Joe diGenova, FixWMATA.com’s Chris Barnes, Gov. John Sununu and Common Cause Maryland’s Jennifer Bevan-Dangel joined WMAL on Monday.

Mornings on the Mall

Monday, August 10, 2015

Hosts: Brian Wilson and Larry O’Connor

Executive Producer: Heather Smith

5am – A/B/C Donald Trump: No apology on ‘blood’ remark amid GOP backlash. Do you accept Trump’s explanation or did he go too far?

5am – D         DC Metro Update:

• DC Metro Actually Giving Riders Refunds For Poor Service. (Daily Caller) — People in Washington, D.C., complain constantly about the long wait times and inconsistent service from the city’s transit agency. Many even ask for refunds. This time, though, their wishes have been granted. Jack Requa, the interim CEO of Metro, announced Friday that riders who used their SmarTrip cards to ride the train this morning will receive a credit for the money they were charged. Friday morning, a power outage caused massive problems on the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines and passengers needed to be evacuated from a Silver Line train that was stranded between two Virginia Metro stations. “We absolutely understand the frustration among our Blue, Orange and Silver line customers,” Requa said in a statement. “Given the significant service disruptions that inconvenienced riders over multiple commutes this week, we are taking this step to thank everyone for bearing with us.” The same three train lines were halted Thursday morning during rush hour after a train derailed just outside of the Smithsonian Station. The derailment led to massive delays and forced passengers to ride buses to avoid the station. The agency was forced to shut down two train stations, disrupting all three lines.
• Metro audit reveals financial woes. WASHINGTON — An audit released on Thursday reveals the continued financial problems plaguing Metro and the financial challenges facing Metro in the coming years. The financial report from accounting firm McGladrey finds that while revenues dropped at Metro between 2013 and 2014, expenses during the same time period went up. The result was the agency spent $104 million more than it received during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014. But the numbers reveal some troublesome signs for the transit agency. The profit and loss statement shows Metro received $890.5 million in revenues in fiscal year 2014, down from $906.9 million in 2013. Metro saw a decline in passenger revenue of about $6 million, which is the largest portion of revenues coming into the transit agency.

5am – E         Shootings in Ferguson and DC:

• Gunfire erupts in Ferguson on anniversary of Michael Brown’s killing. Ferguson, Missouri (CNN) — A day of peaceful vigils to mark the one-year anniversary of Michael Brown’s shooting death turned ugly late Sunday night when protesters threw rocks and bottles at officers, and police critically injured a man who they say fired at them. The unidentified man in his 20s was undergoing surgery early Monday morning. He unleashed a “remarkable amount of gunfire” against the officers using a stolen handgun, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said. “We cannot continue, we cannot talk about the good things that we have been talking about, if we are prevented from moving forward with this kind of violence,” he said.
• Woman shot by DC police to face arson and assault charges. WASHINGTON (AP) — Renita Nettles was charged while still hospitalized with the gunshot wound she sustained Saturday evening in northeast Washington. According to police, she ignored repeated commands to drop a knife she was carrying as she approached an officer. Witnesses who spoke to The Washington Post confirmed that account of the shooting, which was captured by bystanders on video. Police were initially called to the low-income housing community where Nettles was shot to help firefighters who were battling a blaze at a home there. Nettles was charged with starting that fire, which was still burning when she was shot. Gwendolyn Crump, a police spokeswoman, said Nettles was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a police officer.

6am – A/B/C Donald Trump: No apology on ‘blood’ remark amid GOP backlash. Do you accept Trump’s explanation or did he go too far?

6am – D         Miley Cyrus on Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ Video Violence: ‘That’s Supposed to Be a Good Example?’ Miley dissed Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood music video by saying that it … “And I’m a bad role model because I’m running around with my tits out?” Is Miley Cyrus the latest to jump on the “I hate Taylor” bandwagon? Taylor Swift vs Katy Perry is so yesterday, that’s for sure! The popstar has opened up about her public perception in an interview with Marie Claire. Miley complained about the music industry and how she hates being viewed as the “bad role model” more than others. Or a certain other, shall we say? Miley dissed Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood music video by saying that it doesn’t set a “good example”. She told Marie Claire, “I don’t get the violence revenge thing. That’s supposed to be a good example?” The Wrecking Ball artist highlighted how it’s hypocritical of the media and public to be okay with violence but not sexuality. She said.

6am – E         NFL Legend Frank Gifford Passes Away at 84. (NBC News) — Pro Football Hall of Famer and veteran sports journalist Frank Gifford has died in Connecticut, his family announced on Sunday. He was 84. In a statement, his family said: “It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford. Frank died suddenly this beautiful Sunday morning of natural causes at his Connecticut home. We rejoice in the extraordinary life he was privileged to live, and we feel grateful and blessed to have been loved by such an amazing human being. We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time and we thank you for your prayers.” Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1930, Gifford attended the University of Southern California on a football scholarship and went pro after being selected 11th overall in the first round of the 1952 draft. Gifford played with the New York Giants his entire NFL career, from 1952 to 1964, with several visits to the Pro Bowl. In 1956, he was the league’s Most Valuable Player and led the team to a championship (before it was called “The Super Bowl”).

7am – A         INTERVIEW – JOE DIGENOVA – legal analyst and former U.S Attorney to the District of Columbia

HILLARY’S EMAILS:

• LAST WEEK: FBI investigation of Hillary’s emails is ‘criminal probe’
• Clinton certifies she has turned over work-related emails.
• Cheryl Mills To Destroy Emails About Boss Hillary Clinton.

7am – B         Entertainment News:

• Bill Murray to appear in ‘Ghostbusters’ (The Hollywood Reporter) – Bill Murray ain’t afraid of no reboot. The actor, who played Dr. Peter Venkman in “Ghostbusters” (1984) and “Ghostbusters II” (1989), will appear in director Paul Feig’s upcoming installment in the franchise, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Murray has long been resistant to star in a third Ghostbusters movie. He told David Letterman earlier this year that his hesitancy stems from “Ghostbusters II” not having been as well-received as the first one. Feig’s film, which is currently shooting, stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth. It hits theaters on July 22, 2016.
• ‘Fantastic Four’ bombs with $26.2M; ‘Mission’ again tops. NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood’s summer has had runaway sensations (“Jurassic World”) and heartwarming hits (“Inside Out”). It now has its fiasco. “Fantastic Four,” 20th Century Fox’s attempt to reboot the superhero team-up franchise, debuted with just $26.2 million at North American theaters over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. The result was bad enough that last week’s leader, Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation,” held the top spot with $29.4 million in its second week.
• Rick Springfield on Acting Opposite Meryl Streep in ‘Ricki and the Flash’ and Why He’s a ‘Late Bloomer.’ Rick Springfield has had a lot of “pinch me” moments in his five-decade career, from topping the Billboard Hot 100 with his iconic 1981 hit “Jessie’s Girl” to winning a Grammy and selling out venues across the world. The latest big moment came when he landed the part of Meryl Streep’s bandmate and lover in director Jonathan Demme’s new film, Ricki and the Flash, which opens Friday (Aug. 7). And it almost didn’t happen. Springfield initially turned down trying out for the role because, in part, “I’m not a great auditioner,” he says but now calls making the movie “a great experience.” (The film’s soundtrack is also out Friday on Republic and features songs from Lucinda Williams, Emmylous Harris and Streep’s son, Henry Wolfe).

7am – C         Target to remove gender-based labeling. (USA Today) — Kids visiting Target will no longer have to consider their gender while shopping. The retailer announced Friday it will start removing gender-based labeling in several departments — including toys, bedding and entertainment — around the store. The company says the decision comes after feedback and suggestions from customers. “As guests have pointed out, in some departments like toys, home or entertainment, suggesting products by gender is unnecessary,” reads a statement from Target. “We heard you, and we agree. Right now, our teams are working across the store to identify areas where we can phase out gender-based signage to help strike a better balance.” The decision will change elements beyond just the signage in these departments. In the children’s toys area of the store, Target plans to remove pink, blue, yellow and green paper on the back of the walls to eliminate references or suggestions based on gender.

7am – D         INTERVIEW – CHRIS BARNES – FixWMATA.com and on Twitter @FixWMATA

• Chris Barnes has long been a WMATA watchdog.       Years ago, he became WMATA’s chief gadfly when he created his FixWMATA blog and Twitter account. Barnes gained a certain notoriety through his tweets, which were uniquely rageful even by Twitter standards. An IT guy for a TV station by day (he declines to say for which station he works), Barnes was relentless in his criticism of Metro. Leadership, pricing, wait times, safety, crime—no aspect of the organization escaped Barnes’ watchful eye. Being blocked by WMATA on Twitter seemed to only increase the intensity of his rage spasms.
• DC Metro Actually Giving Riders Refunds For Poor Service. (Daily Caller) — People in Washington, D.C., complain constantly about the long wait times and inconsistent service from the city’s transit agency. Many even ask for refunds. This time, though, their wishes have been granted. Jack Requa, the interim CEO of Metro, announced Friday that riders who used their SmarTrip cards to ride the train this morning will receive a credit for the money they were charged. Friday morning, a power outage caused massive problems on the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines and passengers needed to be evacuated from a Silver Line train that was stranded between two Virginia Metro stations.

7am – E         Obama defends comparing Republicans to Iranian hardliners | MSNBC.

President Obama stood by his claim that Republicans opposed to the Iran nuclear deal are making common cause with the most anti-western powers in Iranian society, in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Sunday. “What I said is absolutely true factually,” Obama said. “The truth of the matter is, inside of Iran, the people most opposed to the deal are the Revolutionary Guard, the Quds Force, hardliners who are implacably opposed to any cooperation with the international community. And there’s a reason for that, because they recognize that if, in fact, this deal gets done, that rather than them being in the driver’s seat with respect to the Iranian economy, they are in a weaker position.”

8am – A         INTERVIEW – GOV. JOHN SUNUNU – former chief of staff to George H.W. Bush, former governor of New Hampshire and author of new book ” THE QUIET MAN: The Indispensable Presidency of George H.W. Bush”

• NEW BOOK: The Quiet Man – THE QUIET MAN: The Indispensable Presidency of George H.W. Bush (Broadside Books, on sale June 9, 2015), John H. Sununu provides a look at the former president from the inside. T
• Thoughts on Trump’s war with Megyn Kelly

8am – B/C     Taking calls on Trump

8am – D         INTERVIEW — Jennifer Bevan-Dangel – Executive Director, Common Cause Maryland

• Common Cause MD has long been involved the redistricting issue in Maryland
• Governor Larry Hogan Signs Executive Order Establishing Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission. ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan last week signed Executive Order 01.01.2015.21, establishing the Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission. The commission, which fulfills a commitment by Governor Hogan to address Maryland’s redistricting process, will be made up of four members appointed by House and Senate leadership, as well as representatives from policy research and voter and government reform organizations. Governor Hogan directly appointed seven members of the commission, all of whom were announced. “Maryland is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the country, a distinction that we should not be proud of,” said Governor Hogan. “For far too long, this political gamesmanship has stifled real political debate and deprived citizens of meaningful choices. Through the work of this commission, my administration’s goal is to reform this process and put Maryland’s redistricting process on a new path toward transparency, fair representation, and election integrity.”

8am – E         Protesters shut down Bernie Sanders rally. (The Hill) — Protesters who claimed affiliation with the Black Lives Matter movement stormed the stage during a rally for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in Seattle on Saturday, taking over the microphone and forcing Sanders to leave without ever speaking. Moments after Sanders took the stage at Westlake Park, two women and one man climbed the stage and confronted the Democratic presidential candidate, demanding a chance to speak. After several moments of confusion and confrontation, an event organizer took the microphone and said the protesters would be allowed to speak before Sanders. Some in the crowd booed. One protester, who identified herself as Marissa Johnson, began by saying, “I was going to tell Bernie how racist this city is — with all of its progressives — but you’ve already done that for me. Thank you.” At times, shouts of “arrest her” were audible. After the four-and-a-half minutes, protesters did not relinquish the stage.

TOMORROW: Larry Kudlow