9/21/01

LC010921

VAL>> ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT --

JESS>> HE'S THE TOP REPUBLICAN IN CALIFORNIA, BUT HE'S HOPING FOR A PROMOTION. TONIGHT WE'LL TALK WITH SECRETARY OF STATE, BILL JONES, ABOUT HIS BID TO BECOME OUR NEXT GOVERNOR, AND WE'LL ASK HIM WHAT HE'S HEARING OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. IN THE WAKE OF THE TERRORIST CRISIS, ARE CALIFORNIANS WORRIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND THEIR SAFETY? AND CAN THE GOVERNOR REALLY DO ANYTHING TO MAKE MATTERS BETTER?

VAL>> AND LAX IS LOSING A MILLION DOLLARS A DAY, THE AIRLINES ARE FACING BANKRUPTCY AND THE BATTLESHIPS HAVE BEEN PATROLLING THE CALIFORNIA COAST. TONIGHT MADDOX & HEWITT DISCUSS THE NEWS OF THE WEEK, A WEEK OF UNSPEAKABLE SAVAGERY.

JESS>> PLUS WE'LL PAY TRIBUTE TO A JAZZ LEGEND WHO'S GONE BUT DEFINITELY NOT FORGOTTEN.

[FILM CLIP]

JESS>> JOHN COLTRANE'S MUSIC IS BEING CELEBRATED THIS WEEKEND ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 75TH BIRTHDAY. TONIGHT WE'LL HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE WHO KNEW HIM BEST, HIS FAMILY.

VAL>> THESE STORIES COMING UP NEXT ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT.

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.

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 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
UNDERWRITING THE SPANISH LANGUAGE TRANSLATION OF LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT.

VAL>> GOOD EVENING, I'M VAL ZAVALA.

JESS>> AND I'M JESS MARLOW.

WITH SO MANY OTHER THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR? HERE TO PONDER THAT AND OTHER QUESTIONS TONIGHT ARE HUGH HEWITT AND KERMAN MADDOX, AND OUR GUEST FOR THE EVENING, SECRETARY OF STATE, BILL JONES.

HOW AT THIS TIME CAN YOU GET PEOPLE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR?

BILL JONES>> WELL, THIS PAST WEEK, ALL CALIFORNIANS ARE TRULY SHOCKED, GLUED TO THE TELEVISION, CONCERNED, CONTRIBUTING BLOOD. THOSE ARE THE ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PAST WEEK.

JESS>> BUT YOU'VE STILL GOT TO RUN?

BILL JONES>> WELL, WE DO, BUT THE ELECTION WILL COME SOON ENOUGH. WE ALL NEED TO STOP AND MAKE SURE THAT WE COME TOGETHER AT THIS NATIONAL TIME OF MOURNING, AS THE PRESIDENT HAS STATED. BUT BEYOND THAT, WE ARE OUT TALKING TO PEOPLE, WE'RE DOING SHOWS, WE'RE DISCUSSING THE FUTURE OF CALIFORNIA BECAUSE, AS THE PRESIDENT ALSO SAYS, WE HAVE TO MOVE ON AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THIS CAMPAIGN.

KERMAN>> IT'S GOT TO BE TOUGH, THOUGH. OBVIOUSLY, YOU'RE TRYING TO GET THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION. YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BILL SIMON AND MAYOR RICHARD RIORDAN, FORMER MAYOR OF L.A., THINKING ABOUT RUNNING. LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT FORMER MAYOR RIORDAN. IF HE RUNS FOR GOVERNOR, WHAT EFFECT DOES THAT HAVE ON YOUR CAMPAIGN?

BILL JONES>> WELL, I WELCOME ANY NEW REPUBLICAN TO THE RACE. MY CREDENTIALS IN THE PARTY GO BACK OVER TWENTY YEARS. WE'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND WORKED HARD FOR THEM. I THINK WHAT WE WILL DO IS WE WILL RUN AGAINST THE OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY. AS WE ALWAYS DO, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT DIFFERENTIATE US. AND, AS WE JUST STATED, IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES, WE'LL HAVE TO DO IT WITH MODERATE TONES.

I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC IS READY FOR A BIG PARTISAN FIGHT, BUT YOU CAN STILL TALK ABOUT ISSUES, PUBLIC SAFETY, THE MAYOR'S RECORD, MY RECORD, THE FACT THAT THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE NO RECORD AT ALL FROM AN EXPERIENCE STANDPOINT. SO IT WILL BE A GOOD RACE AND I'M NOT SO SURE OUR PARTY DOESN'T NEED A PRIMARY. WE HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS WHEN THERE'S BEEN NO PRIMARY. THERE'S BEEN BASICALLY A CORONATION. SO THIS WILL BE A RACE AND I THINK THE PUBLIC WILL BE READY FOR IT WHEN IT TAKES PLACE.

KERMAN>> LET ME ASK YOU, YOU'RE THE ONLY STATEWIDE REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIAL. RARE THING IN CALIFORNIA NOWADAYS. WHY ARE REPUBLICANS NOT RUSHING TO YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR? THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF BUZZ ABOUT WHAT RICHARD RIORDAN'S GOING TO DO, BILL SIMON. WHY AREN'T THEY AGGRESSIVELY SUPPORTING YOUR CAMPAIGN?

BILL JONES>> WELL, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, I'M THE ONLY REPUBLICAN WHO'S WON STATEWIDE TWICE, LAST TIME WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF EVERY MAJOR NEWSPAPER IN THE STATE. BUT THE IMPRESSION ALWAYS IS THAT POLITICS IS ALL MONEY, TOTALLY MONEY. AND CERTAINLY THE OTHER TWO CANDIDATES ARE FINANCIALLY VERY WELL OFF. BUT AS "PRESIDENT PEROT, GOVERNOR CHUCKIE AND SENATOR HUFFINGTON" KNOW, (LAUGHTER) THAT IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE AND CALIFORNIA PEOPLE VOTE FOR PEOPLE. THE FACE OF OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO BE A BROAD MAJORITY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY, ONE SUCH AS RONALD REAGAN PUT TOGETHER IN THE MID-SIXTIES.

THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRAT STATE, BUT OUR PARTY HAS HAD SOME TOUGH ELECTIONS. WE WILL TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT ALL PEOPLE CARE ABOUT, QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES. AND, CANDIDLY, WE'RE RUNNING AGAINST GRAY DAVIS FOR GOVERNOR. ALL OF US ARE. THAT'S THE TARGET AND THAT'S WHAT THE MESSAGE IS GOING TO BE, THAT WE CAN DO BETTER IN THE 21ST CENTURY THAN $50 BILLION DOLLAR LOSSES IN THE ENERGY CRISIS THAT HE CREATED AND AN ECONOMY THAT'S SLOWING DRAMATICALLY AND LOSING JOBS TO OTHER STATES. THAT'S WHAT THE MESSAGE IS GOING TO BE AND WE WILL DO WELL WITH THAT.

VAL>> WELL, DAVIS WOULD POINT OUT HE INHERITED THE ENERGY CRISIS, BUT I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY. OUR SURPLUS IS VIRTUALLY GONE BECAUSE OF THE ENERGY CRISIS. NOW WE'RE FACING THIS TERRORIST ATTACK, WHICH IS DEVASTATING TO TOURISM AND HEAVEN KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF OUR ECONOMY. WHAT WILL YOU DO TO BOLSTER THE CALIFORNIA ECONOMY IF YOU'RE ELECTED?

BILL JONES>> WELL, TO BEGIN WITH, GOING TO YOUR POINT ON THE ENERGY, YES, THE GOVERNOR NOR I PARTICIPATED IN THE ORIGINAL DEREGULATION VOTE. HE INHERITED AN ENERGY PROBLEM. HE TURNED IT INTO A CRISIS BY PROCRASTINATION AND TIMIDITY AND THE PUBLIC CLEARLY KNOWS THAT. WHETHER THERE ARE BLACKOUTS OR NOT, THE BILLS ARE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED, PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS. 

GOING TO YOUR POINT OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, TALKING WITH PETER EUBERROTH THE OTHER DAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND REVIEW THE COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL REPORT THAT WE DID IN '92 WHEN I WAS LEADER IN THE LOWER HOUSE IN SACRAMENTO. WHEN WE HAD A RECESSION, AS YOU REMEMBER, WE LOST A LOT OF JOBS. CALIFORNIA WAS NOT COMPETITIVE. A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES ARE STILL CURRENT AND WE NEED TO BRING THOSE FORWARD TO BUILD ON QUESTIONS LIKE REFORMING WORKERS' COMPENSATION AGAIN. WE HAD TO DO THAT IN THE EARLY 90'S. IT'S NOW GOTTEN VERY EXPENSIVE, ALMOST PROHIBITIVE ON THE PART OF THE BUSINESS. IT'S DRIVING JOBS OUT. LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL RED TAPE THAT WE CAN CUT AND BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE. 

AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, I THINK, WE NEED TO SHOW THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT JOBS AGAIN. WHAT HAPPENS SO OFTEN IN THE LEGISLATURE IS THEY GET ARROGANT ABOUT THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS DO BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE. THIS GOVERNOR TOOK US FROM A $20 BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS, LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AND A HIGH CREDIT RATING TO JUST THE REVERSE. WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT A $5 BILLION TO $6 BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT NEXT YEAR, UNEMPLOYMENT RISING, AND THE LOWEST CREDIT RATING IN OVER TEN YEARS. THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT WE'LL DELIVER AND WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT, I THINK, AS A REPUBLICAN PARTY.

HUGH>> MR. SECRETARY, YOU'RE REALLY IN A BOX BECAUSE I LOVE POLITICS AS MUCH AS ANYONE. I HAVE NO TASTE FOR IT RIGHT NOW. I DON'T THINK THE STATE HAS ANY TASTE FOR IT. IT'S JUST KIND OF WORDS. WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN IS, YOUR KIND OF JOHN MCCAIN'S GUY IN THIS STATE. YOU RAN HIS CAMPAIGN WHEN HE WAS CAMPAIGNING AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. BUT NOW WE HAVE THE PRESIDENT IN A CRISIS, IN WARTIME. WHAT'S YOUR ESTIMATE OF GEORGE BUSH IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS?

BILL JONES>> I THINK HE'S DONE A VERY FINE JOB. I THINK WHAT HE'S DONE IS HE'S PRESENTED THE FACE OF THE COUNTRY IN A WAY THAT WE ARE ALL MOURNING TOGETHER. IT'S BEEN A VERY SENSITIVE, REAL FEELING. IT HASN'T BEEN CONTRIVED OR PUT ON. HE IS FEELING THAT PAIN OF NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON.

BEYOND THAT, HE'S SEEN IT COMING TOGETHER ON THE PART OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. SENATOR MCCAIN AND OTHERS, EVERYONE SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. NOW HE HAS A GREAT CHALLENGE, THE PRESIDENT DOES, CERTAINLY, AS WE'RE ALL AWARE, AND THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO GIVE HIM SOME TIME TO SORT THAT OUT. WE HAVE TO BE PATIENT. THIS IS A NEW WAR AND IT'S A NEW KIND OF WAR, BUT IT IS A WAR.

HUGH>> SENATOR MCCAIN WAS ON THE PHONE WITH YOU YESTERDAY, THURSDAY. WHAT DID HE HAVE TO SAY?

BILL JONES>> WELL, HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT, OF COURSE, THE AIRLINES SITUATION. HE WAS HEAD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE LOOKING AT THE DIRE STRAITS THE AIRLINES ARE IN, SOME BECAUSE OF PRIOR TO THIS DISASTER, BUT MORE SO NOW, TALKING ABOUT SECURITY, TALKING ABOUT THE BROADER ISSUES OF SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT. HE WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE LAST NIGHT WAS GOING TO BE ONE OF COMING TOGETHER, BUT ALSO A VERY DELIBERATE AND DECISIVE MESSAGE THAT THIS WILL NOT STAND, AS THE PRESIDENT SAID, AND I THINK ALL AMERICANS ARE THERE.

THE MESSAGE TO THE WORLD IS, THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US, BUT WE ARE THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISM. AND I'LL TELL YOU THIS. THE TERRORIST ATTACK WAS AN ATTACK ON THE VOTE. IT WAS AN ATTACK ON OUR FREEDOM. SO EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN CALIFORNIA SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S NO EXCUSE NOT TO REGISTER AND NOT TO VOTE.

SO GOING TO YOUR POINT, HUGH, ABOUT, WELL, PEOPLE AREN'T INTERESTED IN POLITICS. THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED IN POLITICS, BUT CLEARLY, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S POSSIBLY 6,000-PLUS PEOPLE THAT NOW WILL NEVER HAVE A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR GREAT SYSTEM AGAIN. THEY PAID A TREMENDOUS PRICE. WE ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR THE WORLD AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE THAT THE REST NEED TO PICK UP THE FLAG AND CARRY IT, REGISTER AND VOTE, AND PARTICIPATE.

VAL>> SO YOU'RE SAYING THIS WAVE OF PATRIOTISM ACTUALLY MIGHT END UP IN MORE INTEREST IN POLITICS OR AT LEAST IN DEMOCRACY?

BILL JONES>> YOU KNOW, POLITICS HAS A BAD NAME TO IT. I'M TALKING ABOUT DEMOCRACY AS A POSITIVE. BUT IF WE DO NOT ENGAGE, IF WE DO NOT VOTE, IF WE DON'T PARTICIPATE, THEN THE REST OF THE WORLD SUFFERS AND I THINK THE TERRORISTS WIN BECAUSE WHAT THEY'VE DONE IS THEY'VE PUSHED US AWAY FROM THE VERY PRINCIPLES THAT THEY DESPISE AND THEY'VE PUSHED US AWAY FROM WHAT WE REALLY ARE AS AMERICANS, WHICH IS ONE PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT RACE, RELIGION OR COLOR WE ARE.

AND I WILL TELL YOU, IT'S CLEAR TOO WE WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT HATE CRIMES. WE WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT GOING AFTER PEOPLE THAT DON'T LOOK LIKE US, IF YOU WILL. IF WAS IN SACRAMENTO THE OTHER DAY WITH SOME SIKHS AND THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED. THE MESSAGE THE PRESIDENT GAVE IN TALKING ABOUT THE MUSLIM FAITH. NO RELIGION CONDONES WHAT WENT ON. THESE ARE ACTS OF SUICIDAL TERRORISTS THAT HATE AMERICA AND HATE WHAT WE BELIEVE IN. OUR MESSAGE SHOULD BE WE ARE COME TOGETHER AS ONE. WE'RE NOT TALKING POLITICS. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PROTECTING THE REST OF THE WORLD AND THEREBY PROTECTING OURSELVES AND I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE PRESIDENT'S DONE.

JESS>> WE'VE GOT LESS THAN A MINUTE TO TALK SOME POLITICS. MAYOR RIORDAN, HIS AGE AND HIS RECENT BATTLE WITH PROSTATE CANCER. ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN?

BILL JONES>> NO. I THINK THAT THE PUBLIC WILL HEAR FROM US ISSUES ON PUBLIC SAFETY. I LED THE FIGHT TO PASS THREE-STRIKES AND I BELIEVE IT'S THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MEASURE. IT'S REDUCED CRIME BY TWICE OVER THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. I'LL COMPARE THAT WITH THE MAYOR'S RECORD ON PUBLIC SAFETY IN LOS ANGELES. WE'LL TALK ABOUT EDUCATION. YOU KNOW, WE'LL TALK ABOUT JOBS, GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE. WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT I'VE LED ON AND WHAT THE MAYOR HAS DONE. WE'LL TALK ABOUT ISSUES, BUT WE WILL NOT TALK ABOUT PERSONALITIES. I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR THE MAYOR AND I WISH HIM WELL.

KERMAN>> SECRETARY, I JUST HAVE TO ASK YOU, AS YOU SAY, YOU'RE ALL CAMPAIGNING AGAINST GRAY DAVIS. IN YOUR OPINION, WHERE IS GRAY DAVIS MOST VULNERABLE?

BILL JONES>> LEADERSHIP, ETHICS. THE FACT THAT HE HAS NOT DISCLOSED THAT THE HUGE AMOUNT OF POWER THAT'S BEEN BOUGHT BY CONSULTANTS THAT HE DID NOT REQUIRE FILE A STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTEREST. WE FIND THAT THEY HAVE OWNERSHIP IN THE VERY COMPANIES THAT ARE BUYING POWER ON OUR BEHALF. HE HAS A LEADERSHIP CRISIS AND HE HAS AN ETHICAL CRISIS AND THAT'S THE REASON HE'S BELOW FIFTY PERCENT IN THE POLLS AND I THINK THAT'S THE REASON THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO GO SHOPPING FOR A NEW GOVERNOR NEXT YEAR IN CALIFORNIA.

VAL>> SECRETARY OF STATE, BILL JONES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

BILL JONES>> THANK YOU. MY PLEASURE.

VAL>> COMING UP NEXT, HUGH AND KERMAN TAKE ON THE MAJOR QUESTION OF THE DAY. WHAT HAPPENS HERE AT HOME IF AMERICA GOES TO WAR?

JESS>> THIS WEEK WE HEARD THE PRESIDENT CALL ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO BE PATIENT. THE WAR ON TERRORISM WILL NOT BE JUST ONE BATTLE, HE SAYS, AND IT WILL NOT BE OVER FOR A LONG TIME.

VAL>> IN THE MEANTIME, THE ECONOMY IS TAKING A MAJOR HIT FROM WALL STREET TO THE AIRLINES TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY AND EVERYBODY IS NERVOUS.

JESS>> SO, HUGH AND KERMAN, LOOK INTO YOUR CRYSTAL BALL. TELL US WHAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING?

HUGH>> WELL, I THINK I WANT TO START OFF WITH SOMETHING SECRETARY OF STATE, BILL JONES, SAID. HE'S BEEN A VERY GOOD SECRETARY OF STATE, BUT HE HOPES THAT HE CAN GET POLITICS BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE DISCUSSION OF IT. IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD.

JOHN CAMPBELL, THE ASSEMBLYMAN FROM ORANGE COUNTY, WAS ON MY RADIO SHOW THIS WEEK. JOHN'S HAD THE FIRST BILL TO INTRODUCE AFTER THEY CAME BACK, AFTER THEY CAME INTO SESSION. HE TOLD THE STORY OF HOW HE LOOKED AND HE SAID, "YOU KNOW WHAT? THEY WERE TRYING TO KILL DEMOCRACY, SO LET'S HAVE AT IT" AND THEY WENT AT IT. THEY INTRODUCED THE BILL, THEY FOUGHT TOOTH AND NAIL RIGHT THROUGH THE END OF THE SESSION, THE EDISON BAILOUT BILL FAILED, GRAY DAVIS IS FIGHTING WITH JOHN BURTON. THEY'RE TRYING, BUT THERE'S NO WIND BEHIND THOSE SAILS. HE WAS PASSIONATE, TALKING ABOUT VOTING. HE'S VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT, BUT I'LL TELL YOU, THERE ISN'T MUCH TRACTION FOR WHAT I USED TO LOVE TO DO AND I WILL LOVE TO DO AGAIN, BUT IT'S A LITTLE TOO SOON.

KERMAN>> I THINK HE'S GOT A BIG DILEMMA. FIRST OF ALL, HE'S NOT RAISING ANY MONEY. HIS NAME ID IS VERY, VERY LOW. THE PROBLEM IS, AMERICANS ARE TOTALLY PREOCCUPIED WITH THE RECENT TERRORIST ATTACKS AND, YOU'RE RIGHT, NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS AT THIS POINT. THE PRIMARY IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, MARCH OF 2002. AS NICE AS HE IS, AND HE'S A VERY SMART GUY, AND I DO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THREE-STRIKES, I DON'T SEE, HUGH, HOW HE'S ABLE TO PUT IT TOGETHER AND RUN A CREDIBLE CAMPAIGN AND POSSIBLY EVEN GET CLOSE TO WINNING THE NOMINATION BY MARCH OF 2002.

HUGH>> WELL, IT'S TOUGH. HE'S GOT A LOT OF IOU'S OUT, THOUGH. HE'S WORKED HARD ON BEHALF OF PARTY PEOPLE FOR A LONG TIME. EVERYBODY LIKES BILL JONES. THERE ISN'T ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T LIKE BILL JONES. IT'S A $20 MILLION DOLLAR PROM NOTE BECAUSE WILLIAM SIMON IS A VERY LIKABLE GUY AND HE'S GOT $20 MILLION BUCKS AND DICK RIORDAN --

VAL>> -- HE'S GOING TO BE ON THE SHOW NEXT WEEK.

HUGH>> NEXT WEEK. DICK RIORDAN IS A VERY LIKABLE GUY AND HE'S GOT $20 MILLION DOLLARS. BILL JONES IS A VERY LIKABLE GUY AND HE'S GOT $2 MILLION DOLLARS, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

JESS>> WELL, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THEY THOUGHT MCCAIN WOULD BE A STONE HUNG AROUND HIS NECK. THAT'S NOT TRUE ANY MORE, IS IT?

HUGH>> NO, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE ELECTION. HE'S ON THE PRESIDENT'S TEAM. HE'S PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

JESS>> WELL, AND MCCAIN HAS REHABILITATED HIMSELF WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TOO, HASN'T HE?

HUGH>> VERY MUCH SO. IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF STATE WIDE AD BUYS. I MEAN, YOU GOT TO GO TEN TIMES THE DISTANCE OF FUNDRAISING WHEN THESE OTHER TWO GIANTS ARE OUT THERE WITH THE BIG MONEY, SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY TOUGH.

VAL>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE REAL ISSUES WILL BE COME MARCH? I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY RIGHT NOW, WE'RE TERRIBLY PREOCCUPIED BY THE TRAGEDY AND THE CRISIS, BUT COME MARCH --

KERMAN>> -- NOW, BILL JONES SAYS IT'S GOING TO BE LEADERSHIP AND SOME OF THOSE OTHER THINGS. I JUST DON'T KNOW IF THOSE ARE BIG ENOUGH ISSUES THAT RESONATE WITH THE VOTERS AT HOME. YEAH, GRAY DAVIS'S NUMBERS ARE BELOW FIFTY PERCENT, BUT ACCORDING TO EVERY POLL THAT I'VE SEEN, HE'S AHEAD OF BILL JONES, HE AHEAD OF BILL SIMON, HE'S AHEAD OF RICHARD RIORDAN --

VAL>> -- DAVIS IS?

KERMAN>> DAVIS IS, WHEN YOU MATCH THEM UP ONE TO ONE. SO I THINK GRAY DAVIS IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. I KNOW REPUBLICANS WERE HOPING FOR A LOT OF MAJOR BLACKOUTS THIS SUMMER. I JUST DIDN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO ATTACK GRAY DAVIS RIGHT NOW AND GAIN TRACTION BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S FOCUSED ON THE RECENT TERRORIST ATTACKS.

JESS>> IS CRIME GOING TO BE A BIG ISSUE?

KERMAN>> I THINK CRIME IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A BIG ISSUE, BUT LET ME SAY SOMETHING ABOUT CRIME. WHAT HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY DURING THE PAST TEN DAYS IS THE REDUCTION IN CRIME IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. IF MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS ANY INDICATION, I GOT TO TELL YOU, I'VE NOT HEARD THE HELICOPTERS ONCE, I'VE NOT SEEN THE CARS DRIVING AROUND THE STREET WITH THEIR SIRENS ON, I'VE NOT SEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF YELLOW TAPE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. I GUESS MAYBE THE CRIMINALS HAVE TAKEN TIME OFF. BUT IT'S BEEN PHENOMENAL THE EFFECT IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. CRIME HAS ACTUALLY DISAPPEARED DURING THE LAST TEN OR ELEVEN DAYS.

VAL>> IS THAT STATISTICAL OR ANECDOTAL FROM YOUR --

KERMAN>> -- WELL, I THINK IT'S STATISTICAL. LAPD HAS KEPT REPORTS. THE L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS KEPT REPORTS. THERE HAVE BEEN ARTICLES IN THE DAILY NEWS AS WELL AS THE L.A. TIMES THAT SAY CRIME HAS GONE DOWN DRAMATICALLY DURING THE PAST TEN OR ELEVEN DAYS.

HUGH>> YOU KNOW, TEN YEARS AGO AFTER THE RIOTS, THERE WAS A FEAR THAT DROVE PEOPLE APART. NOW THERE'S A COMMON FEAR WHICH IS ACTUALLY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND IT'S THE FEAR OF THE OUTSIDER AND THE UNPREDICTABLE AND VERY RANDOM KIND OF TERROR THAT HAS BEEN INFLICTED UPON THE UNITED STATES.

JESS>> WE SEE THAT IN ALL THE DISPLAYS OF PATRIOTISM.

HUGH>> YOU BET YOU DO --

JESS>> -- THE FLAG IS EVERYWHERE.

HUGH>> IT'S A REMARKABLE DIFFERENCE FROM TEN YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WAS FEAR OF EVERYONE AMONG OURSELVES. IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT SENSE RIGHT NOW.

KERMAN>> SPEAKING OF THE FLAG BEING EVERYWHERE, THERE'S SOMETHING I'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST WEEK THAT IS JUST SOMETHING THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN IN MY COMMUNITY. MOST PEOPLE KNOW I LIVE IN THE CRENSHAW COMMUNITY. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF LOW-RIDERS, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF GUYS WHERE THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THEY ARE GANGBANGERS. WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS, THEY'VE TAKEN THE AMERICAN FLAG AND THE AMERICAN FLAG IS ON THEIR CAR. IT'S ON THE HOOD, IT'S ON THE SIDE OF THE DOOR, IT'S ON THE ANTENNA. PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD THINK WOULD NOT BE VERY PATRIOTIC. THIS WHOLE THING THAT HAPPENED IN NEW YORK HAS JUST BOUND EVERYBODY TOGETHER.

HUGH>> HOW DEEP IS IT GOING? HERE'S A QUESTION FOR YOU THREE. L.A. IS BIDDING FOR THE 2012 GAMES LED BY THE VERY ABLE JOHN ARGUE --

VAL>> -- OLYMPIC GAMES.

HUGH>> YES. SO IS NEW YORK. SO ARE SEVEN OTHER CITIES. OUGHT NOT L.A. AND SAN FRANCISCO AND HOUSTON TO WITHDRAW THEIR BIDS IN DEFERENCE TO NEW YORK?

VAL>> IN FACT, THERE WAS ALREADY AN ARTICLE. I FOUND ONE IN THE PAPERS SAYING THAT WE SHOULD -- THAT ALL CITIES BESIDES NEW YORK SHOULD STEP BACK, THAT IT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS SYMBOL OF REVIVAL AND SPIRIT TO HAVE THE OLYMPICS IN NEW YORK --

HUGH>> -- I WROTE THAT DOWN. I WROTE THAT ARTICLE (LAUGHTER) -- BUT ROME HAS ALREADY DONE SO. ROME IS AHEAD OF LOS ANGELES. ROME IN THE NEW YORK TIMES TODAY SAID WE DON'T WANT THE OLYMPICS. THEY SHOULD GO TO NEW YORK AS A REBUKE TO BARBARISM ON THE PART OF CIVILIZATION. WOULD YOU SUPPORT THAT? DO YOU THINK --

KERMAN>> -- I WOULD SUPPORT THAT. OBVIOUSLY, A LOT OF PEOPLE IN L.A. HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE ORGANIZING EFFORT, BUT I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD THINK THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD THING TO DO AND IT'S A GREAT MESSAGE TO SEND. SO I WOULD SUPPORT THAT.

VAL>> YEAH, IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE GULP, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD, AND YOU SEE A LOT OF MONEY ATTACHED TO THAT.

HUGH>> BUT TALK ABOUT MONEY, TALK ABOUT PHYSICAL LOSS. NEW YORK SUFFERED A DEVASTATION THAT'S INCREDIBLE. SO HAVE, BY THE WAY, IN OUR COMMUNITIES. PEOPLE WHO WORK AT AIRPORTS, PEOPLE WHO WORK AT SHOPPING MALLS. THERE'S A LOT OF ECONOMIC HAVOC --

VAL>> -- TRAVEL AGENCIES ARE TAKING A TERRIBLE HIT.

HUGH>> TRAVEL BLOWN OUT TO ZERO.

JESS>> THIS IS THE EVENT THAT WILL MARK THE NEXT FEW YEARS, WE SUSPECT.

HUGH>> WELL, LET ME ASK KERMAN, AMONG DEMOCRATS, ARE THEY RALLYING TO THE PRESIDENT? HE'S DONE A FINE JOB IN MY ESTIMATE AND I THINK HE'S GOT ABOUT NINETY PERCENT APPROVAL RATINGS. STATISTICALLY, HE CAN'T GO MUCH HIGHER.

KERMAN>> LET ME TELL YOU, THE FIRST TWO DAYS, I THOUGHT THE PRESIDENT DID NOT DO A GOOD JOB. BUT I'LL BE HONEST, I THINK FRIDAY OF LAST WEEK, HE KIND OF GAINED TRACTION. I THINK HE'S DONE A VERY GOOD JOB SINCE FRIDAY OF LAST WEEK. MOST PEOPLE THAT I'VE TALKED TO WHO DID NOT VOTE FOR GEORGE W. BUSH SEEMS TO THINK HE GOT IT TOGETHER, HE'S DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB. I HAVE FOUND NOTHING BUT SUPPORT FOR GEORGE W. BUSH.

JESS>> AS SOMEONE WROTE, HE HAS FOUND HIS VOICE.

KERMAN>> HE'S FOUND HIS FOOTING TOO. I THINK HE'S COMFORTABLE NOW. I DON'T THINK HE WAS COMFORTABLE THE FIRST 48 HOURS, BUT I THINK MOST PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK HE'S DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB. DOESN'T MATTER ABOUT YOUR POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION.

VAL>> I STILL HERE PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED THAT HE HAS A VERY GOOD TEAM, BUT THE QUARTERBACK IS WEAK. THAT'S NOT MY OPINION, BUT I STILL HEAR THAT OPINION EXPRESSED.

KERMAN>> I'VE HEARD THAT.

VAL>> BUT THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT BIPARTISAN RULES THE AIR THESE DAYS.

HUGH>> HAVE THEM CALL ME, VAL. THEY'RE WRONG. (LAUGHTER)

VAL>> (LAUGHTER) CALL YOU.

KERMAN>> WHAT A GREAT TEAM. A GOOD TEAM AT THIS POINT.

VAL>> VERY GOOD TEAM, VERY GOOD TEAM.

JESS>> WELL, THE WEEK HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT ONE FOR EVERYBODY. THE LAST TWO WEEKS HAVE BEEN, THAT'S FOR SURE.

VAL>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, GENTLEMEN. HUGH AND KERMAN, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

COMING UP ON MONDAY, A LOOK AT A SURPRISING HEALTH PROBLEM FOR MANY OLDER AMERICANS. WOULD YOU BELIEVE, THE AIDS VIRUS? YOU'LL SEE HOW YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD FOR SAFE SEX.

AND STILL AHEAD TONIGHT, THE STORY OF A JAZZ LEGEND.

JESS>> BUT FIRST IT'S TIME NOW TO HEAR FROM OUR VIEWERS. LAST NIGHT WE TALKED ABOUT HOW MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN TARGETED FOR HATE CRIMES BECAUSE OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS. MANY OF YOU WROTE TO SAY YOU'RE OFFENDED BY THOSE ACTIONS. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT STUDENT, DAVID LANE, SAYS:

"THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS HORRIFIC TRAGEDY ARE FANATICS AND DO NOT REPRESENT ISLAM IN ANY WAY, OR ANY MORE THAN A FANATIC LIKE JIM JONES REPRESENTED CHRISTIANITY."

VAL>> AND ON TUESDAY, WE TALKED ABOUT THE FINE LINE THAT COMEDIANS TREAD IN RETURNING TO WORK AFTER SUCH A TRAGEDY. WELL, TIM WESTON OF TOPANGA DIDN'T APPRECIATE THE JOKES FROM OUR GUEST COMEDIAN, ARGUS HAMILTON. WESTON WRITES:

"HE'S ON THE FIRST USO TOUR INTO AFGHANISTAN AND HE'D BETTER HAVE NEW MATERIAL. WE ALSO CAN'T GUARANTEE HIS SECURITY. THE IGNORANT FOOL."

VAL>> OH, OUR VIEWERS, THEY'RE NEVER SHY. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK. WRITE US VIA E-MAIL, ALL ONE WORD, TO LIFEANDTIMES@KCET.ORG, AND HERE ARE THE OTHERS WAYS YOU CAN REACH US:

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

JESS>> THIS SUNDAY MARKS THE 75TH BIRTHDAY OF JAZZ GREAT, JOHN COLTRANE. JOHN COLTRANE DIED IN 1967, BUT HE IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL JAZZ MUSICIANS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. 

VAL>> COLTRANE PLAYED SAXOPHONE WITH DIZZY GILLESPIE, MILES DAVIS AND THELONIOUS MONK BEFORE STARTING HIS OWN QUARTET IN 1960. HERE'S A SMALL SAMPLE OF HIS WORK.

[FILM CLIP]

VAL>> HIS FIRST MAINSTREAM HIT CAME A YEAR LATER WITH "MY FAVORITE THINGS" AND THE PIANIST WHO EVENTUALLY JOINED THE JOHN COLTRANE QUARTET IS WITH US TONIGHT. ALICE COLTRANE, ALONG WITH HER DAUGHTER, MICHELLE, WELCOME TO LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT.

ALICE COLTRANE>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

JESS>> THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR HUSBAND'S BIRTH HAS PROMPTED GREAT CELEBRATION, BUT ALSO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF --

ALICE COLTRANE>> -- YES, THE JOHN COLTRANE FOUNDATION.

VAL>> AND A SCHOLARSHIP, IS IT?

ALICE COLTRANE>> YES. IT REALLY EMBODIES OUR IDEAS TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE. WE FEEL THEY DESERVE IT AND MANY OF THEM DON'T HAVE OPPORTUNITIES LIKE MAYBE IF THEY'RE IN ANOTHER IDIOM OF THEIR MUSICAL CAREER. THEY WOULDN'T OFTEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES OF CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS.

JESS>> MUSIC IS SOMETHING THAT RAN THROUGH YOUR FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS AND YOUR DAUGHTER SHARES THAT AS WELL. INTERESTING THING TO MANY OF US IS, JOHN COLTRANE DIED 37 YEARS AGO, BUT HIS MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE. IT'S IN FILM, IT'S ON TELEVISION, IT'S PLAYED ON RADIO, IT STILL IS AS FRESH AS IT WAS FORTY YEARS AGO.

VAL>> WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS TIMELESS? WHAT DO YOU THINK IT'S ABOUT? IS IT ABOUT THE WAY HE PLAYED, WHAT HE PLAYED? WHAT MAKES IT TIMELESS?

MICHELLE COLTRANE>> I WOULD JUST BELIEVE THAT IT WAS HIS COMMITMENT TO THE MUSIC, THAT HE WAS COMPLETELY DEVOTED. HIS SPIRITUALITY PLAYED A BIG PART IN HIS MUSIC. HE WAS AN INNOVATOR AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE STRIVE FOR, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T MAKE IT AS FAR AS THEY'D LIKE TO IN THAT.

JESS>> THERE ARE SCORES OF MUSICIANS WHO TODAY STILL CONSIDER COLTRANE TO BE THE MASTER, THE ONE WHO TAUGHT THEM, THE ONE WHO LED THEM. ARE YOUNG PEOPLE STILL AS INTERESTED TODAY?

ALICE COLTRANE>> YES, MANY YOUNGSTERS IN THE JAZZ IDIOM. ALSO I KNOW OF OTHER MUSICIANS THAT ARE NOT IN THAT FIELD AT ALL, BUT THEY FELT INSPIRED. THEY'VE TOLD US, GROUPS LIKE U-2, SANTANA, THAT THEY'RE INSPIRED BY JOHN COLTRANE. EVEN PEOPLE NOT IN MUSIC. ATHLETES LIKE KAREEM ABDUL JABAR. HE SAID HE WAS SO INSPIRED THROUGHOUT HIS YEARS AS A YOUNGSTER IN COLLEGE. HE EVEN STATED IN HIS BOOK THAT THIS IS HOW HE GOT THROUGH HIS YEARS OF WHEN HE WAS STUDYING.

VAL>> YOU KNOW, WE KNOW HIS MUSIC, WE KNOW HIS STORY, HE DEALT WITH DRUGS, HE OVERCAME THAT, HE STILL DIED YOUNG. BUT WHAT WAS HIS PERSONALITY LIKE?

ALICE COLTRANE>> QUIET. HE WAS SUCH A QUIET MAN. HE WAS A MAN WHO WAS NOT JUDGMENTAL TOWARD ANYONE AND HE APPRECIATED WHATEVER YOUR ART OR YOUR WORK OR WHATEVER YOUR FIELD WAS. BECAUSE HE FELT THAT, IF YOU WORKED TO ACCOMPLISH WHATEVER YOU NEEDED, YOU HAD TO ENGAGE WITH SOME KIND OF DISCIPLINE, SO THAT'S WHAT HE LOOKED AT. THAT NO MATTER -- OH, WE DON'T LIKE THIS STYLE OF MUSIC OR THAT -- HE KNOWS THAT DISCIPLINE HAD TO BE A PART OF IT AND COMMITMENT HAD TO BE A PART OF IT, SO HE COMPLIMENTED EVERYONE, HE APPRECIATED EVERYONE'S MUSIC.

VAL>> MICHELLE, WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM HIM PERSONALLY?

MICHELLE COLTRANE>> WELL, I LEARNED THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF BEING A HUMAN BEING AND AN ARTIST IS TO BE YOURSELF, THAT YOU SHOULD TRULY STRIVE TO LOOK INTO YOUR HEART AND BE YOURSELF. DO YOU FEEL, PLAY WHAT YOU FEEL. I THINK THAT HAS WHAT'S MADE MY FATHER'S CONTRIBUTION SO GREAT.

VAL>> SO EVEN THOUGH YOU LEARN FROM OTHERS, YOU'RE INSPIRED BY OTHERS, IN THE END, YOU HAVE TO REACH DOWN INTO THE INDIVIDUALITY.

MICHELLE COLTRANE>> ABSOLUTELY.

JESS>> IT'S GOT TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE FOR ANY STUDENT WHO WINS A COLTRANE SCHOLARSHIP TO GO TO SCHOOL AS A COLTRANE SCHOLAR AND NOT DO WELL.

ALICE COLTRANE>> WE HOPE THAT THEY WOULD BE INSPIRED BECAUSE WE'VE FOUND MANY TALENTED YOUNGSTERS. YOU'D BE SURPRISED. I MEAN, THEY'RE REALLY GOOD. THEY HAVE A GOOD FUTURE AHEAD OF THEM AND WE JUST WANT TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK, A SMALL CONTRIBUTION BACK TO THE MUSICAL COMMUNITY.

VAL>> WHAT DO YOU THINK HE'D BE DOING IF HE WERE ALIVE TODAY? HE'D BE 75.

MICHELLE COLTRANE>> I OFTEN THINK ABOUT THAT.

JESS>> HE WOULDN'T BE DOING RAP. (LAUGHTER) THEN AGAIN, MAYBE HE WOULD.

ALICE COLTRANE>> WHO KNOWS? HE NEVER DOWNGRADED ANYONE AND HE WAS ALWAYS SEARCHING, SEARCHING, ALWAYS EXPERIMENTING.

VAL>> KIND OF A SPIRITUAL DESIRE? HE WAS A SEEKER?

ALICE COLTRANE>> OH, YES. HE WAS DEFINITELY A TRUE SEEKER. HE WAS ENGAGED WITH YOGA. HE LOVED TO MEDITATE.

VAL>> EVEN BACK BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

MICHELLE COLTRANE>> AND MY MOM TOO. EVEN BEFORE IT WAS POPULAR.

ALICE COLTRANE>> I WAS VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN YOGA AND MEDITATION. I TRAVELED TO INDIA MANY TIMES.

VAL>> HE WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME.

ALICE COLTRANE>> YES.

VAL>> WELL, THANK YOU, BOTH OF YOU.

ALICE COLTRANE>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVITATION AND INVITING US HERE. I THINK YOU TWO ARE SO GREAT. I SEE YOUR PROGRAM MANY TIMES. CONTINUE TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

VAL>> HOW SWEET OF YOU TO SAY SO.

JESS>> THANK YOU.

VAL>> ALICE COLTRANE, MICHELLE COLTRANE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JESS>> THERE WILL BE A 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TO BENEFIT THE JOHN COLTRANE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM NEXT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29. CALL THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN, 818-226-9991, FOR TICKET INFORMATION OR CHECK THE WEBSITE WWW.COLTRANEFEST.COM.

VAL>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR THIS EVENING. WE'RE GETTING OUR FINAL COUNTDOWN. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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