Christopher Vo, Matt Borges, Dr, Jeff Gardere, Jonathan Schanzer, Elizabeth Schultz and Scottie Hughes joined WMAL on Thursday!
CLICK HERE to listen to Thursday’s show!
INTERVIEW — ELIZABETH SCHULTZ – Fairfax County Public School board member
INTERVIEW — DR. JEFF GARDERE – a clinical psychologist
INTERVIEW – JONATHAN SCHANZER – vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
Mornings on the Mall
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Hosts: Brian Wilson and Scottie Hughes
Executive Producer: Heather Smith
5am – A/B/C Do you still go to the movies? Does this incident turn you off from going to the movies?
- Man killed by police in Tennessee theater had ‘significant’ mental issues
- Vincente Montano identified as Antioch theater suspect
- Police Respond to Report of Gunman at Theater in Antioch, Tennessee, Suspect Dead
5am – D Police: Man who shot his partner, then himself, had a long criminal history. (Washington Post) — The Maryland man who killed a woman believed to be his wife at a Germantown gas station, in front of her 16-year-old daughter, and then fatally shot himself, had recently been released from prison on parole after serving less than three years of an eight-year drug-distribution sentence, according to court records and law enforcement officials. Records also show that the man, Johnnie Perkins, 42, had been arrested in April for allegedly failing to listen to police officers during a contentious traffic stop. In another case last month, he was pulled over for suspected drunken driving, and police said they found a loaded semiautomatic handgun in his trunk. A court commissioner at the jail held him on no-bond status, but a judge revised that, allowing him to post bond and get out of jail July 14. The tragedy has sparked anger from county police, who question why Perkins was not behind bars. Police said Perkins shot and killed Schakina Moody, 34, while her daughter Nyazia was filling the car with gas at the crowded station just after noon Tuesday. In an interview Wednesday, Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, who also serves as president of the Major Cities Police Chiefs Association, said that Perkins’s lengthy record should have been a factor during any discussion to let him out on parole so soon into his sentence. “This guy should have been behind bars,” Manger said. “He’s out in less than three with his record. I just don’t get it.”
5am – E IRAN:
- Obama links Republicans to Iranians chanting ‘death to America’ – President Obama on Wednesday linked congressional Republicans opposed to his nuclear deal with Tehran to Iranian hardliners who chant “death to America,” suggesting both want to torpedo the accord. Insisting America takes certain “offensive” and “incendiary” remarks emanating from parts of Iran seriously, Obama said the U.S. “should not act impulsively in response to taunts.” “Just because Iranian hardliners chant ‘death to America’ does not mean that that’s what all Iranians believe,” Obama said to applause during his speech at American University. “In fact, it’s those hardliners who are most comfortable with the status quo. It’s those hardliners chanting ‘death to America’ who have been most opposed to the deal. They are making a common cause with the Republican caucus,” Obama said.
- Kerry: Rejecting Iran Nuke Deal is “Ultimate Screwing” of Ayatollah. Secretary of State John Kerry gave an interview to Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic in which he warned Congress that if it rejected the Iran deal, it would “screw” the Iranian regime, and the Ayatollahs would not come back to the table. “[T]he United States Congress will prove the ayatollah’s suspicion, and there’s no way he’s ever coming back. He will not come back to negotiate. Out of dignity, out of a suspicion that you can’t trust America. America is not going to negotiate in good faith. It didn’t negotiate in good faith now, would be his point,” Kerry said.
6am – A/B Proposed Fairfax County school cuts include sports. (WTOP) — WASHINGTON — The Fairfax County public school system is so strapped for cash that a task force looking for ways to make cuts suggests eliminating high school sports. The school system projects a budget shortfall of up to $100 million in fiscal 2017. The task force document detailing proposed cuts states the goal of the suggestions is to get a conversation started before preparing a fiscal 2017 budget proposal in January 2016.
6am – C Metro Train With No Passengers Derails at Smithsonian; Disruptions on 3 Lines. Rail service disrupted on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. (NBC Washington) — A Metro train with no passengers aboard derailed at the Smithsonian station Thursday morning, Metro Transit Police said shortly before 6 a.m. The non-passenger train derailed at a switch. There are no injuries. Rail service is disrupted on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, Metro Transit Police say. All train service is suspended between Federal Center SW and McPherson Square. Buses are en route, but Metro is advising riders to seek alternate methods of transportation. Silver Line trains are running between Wiehle Avenue and East Falls Church only. Riders should transfer to the Orange Line to continue their trips.
6am – D INTERVIEW – CHRISTOPHER VO – drone expert, robotics scientist and President of the DC Area Drone User Group. He has developed UAS for academia and industry and currently serves as the Chief Scientist for Sentien Robotics, Inc.
- With the rise of hobbyists, police departments and journalists using drones, what are the rules people should know?
- What You Need To Know About Flying Drones In Washington, DC. (TIME) — Until recently, you could watch drone footage around Washington, D.C. Too bad it’s illegal—very illegal. What’s the problem with flying a remote controlled aircraft in D.C.? In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration banned nearly all aviation—including model aviation—from what is known at the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ), a roughly 10-nautical mile area centered around Reagan National Airport in Virginia.
- Feds approve 1,000 applications for drone flights. (The Hill) — The Federal Aviation Administration has approved 1,000 applications for nonmilitary drone flights. The exemptions were granted this week under a section of federal law that allows the Transportation Department to wave requirements for FAA approval for drone flights that are operated outside of restricted airspace and below 200 feet
- Drone spotted at Kennedy Airport; 2nd in 3 days. (Fox DC) — NEW YORK (AP) – Federal officials say a pilot has reported a drone aircraft while approaching Kennedy International Airport for the second time in three days. The FAA says Shuttle America 5911 reported the device off the left side of the aircraft as it approached the runway around 6 p.m. on Sunday.
- Drone just 50 ft from United flight landing at Minneapolis airport. MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – The FBI is investigating the near-collision of a drone and a United Express flight as it approached the runway at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport early Monday evening.
- Ohio prison yard free-for-all after drone drops drugs. (CNN) – Ohio prisons have had incidents with drones hovering over their yards before. But the most recent one saw the unmanned aerial vehicle become a high-flying drug mule. Officers rushed into the north yard of Mansfield Correctional Institution in Mansfield, Ohio, last week after noticing 75 inmates gathering and a fight breaking out, according to an incident report from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
6am – E Entertainment News:
- Gwyneth Paltrow & Mom Blythe Danner Head to Washington, Call for GMO Labeling. (E! Online) — Gwyneth Paltrow and mom and fellow actress Blyth Danner had a mother-daughter day in Washington D.C. on Wednesday to promote a cause close to their hearts. The 42-year-old head of the health and lifestyle website Goop and the 72-year-old headed there to speak about their support for mandatory labeling of foods made with genetically engineered organisms, or GMOs, which are common. The House of Representatives had last month approved H.R.1599, a bill titled the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015. It states that Food and Drug Administration “must allow, but not require” food containing “genetically modified organisms” to be “labeled as GMO” and also “regulate the use of the word ‘natural’ on food labels,” according to Congress.
- Ben Affleck and Jen Garner’s ex nanny sips on cocktails by the pool at luxury hotel. Affleck’s former nanny hides away at Hotel Bel-Air, and source says he’s footing the bill. (Daily Mail) — The former nanny linked romantically with Ben Affleck is living it up at one of the world’s most exclusive hotels as the actor’s divorce from Jennifer Garner grows ever more bitter. Christine Ouzounian, 28, is holed up at the luxurious Hotel Bel-Air where she’s been working on her tan in a tiny black bikini and enjoying drinks at the hotel’s poolside bar. The pretty blonde, who was fired by Garner just over a month ago, appeared not to have a care in the world despite being at the center of a media firestorm over whether or not she and Affleck, 42, are having an affair. Ouzounian was photographed over the weekend hanging out with a female friend at the hotel bar and lounging by the pool. At this time of year, room rates for one night at the exclusive resort start at around $1,000 on a weekday and $1,500 on a weekend, with fees increasing according to the size of the room or suite. The hotel is situated on 12 acres of lush gardens and has 58 guestrooms and 45 suites, including seven one-of-a-kind specialty suites. A source told People Wednesday that the movie star ‘is taking care of Christine’s expenses at the hotel.’
7am – A/B/C INTERVIEW — MATT BORGES – OHIO GOP CHAIRMAN
@ChairmanBorges
- Previewed the first GOP debate on Thursday: Fox News said Tuesday that Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Chris Christie and John Kasich will all appear on the dais Thursday for the premiere event. Perry and the six other major declared candidates — Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, George Pataki, and Jim Gilmore — to appear together during a 5 pm forum earlier Thursday evening.
7am – D INTERVIEW — DR. JEFF GARDERE – a clinical psychologist
- The psychology of these copycat movie theater shooters — is there a psychological pattern to these kind of people?
- Man killed by police in Tennessee theater had ‘significant’ mental issues. >> Tennessee Theater Attack Suspect Had History of Mental Health Issues, Police Say. Police said Montano was institutionalized at least three times while living in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he was charged with assault and resisting arrest 11 years ago. Police believed he was homeless and had lived in several states over the years, including Missouri, Texas, Alabama, Illinois, and Florida.
- OTHER MENTAL PROFILES OF MOVIE THEATER SHOOTERS:
- James Eagan Holmes — On July 20, 2012, a mass shooting occurred inside of a Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, during a midnight screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises. On May 27, Dr. William Reid, a court-appointed psychiatrist, testified that Holmes was mentally ill but legally sane. Reid and another doctor evaluated Holmes in December 2013 and determined that he understood what he was doing.[88] On June 8, a second psychiatrist, Jeffrey Metzner, testified that Holmes was mentally ill but legally sane during the shooting, and suffers from schizoaffective disorder.
- John Russell Houser — Louisiana movie theater gunman had mental health problems, bitter family disputes, records show. The gunman who opened fire Thursday in a Louisiana movie theater was a onetime entrepreneur who inveighed against women’s rights, liberals and minorities and had been involuntarily committed for mental illness, according to court documents and interviews. As Houser lost his businesses and his family life disintegrated, he appears to have taken a darker turn, according to investigators, anti-hate groups and a review of his social media postings. Houser made such “ominous” threats that Kellie Houser said she removed all the guns and weapons from the couple’s home, according to the filings. Houser’s family said that he suffered from mental illness and had daily medication for it but that he became erratic when he forgot or refused to take the medication, according to a court filing.
7am – E INTERVIEW – JONATHAN SCHANZER – vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
- Recap Obama’s Iran speech / Iran hearing on Wednesday
- Obama links Republicans to Iranians chanting ‘death to America’
- Kerry Warns on Iran Deal: Don’t ‘Screw’ the Ayatollahs. Secretary of State John Kerry gave an interview to Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic in which he warned Congress that if it rejected the Iran deal, it would “screw” the Iranian regime, and the Ayatollahs would not come back to the table.
8am – A INTERVIEW — ELIZABETH SCHULTZ – Fairfax County Public School board member
- Proposed Fairfax County school cuts include sports. WASHINGTON — The Fairfax County public school system is so strapped for cash that a task force looking for ways to make cuts suggests eliminating high school sports. The school system projects a budget shortfall of up to $100 million in fiscal 2017. The task force document detailing proposed cuts states the goal of the suggestions is to get a conversation started before preparing a fiscal 2017 budget proposal in January 2016. Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza tells The Washington Post that painful decisions are ahead when funding doesn’t keep up with even basic demands.
8am – B Donald Trump talked politics with Bill Clinton weeks before launching 2016 bid. (Washington Post) – Former president Bill Clinton had a private telephone conversation in late spring with Donald Trump at the same time that the billionaire investor and reality-television star was nearing a decision to run for the White House, according to associates of both men. Four Trump allies and one Clinton associate familiar with the exchange said that Clinton encouraged Trump’s efforts to play a larger role in the Republican Party and offered his own views of the political landscape. Clinton’s personal office in New York confirmed that the call occurred in late May, but an aide to Clinton said the 2016 race was never specifically discussed and that it was only a casual chat. The talk with Clinton — the spouse of the Democratic presidential front-runner and one of his party’s preeminent political strategists — came just weeks before Trump jumped into the GOP race and surged to the front of the crowded Republican field. The revelation of the call comes as many Republicans have begun criticizing Trump for his ties to Democrats, including past financial donations to the Clintons and their charitable foundation. Trump took the call from his office in Trump Tower in New York, according to the four allies, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. The call came as Trump was making a final decision about whether to run, and he was candid about his political ambitions and his potential interest in seeking the White House during the talk, these allies said.
8am – C Senate report: IRS’ Lerner targeted Bristol Palin. (USA Today) — Lois Lerner, the key figure in the controversy over the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups for added scrutiny, once considered opening up an audit into Bristol Palin’s compensation from a teen pregnancy charity, according to a new Senate report. The Senate Finance Committee released the results of its two-year investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups Wednesday, with revealing looks at Lerner’s emails. One email, cited by Chairman Orrin Hatch as an “example of Lerner’s interest in conservative organizations,” asked whether the IRS should open an audit of Candie’s Foundation, which paid Palin $332,500 in compensation to be a celebrity spokesperson. Lerner was concerned that the salary figure could violate IRS rules against charitable groups being for the private benefit of individuals. Palin is the daughter of 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, and she became a household name when it was revealed during that campaign that she had become pregnant at age 17. She later performed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and was briefly engaged to Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer. “Thoughts on the Bristol Palin issue?” Lerner, then the director of the IRS’s Exempt Organizations unit, wrote to her staff in 2011. “I’m asking because I don’t know whether to send to Exam as a referral.” There’s no evidence from the Senate report that an audit was ever opened.
8am – D/E Baby left in hot car at Md. Metro station. Punishment for dad? SILVER SPRING, Md. — A 6-month old is recovering in the hospital after the boy was rescued from a hot car in Silver Spring Wednesday morning. The baby’s father took a Red Line Metro train to work, leaving the baby behind in his car, which was parked at the Forest Glen Metro Station parking lot. But after realizing what he’d done, the 31-year-old father called the baby’s grandparents and they called 911. Metro’s Sherri Ly says the preliminary investigation shows the father parking about 7:30 a.m. and the baby had been in the hot car until he was rescued about 10:20 a.m. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue crews broke out the window on the 2015 Subaru to rescue the baby and rushed the child to a local hospital. Ly says, at last report, the baby was alert, but with an elevated temperature. Meanwhile she says detectives are interviewing the father and that detectives have referred the case to Child Protective Services to determine if any charges should be filed. The father’s name has not been released.
TOMORROW: Scottie Nell Hughes, Stuart Varney, Jake Tapper, Bret Baier and Amanda Carpenter
