11/21/02

LC021121

VAL ZAVALA>> TONIGHT ON LIFE AND TIMES --

JESS MARLOW>> MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE ONE CHILD AT A TIME. FOR MANY, IT MEANS UNLOCKING THE DOOR TO A COLLEGE EDUCATION.

NANCY RUIZ>> IF YOU WANT TO BE A SCIENTIST, THEY CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO BE A SCIENTIST. IF YOU WANT TO BE AN ARCHAEOLOGIST, THEY CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO BE AN ARCHAEOLOGIST. IF YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER, THEY CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO BE A TEACHER.

VAL>> SIXTEEN L.A. HOMICIDES IN JUST SIX DAYS. IT’S ENOUGH TO RIVAL THE VIOLENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE HEAT IS ON THE CITY’S NEW POLICE CHIEF. CAN HE STOP THE LATEST SURGE OF DEADLY GANG VIOLENCE WITHOUT RESORTING TO LAPD’S OLD TRICKS?

JESS>> AND THEN PATT MORRISON PONDERS WHAT AMERICA STANDS TO GAIN AND LOSE WITH THE NEW AGENCY DEDICATED TO HOMELAND SECURITY.

PATT MORRISON>> THAT HOMELAND SECURITY ACT. I DON’T KNOW WHAT HOMELAND THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT IT SURE DOESN’T SOUND LIKE AMERICA -- ON TONIGHT’S INFINITELY MORRISON.

VAL>> PLUS, MY ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION WITH OSCAR-WINNER, MICHAEL CAINE. HIS LATEST MOVIE LOOKS AT VIETNAM BEFORE THE WAR. TONIGHT THE ACTOR GIVES US A PREVIEW AND LOOKS BACK OVER A CAREER THAT SPANS MORE THAN A HUNDRED FILMS.

JESS>> THESE STORIES COMING UP NEXT ON TONIGHT’S LIFE AND TIMES.

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

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.

AND THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT
THE STATE'S LARGEST HEALTH FOUNDATION SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CALIFORNIA'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT, A PARTNER FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.

VAL>> GOOD EVENING, I’M VAL ZAVALA.

JESS>> AND I’M JESS MARLOW. WE’VE ALL HEARD PLENTY OF STORIES ABOUT CALIFORNIA’S TROUBLED PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HOW SO MANY YOUNGSTERS ARE AT A DEAD-END, BUT TONIGHT A DIFFERENT KIND OF STORY THAT OFFERS CAUSE FOR HOPE. IT’S ALL ABOUT MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE.

VAL>> YOU’RE ABOUT TO MEET SOME SECOND GRADERS WHO’VE ALREADY STARTED TALKING ABOUT COLLEGE AND THEY’LL GET THERE, THANKS TO A SMALL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT’S HAVING A BIG IMPACT ON SOME OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S POOREST NEIGHBORHOODS. IN THIS EAST L.A. NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR COUNTY USC, INCOMES ARE LOW, CRIME IS HIGH AND A CHILD’S CHANCE OF GETTING A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE IS ABOUT ONE IN TWENTY. BUT AT MURCHISON ELEMENTARY, ONE PROGRAM IS IMPROVING THOSE ODDS. IT’S CALLED “I HAVE A DREAM”.

THESE SECOND GRADERS ARE PART OF THE “I HAVE A DREAM” PROGRAM. IF ANY OF THEM OR THEIR 140 CLASSMATES GETS ADMITTED TO COLLEGE, THEY’LL HAVE AN AUTOMATIC $8,000 SCHOLARSHIP WAITING FOR THEM. BUT THE CHALLENGE WILL BE GETTING THEM QUALIFIED FOR COLLEGE AND, TO DO THAT, “I HAVE A DREAM” PLACES FULL-TIME PROJECT COORDINATORS AT THE SCHOOL TO HELP THE CHILDREN’S DREAMS MATERIALIZE.

>> I WANT TO BE AN ARCHAEOLOGIST SO I CAN FIND DINOSAURS.

VAL>> ELDA VALLECILLOS IS THE PROJECT COORDINATOR ASSIGNED TO MURCHISON. SHE’LL COME TO KNOW THESE CHILDREN VERY WELL OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

ELDA VALLECILLOS>> WE’RE DEFINITELY PROMOTING COLLEGE. EVEN NOW IN THE SECOND GRADE, WE’RE PROMOTING COLLEGE. YOU KNOW, INSTEAD OF SAYING CHEESE, WE SAY COLLEGE (LAUGHTER).

VAL>> PROJECT COORDINATOR IS A MISNOMER. SHE’S REALLY MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

ELDA VALLECILLOS>> WE DO A LOT OF SOCIAL WORK TYPE OF JOBS. WE WEAR A LOT OF HATS EVERY DAY. WE HAVE TO BE FRIENDS, WE HAVE TO BE SURROGATE PARENTS, WE HAVE TO GO OUT INTO THE HOMES. WE MIGHT GET A PHONE CALL AT THREE O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING BECAUSE MAYBE A FAMILY GOT KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOME FOR WHATEVER REASON. WE DEAL WITH A LOT OF OTHER DYNAMICS.

VAL>> ONE OF ELDA’S BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THE HEAVY INFLUENCE OF GANGS FROM A NEARBY HOUSING PROJECT.

ELDA VALLECILLOS>> A LOT OF OUR KIDS PROBABLY COME FROM SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION OF GANG INVOLVEMENT AND, ALTHOUGH YOU CAN’T REALLY SEE IT BECAUSE THEY’RE CHILDREN, BUT HALF OF THE TIME WHEN THEY GO HOME, THEY’RE BEING EXPOSED TO THAT.

VAL>> IF YOU ASK THESE CHILDREN WHAT THE DREAM PROGRAM MEANS TO THEM, THEY’LL TELL YOU ABOUT THE HELP THEY GET WITH THEIR HOMEWORK OR THE FIELD TRIPS THEY GET TO GO ON. THEY ARE ONLY BEGINNING TO GRASP THE LARGER GOAL.

DAISY BARRIOS>> THEY CAN HELP YOU THERE. THEY CAN GIVE YOU THE MONEY SO YOU CAN GO TO COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY --

VAL>> -- DO YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT COLLEGE IS?

NANCY RUIZ>> IT’S ABOUT LEARNING. IF YOU WANT TO BE A SCIENTIST, THEY COULD SHOW YOU HOW TO BE A SCIENTIST. IF YOU WANT TO BE AN ARCHAEOLOGIST, THEY COULD SHOW YOU HOW TO BE AN ARCHAEOLOGIST. IF YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER, THEY COULD SHOW YOU HOW TO BE A TEACHER. IF YOU WANT TO BE --

VAL>> -- WELL, SHE GETS THE IDEA. AND THEY’RE ALSO BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT COLLEGE IS EXPENSIVE.

VAL>> BUT IT COSTS A LOT TO GO TO COLLEGE, DOESN’T IT?

>> LIKE $1,000 DOLLARS.

VAL>> HOW MUCH?

>> LIKE $100.

VAL>> HOW MUCH?

>> $800.

VAL>> HAVE ANY OF YOU EVER VISITED A COLLEGE? IT’S BIG. IT’S LIKE A LITTLE TINY CITY.

NANCY RUIZ>> MY COUSIN SHE WENT TO COLLEGE WITH MY DAD AND SHE SAW COLLEGE AND SHE TOLD ME IT WAS VERY HUGE. I TOLD HER HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO PAY AND SHE SAY STUFF LIKE MORE MONEY THAN A DOLLAR AND THEN --

VAL>> -- WELL, SHE GETS THE IDEA. A RECENT STUDY REVEALS THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS TO LATINOS GOING TO COLLEGE IS THEIR PARENTS’ LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. THE TOMAS RIVERA INSTITUTE FOUND THAT SIXTY-TWO PERCENT OF LATINO PARENTS LACK COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE, BASIC FACTS ON SAT TESTS, FINANCIAL AID, APPLICATIONS AND THE LIKE.

ELDA VALLECILLOS>> ONE OF OUR MAIN GOALS AS A PROJECT IS TO EDUCATE THE PARENTS HOW TO FILL OUT ALL THESE APPLICATIONS, COLLEGE APS, VISIT COLLEGES WITH THE STUDENTS, TAKE THEM ON CAMPUS ON FIELD TRIPS WITH THESE STUDENTS.

VAL>> BUT DOES THE DREAM PROGRAM WORK? DOMINIC ROBINSON AND ANTHONY ADAMS WERE THIRD GRADERS AT GROVER CLEVELAND ELEMENTARY IN PASADENA WHEN THEIR CLASS WAS ADOPTED BY “I HAVE A DREAM”. TODAY THESE COUSINS ARE SOPHOMORES AT CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE.

ANTHONY ADAMS>> I REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE HAVING THIS BIG OLD CEREMONY FOR US AND THEY SENT LETTERS TO ALL OF OUR PARENTS AND WE WEREN’T SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS BIG OLD SECRET. YOU KNOW, WE HEARD THIS RUMOR THAT, YOU KNOW, WE’RE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING ALL THIS MONEY FOR COLLEGE OR WHATNOT.

VAL>> ANTHONY SAYS HE WAS VERY STRESSED IN HIS SENIOR YEAR AND WAS GOING TO SETTLE FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE, BUT HIS PROJECT COORDINATOR PRESSED HIM TO APPLY TO CSUN. IT’S THE PROJECT COORDINATORS THAT KEEP THESE KIDS ON TRACK.

ANTHONY ADAMS>> THEY WERE IN OUR CLASSES. YOU KNOW, THEY CHECKED UP ON EVERY GRADING PERIOD. THEY CHECKED UP ON US. I MEAN, THEY WERE CALLING HOME, CONFERENCES. I MEAN, IT WAS TEACHER, PROJECT COORDINATOR, PARENTS.

DOMINIC ROBINSON>> IF ANY OF US GOT INTO TROUBLE OR ANY PHYSICAL ALTERCATIONS, THEY’D BE THERE TO HELP US OUT AND SHOW US THE RIGHT WAY AND TEACH US WHAT’S RIGHT AND WRONG.

VAL>> DOMINIC AND ANTHONY ARE ON THEIR WAY. DOMINIC IS INTERESTED IN ARTS, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS. ANTHONY WOULD LIKE TO WORK IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS OR JOURNALISM.

IDEALLY, THESE CHILDREN WILL BE SUCCESS STORIES AS WELL. THERE IS CERTAINLY NO SHORTAGE OF AMBITION. NANCY’S DREAM IS TO BE A SCIENTIST.

NANCY RUIZ>> YOU LOOK IN THE SKY IN THE NIGHT WITH A MICROSCOPE AND YOU CAN DISCOVER WHAT’S OVER THERE AND YOU COULD SEE STARS AND YOU COULD THE MOON AND YOU COULD SEE THE SUN AND YOU COULD SEE THE --

VAL>> ELDA HAS HIGH HOPES FOR THESE CHILDREN AND WITH GOOD REASON. SHE HERSELF WAS A DREAMER.

ELDA VALLECILLOS>> I DEFINITELY BELIEVE IN IT AND THAT’S WHY I’M HERE WITH THESE KIDS BECAUSE, IF IT WORKED FOR ME, I DEFINITELY KNOW THAT IT CAN WORK FOR THEM.

JESS>> THESE SECOND GRADERS, THAT’S A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT IF YOU’RE GOING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THEM ALL THE WAY TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE.

VAL>> I THINK THAT’S ONE OF THE DISTINCTIONS IN THIS PROGRAM. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PROGRAMS OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO POORER KIDS IF THEY MAKE IT TO COLLEGE, BUT THIS IS A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT. TEN YEARS TO IMPROVE THOSE CHILDREN’S CHANCES OF QUALIFYING FOR COLLEGE AND BEING ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP.

JESS>> HOW IS IT FUNDED?

VAL>> ACTUALLY, WHENEVER YOU ADOPT A CLASS, THEY ACTUALLY LOOK FOR A SINGLE PHILANTHROPIST WHO IS WILLING TO PICK UP THE COSTS OF THE PROJECT COORDINATOR, THE FIELD TRIPS, AS WELL AS THE SCHOLARSHIPS. AND WE SHOULD MENTION THAT THE WHITTIER FOUNDATION HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN SEVEN OF THESE PROJECTS FOR ADOPTIONS AND, OF COURSE, THEY’RE ALSO A FUNDER OF LIFE AND TIMES. I WANTED TO MENTION THAT.

JESS>> HOW WIDESPREAD IS THE PROGRAM?

VAL>> IT’S RELATIVELY SMALL IN THE SENSE THAT IT’S BEEN AROUND FOR FIFTEEN YEARS, WHICH IS FINE, BUT THERE ARE ABOUT EIGHT HUNDRED KIDS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH IT, SO IT’S NOT BIG. ON THE OTHER HAND, IN ONE CLASS, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAD EIGHTY-THREE STUDENTS AND ABOUT FORTY PERCENT OF THEM ENDED UP IN SECOND AND FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES.

JESS>> THAT’S TERRIFIC. THANKS, VAL.

TOMORROW ON LIFE AND TIMES, THEY DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE BIG ONE TO HIT. RESIDENTS OF ONE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD SAY THEIR HOMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN WRECKED BY AN ACTIVE FAULT LINE.

>> I FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE HOMEOWNERS HERE WERE SET UP AND, YOU KNOW, THEY SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN. THAT’S NOT WHAT GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT, IN MY MIND.

JESS>> IT’S A SHOCK EVEN IN A CITY ACCUSTOMED TO VIOLENCE. SIXTEEN MURDERS IN JUST SIX DAYS. MOST OF THOSE KILLINGS ARE BELIEVED TO BE GANG-RELATED AND L.A.’S NEW POLICE CHIEF IS ANGRY.

VAL>> BILL BRATTON HAS VOWED TO CRACK DOWN ON THE GANGS, ESPECIALLY THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECENT BLOODBATH IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES, BUT HOW CAN BRATTON GET TOUGH AND STILL PREVENT THE LAPD FROM RESORTING TO SOME OF ITS OLD ABUSIVE PRACTICES? TONIGHT WE PUT THAT QUESTION TO AN EXPERT ON L.A.’S POLICE, PROFESSOR RAF SONENSHEIN FROM CAL STATE FULLERTON.

JESS>> RAF, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND I SEE YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU WILLIAM BRATTON’S BOOK, “TURNAROUND” SUBTITLED “HOW AMERICA’S TOP COP REVERSED THE CRIME EPIDEMIC”. CAN HE PERFORM THE SAME IN LOS ANGELES AS HE DID IN NEW YORK?

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> WELL, THIS IS A GUY WHO HAS TO DELIVER ON WHAT HE SAYS. HE REMINDS ME A LITTLE BIT OF REGGIE JACKSON. ONE OF HIS YANKEE TEAMMATES ONCE SAID, “REGGIE’S GOT A BIG MOUTH, BUT HE CAN BACK IT UP.” I THINK THE QUESTION IS, CAN BRATTON BACK IT UP? THERE’S A LOT RIDING ON THIS RIGHT NOW. THE FUTURE OF THE MAYOR, THE FUTURE OF THE CITY’S ABILITY TO KEEP CRIME DOWN. IF ANYBODY CAN DO IT, IT WOULD APPEAR BY THE RECORD THIS GUY CAN DO IT.

VAL>> HE’S SPEAKING PRETTY CANDIDLY IN THE WAKE OF THIS RASH OF KILLINGS, MOST OF WHICH WERE GANG-RELATED. HE CALLED GANGBANGERS, WHAT, NITWITS WHO DON’T HAVE THE SAME VALUE SYSTEM AS THE REST OF US AND SO FORTH. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT KIND OF RHETORIC?

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> WELL, IT’S OF A PIECE WITH HIS BACKGROUND. WHEN HE STARTED IN NEW YORK, HE DID JUST THE SAME THING. THE FIRST THING HE DID WAS ESTABLISH THAT HE’S ON THE SIDE OF THE COPS AND ON THE SIDE OF LAW-ABIDING PEOPLE. HE FELT THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH HOW TO GET THE COPS TO DO WHAT HE WANTED, TO FOLLOW HIS DIRECTION, EVEN AGAINST WHAT THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE PREVIOUSLY. AGAINST THE POLICE CULTURE, HE HAD TO FIRST SHOW THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE BEHIND THEM. AND WHENEVER THERE WAS A CONFRONTATION, HIS FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO TAKE THE SIDE OF THE FORCES OF LAW AND ORDER. I THINK HE’S DOING THAT AS WELL.

JESS>> IT’S AMAZING THAT, IN HIS VERY BRIEF TENURE SO FAR, WE’VE HAD THIS EXPLOSION OF MURDER.

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> WELL, IT DOESN’T NECESSARILY HURT HIS TENURE. IT’S VERY BAD FOR THE CITY, BUT AS YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU COME INTO A NEW SITUATION, IN SOME WAYS, THE WORSE THINGS ARE, THE GREATER IMPACT YOU CAN MAKE. IT HAS ESTABLISHED THAT L.A. HAS A CRIME PROBLEM. THE OTHER THINGS IT’S ESTABLISHED AND IT’S VERY SIGNIFICANT IS THAT IT’S NOT JUST IN THE VALLEY. WHEN HE FIRST CAME IN, EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT CRIME AND MURDER IN THE VALLEY AND IT BECAME “HOW CAN YOU BUY OFF SECESSION?” AND “HOW CAN YOU BUY OFF THE VALLEY?” WELL, THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE WHOLE CITY AND HE’S STARTING IN SOUTH CENTRAL WHICH, OF COURSE, GETS TO THE QUESTION OF CAN YOU POLICE SOUTH CENTRAL LAWFULLY, CONSTITUTIONALLY AND EFFECTIVELY?

VAL>> THAT’S THE NEXT QUESTION, BUT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS BECAUSE THEY’RE INTERESTING. THESE ARE HOMICIDES IN LOS ANGELES. LOOKING BACK IN 1992, TEN YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A WHOPPING 1,092. IT MANAGED TO DROP STEADILY TO A LOW IN 1998 OF 419, NOW IT’S CREEPING BACK UP TO 587 LAST YEAR, 594 THIS YEAR AND THIS YEAR ISN’T EVEN QUITE OVER YET. ARE WE HEADED BACK UP TO THAT ’92 PEAK? THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF.

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> I REALLY DOUBT THAT. SOME OF THAT WAS THE TERRIBLE ECONOMY. THE ECONOMY IS NOT IN GOOD SHAPE NOW, BUT IT WAS IN DREADFUL SHAPE IN 1992.

JESS>> AND THERE IS A DIRECT PARALLEL BETWEEN CRIME AND A POOR ECONOMY?

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> THERE’S AT LEAST SOME. THERE’S ALSO A PARALLEL BETWEEN GOOD POLICING. I THINK THAT ONE THING YOU’LL SEE IS THAT YOU CAN NOW SEE IF THE NEW YORK MODEL WHERE CRIME DECLINED MUCH MORE RAPIDLY THAN YOU’D PREDICT FROM IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ECONOMY. SOME OF IT --

VAL>> -- SO IT WASN’T ALL JUST ECONOMY?

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> IT HAD TO BE GOOD POLICING.

JESS>> AND GET-TOUGH POLICING?

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> GET TOUGH, BUT REALLY I THINK THE KEY TO BRATTON’S APPROACH IS SCIENTIFIC POLICING, WHICH LAPD USED TO HAVE. THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL BILL PARKER THEORY THAT HAD A LOT OF ITS OTHER PROBLEMS THAT WENT WITH THAT, LIKE AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP, BUT IT WAS SCIENTIFIC.

VAL>> SCIENTIFIC POLICING, MEANING?

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> THE USE OF STATISTICS. LAPD IS WAY BEHIND IN THE USE OF STATISTICS. IN THE NEW YORK SITUATION, THEY GATHER STATISTICS ON A REAL-TIME BASIS OF WHERE CRIME IS TAKING PLACE.

JESS>> AND MOVE FORCES THERE TO THAT SPOT?

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> ALL OF WHICH FORCES ARE NOT IN EXISTENCE HERE. I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL BILL BRATTON PRESSES A BUTTON AND SAYS SEND A THOUSAND COPS OVER TO THIS STREET AND FINDS THAT THERE ARE SIX COPS AROUND AND THEY’RE NOT ALL WORKING THAT PARTICULAR DAY. HE’S GOT A REAL MANPOWER PROBLEM. BUT HIS BASIC THEORY ABOUT THE SCIENTIFIC NATURE OF THIS IS THAT YOU CAN FIND WHERE CRIME IS AND GO RIGHT AFTER IT, BUILD UP THE MORALE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS, KEEP RECRUITMENT UP AND MAYBE MAKE A REAL DENT.

VAL>> BUT HERE’S THE BIG CHALLENGE. WE’VE JUST COME OUT OF RAMPART WHERE OFFICERS WERE DIRTY, PLANTING EVIDENCE, SHOOTING UNARMED SUSPECTS. YOU KNOW, RODNEY KING BEATING. I MEAN, OUR POLICE FORCE HAS A HORRIBLE REPUTATION OF ABUSE AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT TENDS TO GO HAND IN HAND WITH POWER AND CRACKDOWN AND GETTING TOUGH.

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> IT SURE DOES. I THINK HE HAS TO PROVE THAT HE’S NOT BRINGING BACK THE DARYL GATES STYLE OF SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES POLICING.

VAL>> CAN THAT BE DONE, THOUGH? CAN YOU LEAD A FORCE TO GET TOUGH, TO CRACK DOWN AND YET STOP -- HOW DO YOU KEEP THE CORRUPTION OUT?

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> FIRST YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE OFFICERS. THERE’S NO QUESTION THE CHIEF HAS TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE OFFICERS. IT HAS TO BE A FAIR DISCIPLINE SYSTEM THAT THEY BELIEVE IN.

JESS>> BUT YOU HAVE TO ENFORCE THAT DISCIPLINE.

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> BUT THEN YOU HAVE TO ENFORCE THAT DISCIPLINE SYSTEM. WE HAVEN’T HAD THAT IN THE PAST AND I THINK WHAT HE’S BASICALLY SAID IS I’M GOING TO BACK YOU ALL THE WAY WHEN YOU’RE DOING THE RIGHT THING AND, WHEN YOU’RE NOT, I’LL TEAR YOUR HEAD OFF. I MEAN, I’LL BRING THE DISCIPLINE SYSTEM ON YOU LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN. NOW HE’S GOING TO HAVE TO PROVE THAT.

THE OTHER THING IS, THE TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PROVE SOMETHING. L.A. HAS ALWAYS HAD THE THEORY THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE A LOT OF OFFICERS AND THEN YOU GIVE THEM A LOT OF DISCRETION AND THAT’S HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKS. I THINK HE WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT TO TAKE A CHANCE AND SAY THERE SHOULD BE A 12,000-PERSON FORCE.

JESS>> ON THIS BROADCAST AS A GUEST, HE WAS VERY FIRM ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CITY HAD SIMPLY NOT PROVIDED THE RESOURCES FOR THE KIND OF POLICE DEPARTMENT NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE.

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> WELL, HE HASN’T YET DEALT WITH THE WEST COAST WHERE PEOPLE DON’T LIKE TO PAY HIGH TAXES, WHERE PUBLIC SERVICES CAN BE AT A SOMEWHAT LOWER LEVEL. HE’S FROM A PART OF THE COUNTRY WHERE TAX RATES ARE A LOT HIGHER. HE’S GOING TO HAVE TO COMPROMISE. HE’S NOT GOING TO GET THE FULL COMPLEMENT THAT HE WANTS, BUT HE’S RIGHT TO SET THAT LIMIT UP THERE AND SAY, LOOK, UNTIL YOU’RE WILLING TO PUT SOMETHING BEHIND THIS, I CAN’T FLOOD AN AREA WITH POLICE OFFICERS. BUT HE’S ALSO THROWN THE DETECTIVES OUT ON THE STREET. IF YOU NOTICE NOW WHEN THERE’S A CRIME, HE’S GOING TO SEND THE DETECTIVES OUT AT THE VERY START. AS SOON AS THE CRIME IS REPORTED, GET SOME PEOPLE OUT FROM BEHIND THE DESKS.

VAL>> RAF SONENSHEIN FROM CAL STATE FULLERTON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN>> IT’S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE. THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

LIFEANDTIMES@KCET.ORG
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LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT
4401 SUNSET BLVD.
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JESS>> HOMELAND SECURITY IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT AMERICA FROM TERRORISTS, BUT PATT SAYS IT’S ENDANGERING TWO OTHER THINGS WE VALUE: OUR WALLETS AND OUR PRIVACY. IT’S TONIGHT’S INFINITELY MORRISON.

PATT MORRISON>> THE HOMELAND SECURITY ACT HAS PASSED THROUGH THE SENATE. NO, SWEPT THROUGH THE SENATE, WITH HARDLY A MURMUR OF DISCORD. PARTS OF IT READ MORE LIKE PORK BARREL POLITICS. ONE EGREGIOUS PROVISION CONCERNS COMPANIES THAT MOVE OFFSHORE TO DO BUSINESS TO AVOID PAYING FEDERAL TAXES. THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO GET A LUCRATIVE PIECE OF THE ANTI-TERRORISM ACTION BY GETTING FEDERAL CONTRACTS. NOW THESE COMPANIES WON’T PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES, BUT YOU CAN BET THEY DON’T MIND FILLING POLITICIANS’ POCKETS WITH CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, AND NOW THEY CAN BE REWARDED WITH FEDERAL CONTRACTS. IS THIS PATRIOTISM? IF THAT’S THE CASE, I’M PACKING MY STARS AND STRIPES AND MOVING TO THE CAYMANS.

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES WOULD BE LARGELY SHIELDED FROM LIABILITY LAWSUITS FOR SOME VACCINES THEY MAKE. NOT ONLY FOR SMALLPOX, WHICH HAS SOME MERIT, BUT FOR VACCINES FOR CHILDHOOD DISEASES LIKE MEASLES AND MUMPS AND RUBELLA. ANOTHER PROVISION WILL FUND A SECURITY RESEARCH CENTER AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, A PROPOSAL BY OUTGOING TEXAS SENATOR, PHIL GRAMM. AND WHO’S RUMORED TO BE IN LINE TO BE OFFERED THE PRESIDENCY OF TEXAS A&M? NONE OTHER THAN PHIL GRAMM. IF IT WALKS LIKE PORK AND IT OINKS LIKE PORK, IT’S PORK. THIS BILL COULD WIN A BLUE RIBBON AT A COUNTY PIG SHOW.

THE PART THAT SHOULD MOST CONCERN INDIVIDUALS IS AN ORWELLIAN CENTRALIZED DATABASE THAT CAN TRACK EVERY TIME YOU MAKE A BANK DEPOSIT, SUBSCRIBE TO A MAGAZINE, VISIT A WEBSITE OR SEND AN E-MAIL. FOR STARTERS, THERE ARE TWO EXEMPTIONS. VIDEOTAPES AND GUNS. NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT VIDEOS YOU RENT BECAUSE, FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, A LAW BANNED IT AFTER A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED THE VIDEO RENTALS OF REAGAN JUDICIAL NOMINEE, ROBERT BORK. AND ATTORNEY GENERAL, JOHN ASHCROFT, DECIDED LAST YEAR NOT TO LET THE FBI CHECK GUN PURCHASE REQUEST RECORDS AGAINST A LIST OF TERRORISM SUSPECTS IN CASE ANY OF THEM HAD BOUGHT GUNS. ASHCROFT OPPOSES KEEPING FEDERAL GUN PURCHASE RECORDS FOR ANY LONGER THAN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS, SO THE GOVERNMENT WON’T KNOW WHETHER A TERRORISM SUSPECT HAS A GUN, BUT IT CAN FIND OUT HOW OFTEN YOU E-MAIL YOUR MOTHER.

THE CAPPER IS THAT THE MAN IN CHARGE OF THIS HUGE INTRUSIVE DATABASE IS JOHN POINDEXTER, RONALD REAGAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER. HE WAS CONVICTED OF FIVE IRAN CONTRA-RELATED FELONIES, CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED ON APPEAL BECAUSE CONGRESS HAD GRANTED HIM IMMUNITY FOR HIS TESTIMONY. ASKED ABOUT THIS, PRESIDENT BUSH RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING POINDEXTER “HAS SERVED OUR NATION VERY WELL.” ALL OF THIS IS COURTESY OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. I DON’T KNOW WHAT HOMELAND THIS PURPORTS TO DEFEND, BUT IT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE THE ONE I GREW UP IN: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

JESS>> AMERICA'S MEMORIES OF VIETNAM USUALLY BEGIN AND END WITH THE WAR THERE, BUT A NEW FILM BASED ON A GRAHAM GREENE NOVEL SHOWS A DIFFERENT SIDE OF VIETNAM WHEN THE FIGHTING THERE WAS SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM.

VAL>> THE STAR OF THE MOVIE IS TWO-TIME OSCAR-WINNER, MICHAEL CAINE. RECENTLY I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH HIM ABOUT HIS NEW FILM AND HIS CAREER THAT ENCOMPASSES MORE THAN A HUNDRED MOTION PICTURES. TONIGHT, ONE-ON-ONE WITH MICHAEL CAINE, BUT FIRST A BRIEF LOOK AT HIS ROLE AS A JOURNALIST IN "THE QUIET AMERICAN".

[FILM CLIP]

VAL>> MICHAEL CAINE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS. WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO THE ROLE OF THOMAS FOWLER IN "THE QUIET AMERICAN"?

MICHAEL CAINE>> THE CHARACTER IS JUST VERY DEEP, VERY WIDE. SOMETIMES THE CHARACTERS ARE WIDE, SOMETIMES THEY'RE DEEP. THIS ONE IS DEEP AND WIDE. THERE'S EVERYTHING THERE. YOU GO THROUGH THE WHOLE GAMUT OF EMOTIONS FROM A TO Z AND THREE-QUARTERS OF THE WAY BACK AGAIN. IT'S A TREMENDOUS CHALLENGE FOR AN ACTOR TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THAT RIGHT, SO --

VAL>> -- HAVE YOU READ THE NOVEL BEFORE OR JUST WHEN YOU --

MICHAEL CAINE>> -- NO, BEFORE. I READ IT YEARS AGO AND I'D EVEN SEEN A PICTURE THAT -- THIS PICTURE WAS MADE BEFORE. I'D EVEN SEEN THAT, BUT THE PICTURE WASN'T VERY GOOD. GRAHAM GREENE HATED IT. BUT I THINK YOU SHOULD REMAKE FLOPS, NOT SUCCESSES. I REMADE A TERRIBLE PICTURE CALLED "BEDTIME STORIES" THAT DAVID NIVEN AND MARLON BRANDO DID AND THAT TURNED OUT TO BE "DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS".

[FILM CLIP]

VAL>> NOW WHERE YOU GREW UP, YOU CAME FROM POVERTY REALLY AND, BY CHOOSING ACTING, IN A SENSE YOU CHOSE POVERTY AS WELL.

MICHAEL CAINE>> WHEN I TOLD MY FATHER I WAS GOING TO BE AN ACTOR, I FELT SURE HE THOUGHT I WAS GAY AND I WAS TELLING HIM I WAS SORT OF COMING OUT (LAUGHTER) AND I WAS STARTING HIM OFF SLOWLY. DAD, I WANT TO BE AN ACTOR AND I COME BACK IN SIX WEEKS AND SAY I HAVE TO PUT A DRESS ON IN THIS PLAY OR SOMETHING (LAUGHTER).

VAL>> IN THE 70'S, YOU REALLY DEFINED THE ROLE OF THE COOL, HIP, BRITISH GUY WITH THE LARGE GLASSES --

[FILM CLIP]

VAL>> -- AND THEN, LO AND BEHOLD, TWENTY YEARS LATER, IN "AUSTIN POWERS" YOU'RE REVIVING THE ROLE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

MICHAEL CAINE>> WELL, I'M THE SORT OF CREATIVE FATHER OF "AUSTIN POWERS" BECAUSE THEY COPIED ALL THAT ERA AND PERIOD OF MY GLASSES, SO I THOUGHT I MIGHT AS WELL PLAY THE REAL FATHER OF HIM, SO I DID. I HAD A LOT OF FUN ON THAT MOVIE. THAT WAS GREAT.

[FILM CLIP]

VAL>> "THE CIDER HOUSE RULES", FOR WHICH YOU WON THE OSCAR. THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL FILM.

MICHAEL CAINE>> NOW THERE'S A FILM -- IN ENGLAND, I MADE, "ALFIE" AND ALL THESE, GUYS COME UP TO ME WITH QUOTES FROM THEM. IN AMERICA, THE QUOTE THEY COME UP WITH IS "GOODNIGHT, YOU PRINCES OF MAINE, YOU KINGS OF NEW ENGLAND". IT'S WHAT I SAY TO MY SONS BEFORE THEY GO TO SLEEP.

VAL>> WHEN YOU WON THE OSCAR FOR "THE CIDER HOUSE RULES", HOW MUCH DID THAT MEAN TO YOU? I MEAN, YOU HAD DONE ALL THESE MOVIES, YOU HAD ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH. DID YOU FEEL LIKE, WELL, I ACCOMPLISHED AND IT WAS NICE, BUT IT DIDN'T MEAN A LOT TO YOU OR --

MICHAEL CAINE>> -- OH, NO, NO.

VAL>> WHAT'S IT LIKE TO WIN?

MICHAEL CAINE>> THE OSCAR IS TOO DIFFICULT A THING TO WIN (LAUGHTER). THE COMPETITION CAN BE -- I THINK, IF YOU WANT TO LEAD A PLEASURABLE LIFE, YOU MUST NEVER GET CYNICAL ABOUT THINGS. IT'S WHAT I TEACH MY CHILDREN. I HAVEN'T BECOME CYNIC ENOUGH TO THINK, OH, THE OSCAR AND EVERYTHING. I OFTEN SEE ACTORS SAYING I USE IT AS A DOORSTOP AND I THINK WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE YOUR NAME OFF THE LIST WHEN THEY SAID YOU WERE GOING TO BE NOMINATED?

VAL>> IF IT MEANT SO LITTLE.

MICHAEL CAINE>> IF IT MEANT SO LITTLE. LEAVE A CHANCE TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO WANTS IT.

VAL>> BUT HOW DO YOU KEEP FROM GETTING CYNICAL?

MICHAEL CAINE>> YOU TAKE NO NOTICE OF THE NEGATIVE PEOPLE AROUND YOU. GET RID OF THE NEGATIVES AROUND YOU, ANYTHING NEGATIVE, AND CERTAINLY DON'T LISTEN TO NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU WILL FIND, AS YOU GET OLDER, THAT ALL THOSE THINGS YOU WERE WORRIED ABOUT, IT'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT. THERE ARE ALL THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE NOW GOING "WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?" IT'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT. IT WORKS ITSELF OUT. IN EVERY NEGATIVE SITUATION, YOU SHOULD LOOK TO USE THE DIFFICULTY. IF SOMETHING IS DIFFICULT IN YOUR LIFE -- I SOUND LIKE DR. PHIL OR SOMEONE SITTING HERE (LAUGHTER). IF SOMETHING IS DIFFICULT -- NOTHING IS SO DIFFICULT IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU CANNOT FIND SOMETHING POSITIVE WITHIN IT.

I'LL TELL YOU WHERE IT CAME FROM. I WAS REHEARSING A PLAY WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG AND THEY WERE ADLIBBING ON STAGE. I HAD TO COME IN AND TWO PEOPLE, HUSBAND AND WIFE, WERE ADLIBBING. THEY HAD A ROW AND HE ADLIBBED AND THREW A CHAIR AND IT LANDED IN FRONT OF THIS DOOR AND I COULDN'T GET IN. SO I SAID TO THE DIRECTOR -- IT WAS A REHEARSAL -- I SAID, "I'M SORRY, SIR, I CAN'T GET IN. THE CHAIR HAS GONE IN FRONT OF THE DOOR." HE SAID, "USE THE DIFFICULTY." I SAID, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" HE SAID, "WELL, IF IT'S A COMEDY, FALL OVER IT. IF IT'S A DRAMA, PICK IT UP AND SMASH IT." THAT'S WHERE "USE THE DIFFICULTY" CAME FROM AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WITH YOUR LIFE. IF IT'S A COMEDY, FALL OVER IT. IF IT'S A DRAMA, PICK IT UP AND SMASH IT.

VAL>> AND WHAT IS LIFE? COMEDY OR DRAMA?

MICHAEL CAINE>> EVERYTHING. PEOPLE SAY TO ME, "IS THIS A COMEDY OR A DRAMA?" I SAY, "NO, IT'S REAL LIFE." THERE'S NO SUCH AS A COMEDY AND A DRAMA IN REAL LIFE. SOME DAYS IT'S FUNNY, SOME DAYS IT'S DRAMATIC, SOME DAYS IT'S TRAGIC AND SOME DAYS IT'S STUPID. THAT'S WHAT GOOD MOVIES ARE LIKE.

VAL>> SIR MICHAEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS.

MICHAEL CAINE>> THANK YOU.

JESS>> "THE QUIET AMERICAN" OPENS TOMORROW IN THEATERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

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