAMPLE, LEND ITSELF TO? THIS JUST BLOWS ME AWAY.

STEVEN CHESTER>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS -- RIGHT NOW, THIS IS BEING USED AT A LOT OF CONCERTS. FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE PUT THIS BACKSTAGE AND IT WAS SET UP LIKE ON BOTH ENDS OF THE STAGE, YOU COULD ACTUALLY WATCH THE BANDS AS THEY'RE PREPPING TO GO ON STAGE AND YOU COULD FOLLOW LIKE WHERE THEY'RE GOING AND YOU COULD SEE WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS WHEN A ROCK CONCERT IS BEING PRODUCED.

VAL>> THIS IS LIKE BIG BROTHER EVERYWHERE.

WARREN>> AND THIS IS THE FUTURE.

STEVEN CHESTER>> THINGS ARE CHANGING.

VAL>> WELL, YOU CAN CHECK THE WEB SITES ON YOUR SCREEN FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONVENTIONS AND THEIR WEBCASTS. WE SHOULD MENTION, WHAT'S THE WEBSITE?

STEVEN CHESTER>> IT'S CALLED WWW.DEMS2000.COM.

VAL>> DEMS2000.COM. THAT'S HOW YOU CAN TUNE IN TO WHAT THIS CAMERA IS DOING.

WARREN>> OKAY, AND ALWAYS WEAR YOUR MAKEUP.

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP MONDAY ON WHICH WAY LA, MAJOR PARTY CONVENTIONS USED TO DISCUSS AND DEBATE. NOW, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN SEE THEM ON THE WEBCAM, THEY DARE TO BE DULL. HAS REAL POLITICAL SUBSTANCE MOVED TO SHADOW CONVENTIONS AND THEATERS ON THE STREET? THAT'S MONDAY.

KCRW 89.9 FM, WHICH WAY LA
WEEKDAYS FROM 1-2 P.M.
REBROADCAST AT 7:00 P.M.

VAL>> FOR ALL OF US HERE AT LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT, THANKS FOR WATCHING. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND. TAKE CARE.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS:

THE JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION
WHICH IS DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFORMED CALIFORNIA CITIZENRY.

AND THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION
DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

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