5/12/03

LC030512

VAL ZAVALA>> TONIGHT ON LIFE AND TIMES --

JESS MARLOW>> A RENEWED EFFORT TO GET RID OF OUR WORN OUT OR OBSOLETE ELECTRONIC JUNK, BUT WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? THE STATE OR THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE GADGETS?

RANDY LEWIS>> I DREAM ABOUT DEAD COMPUTERS ALL THE TIME AND THE MORE I DREAM ABOUT IT, THE MORE IT FEELS LIKE I’M JUST GETTING OVERWHELMED WITH THESE THINGS, SO THE PROBLEM IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY. IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET BIGGER FROM HERE ON OUT.

VAL>> AND A LEGAL REMEDY FOR A WORLD-CLASS REHAB HOSPITAL, BUT IS THE COST OF KEEPING IT OPEN WORTH THE SACRIFICES OTHERS MAY HAVE TO MAKE?

JESS>> PLUS, A MASTER OF POLITICAL SATIRE WITH A DISTINCTIVE CHICANO FLAIR.

VAL>> IT’S ALL STRAIGHT AHEAD ON TONIGHT’S LIFE AND TIMES.

LIFE AND TIMES 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>> DANGEROUS ELECTRONIC LEFTOVERS.

JESS>> AND JUST TRY TO FIND AN EASY WAY TO GET RID OF THEM. OUTDATED COMPUTERS AND OLD TELEVISION SETS OFTEN CONTAIN LEAD AND MERCURY AND IT’S ILLEGAL FOR LANDFILLS TO ACCEPT THEM. THAT’S WHY STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING A NEW BILL THAT WOULD PUT THE BURDEN OF DISPOSAL ON THE BACKS OF COMPUTER COMPANIES AND OTHERS WHO MAKE THE DEVICES. AS PHILIP BRUCE REPORTS, THE JUNK IS CALLED E-WASTE AND IT’S STACKING UP FAST.

PHILIP BRUCE>> STEPHANIE BOWEN FINDS IT HARD TO BELIEVE THE COMPUTER SHE BOUGHT JUST A FEW YEARS AGO IS ALREADY OBSOLETE. LIKE MANY PEOPLE, SHE RECENTLY REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE, BUT THAT CREATED A BRAND NEW PROBLEM. WHAT TO DO WITH THE OLD COMPUTER?

STEPHANIE BOWEN>> I DIDN'T WANT IT ANYMORE. I WANTED A NEW ONE, AND I WASN'T GOING TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

PHILIP BRUCE>> STEPHANIE'S PROBLEM IS ONE A GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE FACING EVERY DAY. FINDING A PLACE TO DISPOSE OF THEIR OUTDATED GADGETS AND GIZMOS. THOSE DEVICES EVEN HAVE A NAME: ELECTRONIC WASTE, OR E-WASTE FOR SHORT.

STEPHANIE BOWEN>> IT'S JUST LIKE ANY APPLIANCE, REALLY. A TOASTER OF MINE JUST BROKE AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT DID I DO? I THREW IT IN THE TRASH CAN. WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?

PHILIP BRUCE>> THE TRASH CAN ISN'T A GOOD PLACE FOR AN OLD COMPUTER. AS MUCH AS YOU MAY HAVE LOVED IT WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW, A DISCARDED PC IS REGARDED AS HAZARDOUS WASTE MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE MATERIALS FOUND IN COMPUTER MONITORS AND TV'S. ACROSS CALIFORNIA, IT'S ILLEGAL TO DUMP E-WASTE IN A LANDFILL WHERE TOXINS CAN LEACH INTO THE SOIL.

GARY PETERSEN>> WE KNOW THAT FORTY PERCENT NOW OF LEAD IN LANDFILLS COMES FROM SCREENS.

PHILIP BRUCE>> GARY PETERSEN RUNS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM SOLVING ENTERPRISES. HE WAS A PIONEER IN THE RECYCLING BUSINESS AND NOW HE'S TRYING TO KEEP THE MOUNTAINS OF OLD COMPUTERS AND E-WASTE FROM WINDING UP IN THE TRASH BIN.

GARY PETERSEN>> THE IDEA OF PUTTING IT IN THE LANDFILL IS NUTS, SO YOU'VE GOT IT AT HOME IN STORAGE. YOU'VE GOT IT IN YOUR BASEMENT, YOU KNOW. SOME YOUNG LAD WITH A BASEBALL BAT -- BOOM -- BUMPS THE SCREEN. I MEAN, THIS IS HAZARDOUS WASTE MATERIAL.

PHILIP BRUCE>> ABOUT 10,000 TELEVISIONS AND MONITORS ARE THROWN AWAY IN CALIFORNIA EVERY DAY AND THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED SIX MILLION OLD UNITS IN STORAGE IN CALIFORNIA HOMES.

WAYNE OMOKAWA>> WE'VE GOT TO MOVE. WE CAN'T SIT AROUND AND WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THAT E-WASTE IS OUT THERE. IT'S HAPPENING EVERY DAY.

PHILIP BRUCE>> WAYNE OMOKAWA IS WITH THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES'S BUREAU OF SANITATION.

WAYNE OMOKAWA>> PEOPLE THAT HAD OLD CAMERAS, OLD TV'S, WERE THROWING IT IN THEIR DUMPSTERS AT HOME. THIS IS BEING PICKED UP BY OUR COLLECTIONS DIVISION AND IT WAS GOING STRAIGHT TO LANDFILL AND LANDFILLS ARE A LIMITED RESOURCE.

PHILIP BRUCE>> THERE WAS A TIME WHEN CONSUMERS COULD DONATE OLD COMPUTERS TO SCHOOLS OR CHARITIES, BUT WITH TECHNOLOGY PROGRESSING SO RAPIDLY, MOST PC'S BECOME TOO OUTDATED TOO QUICKLY FOR THEM TO BE USEFUL. THAT'S WHY THE PILES OF E-WASTE CONTINUE TO GROW.

RANDY LEWIS>> I DREAM ABOUT DEAD COMPUTERS ALL THE TIME AND THE MORE I DREAM ABOUT IT, THE MORE IT FEELS LIKE I'M JUST GETTING OVERWHELMED WITH THESE THINGS, SO THE PROBLEM IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

PHILIP BRUCE>> RANDY LEWIS OWNS SOCAL COMPUTER RECYCLING, ONE OF THE FEW LOCAL COMPANIES IN THE BUSINESS OF RECYCLING E-WASTE.

RANDY LEWIS>> ALL OF IT IS RECYCLABLE. IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE THROWN AWAY. THEY KEEP IT IN THEIR GARAGE OR IN THEIR CLOSET HOPING SOMEDAY THAT THE SMITHSONIAN WILL TAKE IT. WELL, THE SMITHSONIAN DOESN'T WANT OLD COMPUTERS. I DON'T EVEN REALLY WANT OLD COMPUTERS. EVERYTHING I SEE NOW IS JUST JUNK, BUT WE ARE DEDICATED TO KEEPING IT OUT OF THE LANDFILL.

PHILIP BRUCE>> RECYCLING IS THE NEXT FRONTIER IN THE INFORMATION AGE. CURRENTLY, CALIFORNIA RECYCLES ONLY FIVE TO TEN PERCENT OF ITS OLD COMPUTERS, BUT MORE THAN NINETY PERCENT OF EACH DEVICE CAN BE RECYCLED.

RANDY LEWIS>> WE'LL TAKE EQUIPMENT AND EITHER BREAK IT DOWN TO THE BASIC COMPONENTS AND RECYCLE THE METALS, THE BOARDS AND THE ALUMINUM. IF WE CAN KEEP SOMETHING IN USE, WE LIKE TO DO THAT. WE DO WHATEVER UPGRADES ARE NECESSARY AND THEN RESELL THE EQUIPMENT OR DONATE THE EQUIPMENT.

PHILIP BRUCE>> SO WHY AREN'T ALL ELECTRONICS BEING RECYCLED? IT'S A NEW PROBLEM THAT'S JUST NOW BEING TACKLED. INDIVIDUAL CITIES HAVE STARTED TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN E-WASTE SOLUTIONS, USUALLY NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS WHERE RESIDENTS CAN DROP OFF THEIR OLD EQUIPMENT. BUT COLLECTION IS JUST PART OF THE PROCESS.

RANDY LEWIS>> THE COSTS ARE KIND OF SUBSTANTIAL. IT REQUIRES A LOT OF LABOR TO BREAK THESE COMPUTERS DOWN.

WAYNE OMOKAWA>> THE CONSUMER IS GOING TO PAY WHETHER IT'S INCREASED COLLECTION CHARGES OF LANDFILLS OR THE MANUFACTURERS MAY SNEAK IN A TEN DOLLAR PRICE INCREASE JUST TO COVER THOSE COSTS.

PHILIP BRUCE>> THAT MONEY IS NEEDED TO HELP AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR E-WASTE RECYCLING AND TO STOP SOME OF THE WAYS COMPUTERS ARE CURRENTLY DISCARDED.

GARY PETERSEN>> IF IT'S OBSOLETE, IT NEEDS TO BE RECOVERED AND RECYCLED AND EVERYBODY'S GOING TO GET ONBOARD. INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, CONSUMER AND US, THE RECYCLERS.

PHILIP BRUCE>> IN THE MEANTIME, CONSUMERS HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS FOR THEIR OLD COMPUTERS. BUT AS E-WASTE CONTINUES TO GROW, SO WILL THE NEED FOR REAL SOLUTIONS.

STEPHANIE BOWEN>> A FEW MONTHS AGO, I WOULD HAVE JUST, YOU KNOW, I WOULD HAVE TRIED TO DONATE IT OR, I DON'T KNOW, PROBABLY STUCK IT UP IN MY CLOSET. YEAH, I'M DEFINITELY AWARE OF IT NOW AND I DEFINITELY WOULD NOT JUST THROW MY COMPUTER AWAY. I WOULD SEEK OUT A PLACE THAT'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT THAT WILL LEAST AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

JESS>> A DOZEN OTHER STATES ARE NOW LOOKING AT MEASURES THAT WOULD FORCE MANUFACTURERS TO PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN THE DISPOSAL OF E-WASTE. AS WE MENTIONED, MANY CITIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA ALREADY SPONSOR SPECIAL PICKUP DAYS FOR OLD COMPUTERS AND TELEVISIONS, BUT THE STATE’S BUDGET CRUNCH MEANS SEVERAL OF THOSE PROGRAMS MAY BE PHASED OUT.

VAL>> TOMORROW ON LIFE AND TIMES, A NEW PLAN TO WIDEN THE 101 FREEWAY. A GREAT IDEA FOR COMMUTERS, BUT CAN IT SURVIVE THE OPPOSITION FROM SCORES OF PROPERTY OWNERS WHO MIGHT LOSE THEIR HOMES? THE STORY TUESDAY ON LIFE AND TIMES.

PHILIP BRUCE>> HERE’S TONIGHT’S LIFE AND TIMES “WHAT DO YOU THINK?” POLL. LOG ONTO OUR WEBSITE AT KCET.ORG AND WEIGH IN ON THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: HOW MUCH WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY TO RECYCLE E-WASTE? NOTHING, $5 A MONTH, OR $10 A MONTH. WE’LL COUNT YOUR RESPONSES AND REPORT THE RESULTS ON TOMORROW NIGHT’S LIFE AND TIMES.

JESS>> MANY TIMES ON THIS PROGRAM, WE’VE REPORTED ON THE EFFORT TO SAVE ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S FINEST SPECIALTY HOSPITALS, THE RANCHO LOS AMIGOS REHAB CENTER IN DOWNEY. LAST WEEK THE HOSPITAL GOT A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE WHEN A FEDERAL JUDGE BARRED LOS ANGELES COUNTY FROM CLOSING IT.

VAL>> THE JUDGE SAYS THAT THE COUNTY MUST SHOW THAT RANCHO’S DISABLED PATIENTS CAN FIND ADEQUATE TREATMENT FROM OTHER PROVIDERS IN THE AREA. MANY CLAIM THEIR LIVES WOULD HAVE BEEN FOREVER SHATTERED HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR RANCHO LOS AMIGOS.

>> I FELT LIKE MY LIFE WAS OVER. I WAS TERRIFIED. YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE A CRIPPLE. RANCHO GAVE ME THE SKILLS THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF, TO MAKE SOMETHING OF MYSELF.

VAL>> THE WESTERN LAW CENTER FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS FILED A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON BEHALF OF THE PATIENTS AND THE HOSPITAL WON’T CLOSE BEFORE THAT CASE GOES TO TRIAL, WHICH IS PROBABLY WELL BEYOND THE COUNTY’S PLANNED JUNE 30 TARGET DATE FOR CLOSURE. BUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY KEEPING RANCHO OPEN MEANS THEY WILL HAVE TO SHARPLY CUT SERVICES ELSEWHERE.

JESS>> JOINING US NOW IS EVE HILL. SHE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WESTERN LAW CENTER FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS. YOU HAVE WON THE BATTLE, BUT NOT THE WAR?

EVE HILL>> THAT’S CORRECT. THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE TO DO IN THIS CASE. THE COUNTY APPARENTLY PLANS TO APPEAL THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND THEN THERE WILL BE A TRIAL AND WE HOPE THAT, IN THE LONG RUN, WE WILL SAVE RANCHO, BUT IT’S NOT DONE YET.

VAL>> DO YOU THINK THIS WILL ACTUALLY GO TO TRIAL WHERE, YOU KNOW, IN A COURT SETTING WITH WITNESSES AND EVERYTHING, YOU BATTLE OVER WHETHER THE DISABLED CAN GET TREATMENT ELSEWHERE OR WHETHER THE COUNTY NEEDS TO MEET ITS BUDGET? I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE A STRANGE TRIAL.

EVE HILL>> AT THIS POINT, THAT’S WHERE IT’S HEADED. BUT IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DESERVE SERVICES OR WHETHER THE COUNTY CAN AFFORD IT. IT’S LARGER THAN THAT. IT’S ABOUT THE ENTIRE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. IF WE CAN’T AFFORD TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, WE CAN’T AFFORD TO HAVE A HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

JESS>> AND CLEARLY IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO MEET THE JUDGE’S DEMAND? THERE IS NO OTHER FACILITY LIKE RANCHO?

EVE HILL>> THAT’S CORRECT. AT THIS TIME, THEY NEED TO BE PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES AT RANCHO. THEY’VE BEEN DOING IT THIS WAY FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS AND THEY’RE JUST NOT PREPARED TO MOVE THE SERVICES TO OTHER PLACES. WE WOULD BE FINE, WHETHER THE SERVICES ARE AT RANCHO OR WHETHER THEY ARE AT OTHER HOSPITALS, BUT RIGHT NOW THEY’RE AT RANCHO, THEY’RE EXCELLENT SERVICES AND THAT’S WHERE THEY NEED TO STAY.

VAL>> AND THE JUDGE HAS SAID YOU HAVE TO PROVE THAT THOSE DISABLED PATIENTS CANNOT GET ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE OR TREATMENT ELSEWHERE AND THAT’S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CLOSE RANCHO. BUT RANCHO IS A VERY UNIQUE SPECIALIZED PLACE.

EVE HILL>> WELL, RANCHO IS ONE OF SEVERAL REHABILITATION CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT’S ONE OF THE TOP TEN, BUT IT IS THE ONLY ONE IN THIS AREA THAT SERVES PEOPLE WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES LIKE SPINAL CORD INJURY AND STROKE, ARTHRITIS AND POST-POLIO SYNDROME.

VAL>> SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL A LONG WAY TO FIND THE SAME SERVICES ELSEWHERE?

EVE HILL>> RIGHT, WHICH IS JUST NOT APPROPRIATE FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES. YOU CAN’T BE GETTING ON A PLANE EVERY WEEK TO GO FOR TREATMENT.

JESS>> AND THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL RESPOND OR HAVE BEEN RESPONDING BY SAYING IF WE HAVE TO KEEP RANCHO LOS AMIGOS OPEN, WE’LL HAVE TO CLOSE OTHER HOSPITALS?

EVE HILL>> THAT’S WHAT THEY’VE BEEN SAYING, BUT THAT’S SIMPLY NOT TRUE. THEY ARE EXPECTING OVER A $300 MILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS THIS YEAR AND ANOTHER SURPLUS IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THEY DON’T EXPECT ANOTHER DEFICIT UNTIL ABOUT 2007. IN THE MEANTIME, DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS PRIVATIZING RANCHO, SO THAT’S ANOTHER OPTION THAT THE COUNTY HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO EXPLORE SO FAR.

VAL>> SO YOU'RE SAYING THE COUNTY THAT SAYS IT COSTS ALMOST $60 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO KEEP RANCHO LOS AMIGOS GOING, YOU'RE SAYING THAT, NO, THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE TO SAVE THAT $60 MILLION BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO SEE A SURPLUS IN A COUPLE OF YEARS?

EVE HILL>> I'M SAYING THEY HAVE THE MONEY AND, SPECIFICALLY, THEY HAVE MONEY THEY'VE GOTTEN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR RANCHO. WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IS TAKE THAT MONEY AWAY FROM RANCHO AND SPEND IT ON --

JESS>> -- IT WAS EARMARKED FOR RANCHO WHEN WASHINGTON APPROVED IT?

EVE HILL>> THAT'S CORRECT.

JESS>> BUT THEY WANT TO USE IT ELSEWHERE?

EVE HILL>> THAT'S CORRECT.

VAL>> BUT YOU DO AGREE, THOUGH, THAT THE COUNTY HAS A TERRIBLE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. WE'VE COVERED, YOU KNOW, STORIES ABOUT TRAUMA CENTERS CLOSING, EMERGENCY CENTERS CLOSING. I MEAN, IT IS A REAL CRISIS, NO?

EVE HILL>> WELL, NOT THIS YEAR AND NOT NEXT YEAR. THEY JUST GOT A MAJOR SURPLUS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THEY GOT A MAJOR BAILOUT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THEY GOT THE BALLOT MEASURE B WHICH BROUGHT IN A LOT OF MONEY AND THAT SAVED A LOT OF SERVICES.

JESS>> HOW PRACTICAL IS PRIVATIZING?

EVE HILL>> THE FOUNDATION SUBMITTED A REPORT TO THE COUNTY SAYING THAT IT COULD ACHIEVE PRIVATIZATION BY A YEAR FROM NOW.

JESS>> AND PROVIDE ALL THE SERVICES THAT RANCHO PROVIDES NOW?

EVE HILL>> PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES WITH ADEQUATE FUNDING BECAUSE THEY COULD DO FUNDRAISING, THEY WOULD MANAGE THEIR MONEY BETTER, THEY WOULD DO A NUMBER OF THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY GOES TO THE SERVICES AND THAT THOSE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED EFFICIENTLY.

JESS>> AND THE COUNTY WOULDN'T HAVE TO SUPPORT IT?

EVE HILL>> THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO CONTRACT WITH THE HOSPITAL IN ORDER TO SERVE MEDI-CAL PATIENTS BECAUSE IT HAS THAT OBLIGATION.

VAL>> HAS THERE BEEN A PRECEDENT BEFORE, A LEGAL PRECEDENT, TO FIGHT FOR DISABLED RIGHTS IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION WHERE, YOU KNOW, A GOVERNMENT HAS WANTED TO CLOSE SOMETHING DOWN AND THE PATIENTS HAVE FOUGHT BACK?

EVE HILL>> NOT LIKE THIS. THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST CASE OF ITS KIND THAT I KNOW OF, BUT THIS IS HAPPENING NOW ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SO OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NEED TO RELY ON THE PRECEDENT THAT WE'VE SET HERE.

VAL>> WILL THEY BE WATCHING? BECAUSE CALIFORNIA LAW IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER STATES, BUT MIGHT IT HAVE IMPLICATIONS THAT WOULD SET THE TONE FOR OTHERS?

EVE HILL>> THIS WILL ABSOLUTELY AFFECT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY BECAUSE WE FILED UNDER THE FEDERAL LAWS, THE MEDICAID STATUTE AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. WE BROUGHT TOGETHER A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS FROM THE WESTERN CENTER ON LAW AND POVERTY, THE NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS LAW CENTER, PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY, AND KIRKLAND AND ELLIS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE OFFICES AROUND THE COUNTRY, SO THIS WILL HAVE FAR-REACHING EFFECTS.

JESS>> NOW THE JUDGE INITIALLY BLOCKED THE CLOSURE AND IT WAS APPEALED AND SHE HAS AGAIN SAID, NO, YOU CAN'T CLOSE IT. WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE?

EVE HILL>> WELL, FROM HERE, THEY WILL UNDOUBTEDLY WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE APPEALS COURT. THE COUNTY WILL TRY TO TAKE IT TO THE APPEALS COURT, SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING. RIGHT NOW, THEY'VE SAID THEY'RE GOING TO ASK THE CURRENT JUDGE FOR A STAY OF THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. I WOULD DOUBT THAT SHE'D BE WILLING TO DO THAT. SHE'S ALREADY ISSUED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ON THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, BUT NOW THEY'LL ASK THE NINTH CIRCUIT TO REVIEW IT.

JESS>> WELL, A STAY WOULD RESULT IN CLOSURE, RIGHT?

EVE HILL>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT. THEY WERE ACTUALLY ALREADY STARTING TO TURN AWAY PATIENTS WHEN WE GOT THE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER.

VAL>> IF IT EVENTUALLY BECOMES PRIVATIZED, HOW LONG A PROCESS IS THAT? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT CAN HAPPEN IN SIX MONTHS? A YEAR? TWO YEARS? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

EVE HILL>> THE BUSINESS PLAN THAT I'VE SEEN REQUIRED IT TO TAKE A YEAR.

VAL>> SO YOU COULD BE OUT FROM UNDER THE COUNTY POLITICAL FINANCIAL PRESSURE IF IT DID.

EVE HILL>> IF THE COUNTY WERE TO PARTICIPATE AND ASSIST IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

VAL>> HAVE THEY INDICATED WHETHER THEY SUPPORT PRIVATIZATION OR NOT?

EVE HILL>> THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY DO NOT.

JESS>> AND YOU PREFER PRIVATIZATION?

EVE HILL>> I DON'T HAVE A PREFERENCE. I WANT THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED AT RANCHO, SOMEWHERE ELSE, IF IT'S A COUNTY FACILITY OR A PRIVATE FACILITY. IT'S JUST THAT THE SERVICES HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THESE PEOPLE. HOW THEY DO IT IS NOT MY DECISION TO MAKE.

JESS>> WITH RANCHO'S REPUTATION, IF THEY WERE TO, SAY, TRANSFER ALL THAT TO COUNTY USC, IS THAT PRACTICAL? IS THAT POSSIBLE WITH THE FACILITIES SO OVERCROWDED AND IN SUCH DIFFICULTY ITSELF?

EVE HILL>> WELL, I CAN'T MAKE THAT DECISION FOR THE COUNTY AT THIS POINT. ALL I NEED TO SAY IS THAT THE COUNTY SERVICES HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THESE PEOPLE. THEY COULD SPREAD THEM OUT. THEY COULD PUT THEM AT COUNTY USC. IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY REQUIRE MORE SPACE, BUT THEY COULD MAKE THAT DECISION.

JESS>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE ARE ON MEDI-CAL?

EVE HILL>> OVER HALF OF THE PATIENTS AT RANCHO ARE ON MEDI-CAL.

VAL>> SO THAT'S SIGNIFICANT. EVE HILL FROM THE WESTERN LAW CENTER FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING THIS CASE VERY CLOSELY SINCE IT IS SUCH A PRECEDENT-SETTING CASE.

EVE HILL>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

JESS>> TIME NOW TO CHECK OUR VIEWER MAIL AND YOUR LETTERS HAVE COVERED A BROAD RANGE FROM OUR STORY ON LEGAL RIGHTS FOR TRANSGENDERS TO THE BATTLE OVER DECLAWING CATS.

VAL>> BUT MANY OF YOU WROTE ABOUT ONE TOPIC, THE STATE'S MONEY PROBLEMS AND EFFORTS TO FIX THEM. OUR SEGMENT ABOUT EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE STATE'S BUDGET CRISIS DREW AN INNOVATIVE RESPONSE FROM ONE VIEWER IN EAST LOS ANGELES:

"CALIFORNIA'S BUDGET DEFICIT PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED VERY EASILY. TAX PORN. CALIFORNIA IS THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF PORNOGRAPHY IN THE COUNTRY. TAX PORN -- NO MORE DEFICIT."

VAL>> SEVERAL OF YOU REACTED TO OUR STORY ON EFFORTS TO UNIONIZE THE WORKFORCE AT SOME NATIVE-AMERICAN CASINOS. CHRISTOPHER WAASDORP SAYS CLAIMS THAT THE TRIBES OFFER LOW PAY AND POOR HEALTH BENEFITS AREN'T TRUE:

"I WORK AT THE AGUA CALIENTE CASINO NEAR RANCHO MIRAGE AND I'M HAPPY WITH MY JOB AND THE BENEFITS I RECEIVE. WE HAVE A PPO WHICH IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE HMO WE USED TO HAVE. I PREFER TO SPEND MY MONEY TAKING CARE OF MY FAMILY RATHER THAN TAKING CARE OF A UNION."

VAL>> WE'RE GETTING LOTS OF MAIL ABOUT JESS'S UPCOMING RETIREMENT. PAMELA WALKER WRITES:

"I DON'T ENVY THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REPLACING HIM, IF IT CAN BE DONE. YOUR SHOW IS REFRESHING, INTERESTING, RELEVANT, BALANCED AND ENTERTAINING."

VAL>> AND THERE WAS THIS FROM RITA AND JOHN BREEN:

"YOUR INSIGHTFUL AND CHARMING DELIVERY HAVE BEEN AN ASSET TO LOS ANGELES TELEVISION AND WE ARE SORRY WE WON'T BE ABLE TO ENJOY YOUR WORK IN THE FUTURE. WE REALIZE THAT THE CULTURE OF LOCAL TELEVISION NEWS HAS NOT BEEN RECEPTIVE TO PEOPLE WITH REAL JOURNALISTIC TALENT. THANK YOU FOR MAINTAINING REAL STANDARDS OVER ALL THESE YEARS."

TO SEND A COMMENT OR A QUESTION TO OUR PROGRAM, YOU CAN REACH US BY MAIL AT THIS ADDRESS:

LIFE AND TIMES
4401 SUNSET BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90027

YOU CAN ALSO CALL OUR VIEWER COMMENT LINE (323) 953-5555) OR CONTACT US THE FAST WAY BY E-MAIL AT KCET.ORG.

JESS>> WHOEVER DREAMED THAT AN ANGRY CHICANO COCKROACH WOULD BE POPULAR ENOUGH TO APPEAR IN NEWSPAPERS ALL ACROSS AMERICA?

VAL>> WELL, THAT WAS THE FANTASY OF A YOUNG CARTOONIST FROM LOS ANGELES AND HE HAS MADE THAT DREAM COME TRUE. TONIGHT THE STORY OF A SYNDICATED COMIC STRIP, "LA CUCARACHA", AND THE CREATOR, LALO ALCARAZ. LALO'S TWO MAIN CHARACTERS ARE A MELLOW CHICANO NAMED EDDIE AND HIS ALTER-EGO, AN ANGRY COCKROACH NAMED CUCARACHA, AND THEIR POLITICAL DIALOG CAN GET PRETTY EDGY. JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE PERILS OF THE CARTOONING IS LALO ALCARAZ. WELCOME TO LIFE AND TIMES.

LALO ALCARAZ>> HI. THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

JESS>> THE PERIL, AS YOU BECOME MORE AND MORE POPULAR AND THE STRIP IS IN MORE AND MORE NEWSPAPERS, YOU'RE GETTING MORE AND MORE ANGRY LETTERS.

LALO ALCARAZ>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, WELL, IT'S BETTER THAN ANGRY CREDITOR LETTERS (LAUGHTER).

JESS>> (LAUGHTER) IT'S A LIVING.

VAL>> (LAUGHTER) WHAT I FOUND INTERESTING IS THAT YOU ACTUALLY DO TWO VERSIONS BECAUSE THIS STRIP WAS BORN IN THE L.A. WEEKLY, AN ALTERNATIVE PRESS WHERE YOU COULD REALLY BE PRETTY GUTSY, RIGHT? AND YOU STILL DO TWO VERSIONS?

LALO ALCARAZ>> NO. WELL, I DO AN EDITORIAL CARTOON AT THE L.A. WEEKLY WHICH IS CALLED "L.A. CUCARACHA" AND THEN I DO THE DAILY COMIC STRIP WHICH IS CALLED "LA CUCARACHA" BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST IN LOS ANGELES.

VAL>> DID YOU DESCRIBE ONE OF THEM AS "R" RATED AND ONE OF THEM AS "X" RATED? IS THAT CORRECT?

LALO ALCARAZ>> WELL, ONE OF THEM IS "G" RATED.

VAL>> (LAUGHTER) OH, EXCUSE ME.

LALO ALCARAZ>> THAT'S THE ONE YOU SEE EVERY DAY IN THE TIMES.

VAL>> I SEE.

JESS>> DO YOU FIND NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE OUTRAGE THAT SOME OF YOUR CARTOONS PRODUCE TRYING TO EDIT THEM OR DO THEY CHOOSE NOT TO CARRY CERTAIN STRIPS?

LALO ALCARAZ>> THAT HASN'T HAPPENED YET. I MEAN, I ONLY HAVE ONE EDITOR AT THE SYNDICATE WHO IS IN KANSAS CITY AND, YOU KNOW, HE JUST HELPS ME SHAPE THE MESSAGE BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT WILL CAUSE, YOU KNOW, A FIRESTORM. FOR EXAMPLE, I DID A STRIP ON THE LATINO SOLDIERS IN IRAQ, THE CASUALTIES. YOU KNOW, HE STEERED ME AWAY FROM TALKING ABOUT DEAD GUYS AND DIDN'T GIVE ANY READERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY "ARE YOU SAYING THAT LATINO CASUALTIES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN NON-LATINO CASUALTIES?" SO I REPHRASED THE CARTOON AND, YOU KNOW, I'M THE HONORARY MAYOR OF CARTOON TOWN NOW.

VAL>> WE'RE GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE A LITTLE SAMPLING OF YOUR WORK. IT'S BOTH CULTURAL AND POLITICAL. WE'RE GOING TO START WITH ONE. YOU CAN READ IT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO READ IT OUT LOUD. "WHERE ARE YOU RUSHING OFF TO?" THAT'S THE GIRLFRIEND IN YOUR --

LALO ALCARAZ>> -- VERO.

VAL>> WHAT'S HER NAME?

LALO ALCARAZ>> VERO.

VAL>> AND THE ANSWER IS, "I'M LATE FOR MY LATINO TIME MANAGEMENT SEMINAR." YOU MAKE FUN OF YOUR OWN CULTURE, OBVIOUSLY, RIGHT?

LALO ALCARAZ>> SURE.

JESS>> HERE'S ONE I LIKE. "NETO TIA TONO WANTS TO TALK TO YOU." "YOU MEAN, LECTURE TO ME." "YOU'RE A TIA CHELA AND I NEED A WORD WITH YOU. YOUR STYLE OF CLOTHING IS BRINGING SHAME TO OUR FAMILY."

VAL>> (LAUGHTER) NOW DO YOU EVER GET CRITICIZED FOR, YOU KNOW, REINFORCING THE LATINO STEREOTYPES?

LALO ALCARAZ>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I DID A RADIO INTERVIEW THE OTHER DAY IN SAN DIEGO AND THEY TRIED TO PUT ME ON THE SPOT. THEY SAID YOUR STRIPS ARE SO FULL OF STEREOTYPES AND I SAID NAME ONE. SHE COULD NOT SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE, TO ME, OKAY, MAYBE AN OLDER LATINO GENTLEMAN WEARING A COWBOY HAT, IS THAT A STEREOTYPE OR IS THAT JUST THE CUSTOM? TO ME, STEREOTYPE CARRIES NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS. NONE OF MY CHARACTERS ARE LIKE GANG BANGERS OR DRUNKARDS OR -- THERE IS A BAR IN THE CARTOON.

JESS>> YOU'RE NOT GIVING COCKROACHES A BAD NAME.

LALO ALCARAZ>> NO, I'M ELEVATING THE COCKROACH TO ITS DESIRED POSITION, ITS RIGHTFUL POSITION (LAUGHTER).

VAL>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME MORE OF YOUR WORK BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH FUN. IN THIS ONE, PEOPLE ARE LINED UP AT CLUB ROK-A-MOLE -- MOLE, M-O-L-E, THAT'S GREAT -- AND THE FIRST PERSON IN LINE WHO'S WEARING A SUIT EXPLAINS "DRESS CODE?"

LALO ALCARAZ>> AND YOU NOTICE THE GUY'S SECURITY SHIRT SAYS "ESTAFE" (LAUGHTER).

VAL>> BUT YOU ALSO GET POLITICAL.

JESS>> INDEED. HERE'S ONE. "THE NEW LIST OF THE ONE HUNDRED MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN HOLLYWOOD JUST CAME OUT. NUMBER ONE IS STEVEN SPIELBERG. THE LIST OF THE ONE HUNDRED MOST POWERFUL LATINOS IN HOLLYWOOD JUST CAME OUT TOO. WHO'S NUMBER ONE? STEVEN SPIELBERG'S GARDENER."

VAL>> (LAUGHTER) YOU HAD TO GET SOME FLAK FOR THIS ONE.

LALO ALCARAZ>> NO.

JESS>> WHO WAS OFFENDED? SPIELBERG OR GARDENERS?

LALO ALCARAZ>> HIS LAWYER (LAUGHTER).

VAL>> (LAUGHTER) NOW HAS ANYBODY CANCELED YOU? BECAUSE YOU GET SYNDICATED, YOU GO OUT TO ALL THESE NEWSPAPERS, THEY CAN SAY WE DON'T WANT TO CARRY YOU ANYMORE?

LALO ALCARAZ>> YEAH, THIS HAPPENED IN ALBUQUERQUE, THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL.

JESS>> THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL?

LALO ALCARAZ>> OH, YEAH. I THOUGHT ALBUQUERQUE WAS REALLY LAID BACK AND ALMOST PROGRESSIVE, BUT I WAS REALLY WRONG.

VAL>> WHY DID THEY CANCEL YOU?

LALO ALCARAZ>> YOU KNOW, THERE WAS THIS ONE STRIP IN PARTICULAR THAT THEY DID NOT ENJOY IN WHICH I MOCKED, YOU KNOW, LETTERS THAT I'VE GOTTEN -- ACTUALLY, THE EDITORS GET -- FOR KNOCKING OUT THEIR FAVORITE STRIP LIKE "GASOLINE ALLEY" OR "MARY WORTH" OR SOMETHING AND REPLACING IT WITH MINE. IT'S THE LAST THING THEY WANT TO SEE, SOME ANGRY CHICANO COMIC STRIP, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY'VE BEEN READING THEIR STRIP FOR EIGHTY YEARS (LAUGHTER). SO I WAS MOCKING THAT BY MOCKING THE FACT THAT SOME OF THESE STRIPS NEVER INCLUDED MINORITIES OR HAD NO DIVERSITY. NOBODY'S EVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW.

VAL>> WELL, YOU CERTAINLY HAVE. HERE'S THE NEXT ONE. IT ASKS, "SO WHY IS THE PRESIDENT TRYING TO STOP AFFIRMATIVE ACTION?" ANSWER, "BECAUSE HE BELIEVES WE ALL HAVE AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD." THE ANSWER, "THE PRESIDENT'S NEVER SEEN OUR PLAYING FIELD." NOW THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT I WOULD THINK WOULD -- DO YOU LIKE POLITICS MORE THAN CULTURE?

LALO ALCARAZ>> I MEAN, POLITICS IS EVERYTHING TO ME, BUT I WISH I COULD RANT EVERY DAY IN THE COMIC, BUT IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. YOU HAVE TO MIX IT UP. THE CHARACTERS HAVE LIVES AND --

VAL>> -- SO YOU'RE AWARE OF NOT BEING TOO POLITICAL AND GOING BETWEEN CULTURE AND POLITICS?

LALO ALCARAZ>> I MEAN, IT'S A POLITICAL ACT JUST TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, LATINO CHARACTERS ON THE COMICS PAGE, YOU KNOW.

JESS>> WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS LAST ONE IN. IT'S CHOICE. "I'M BILL O'REILLY. WELCOME TO THE NO-SPIN ZONE. THIS IS THE O'REILLY FACTOR. MY FIRST GUEST IS AN ADVOCATE FOR WETBACKS - ER, UH, I MEAN, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, BUT LET'S WETBACK -- I MEAN, GET BACK TO HIM AFTER A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR, WETBACK RESTAURANTS -- I MEAN OUTBACK RESTAURANTS." (LAUGHTER) THAT MUST HAVE SET THEM AFIRE.

VAL>> (LAUGHTER) DID YOU EVER HEAR FROM BILL O'REILLY?

LALO ALCARAZ>> LAUGHTER) I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM HIM, BUT YOU KNOW, HE'S PSYCHO, SO I DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM (LAUGHTER).

JESS>> OUR THANKS TO LALO ALCARAZ.

VAL>> A REMINDER THAT YOU CAN FIND TRANSCRIPTS OR HEAR AUDIO OF OUR RECENT PROGRAMS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AT KCET.ORG.

JESS>> AND THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR THIS EVENING. NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT LIFE AND TIMES, THANKS FOR JOINING US AND GOOD NIGHT.

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