GOPers Claim Softened Immigration Stance in Bid to Win Florida Latino Vote, But Key Issues IgnoredDemocracy Now - 27 Jan 2012Both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich have been trying to court Florida?s Latino voters ahead of next week?s primary. Romney has launched Spanish-language ads highlighting Gingrich?s remarks in a 2007 speech in which he suggested Spanish was a “language of the ghetto.” Meanwhile Gingrich has released an ad accusing Romney of being the most anti-immigrant candidate in the Republican field. We?re joined by Marcos Restrepo, a reporter with the Florida Independent. “The rhetoric that?s been coming out about immigrants only worried about immigration ? that it?s the only issue that really hits home with Latino and Latino voters ? that?s not true,” Restrepo says. “I live here in South Florida and we are having a hard time with issues such as jobs, unemployment, education and housing.” Restrepo says the candidates should also address the DREAM Act and the free trade agreements with Central and South American nations. [Rush transcript to come. Check back soon.]
Gingrich’s Extremist Anti-Palestinian Stance Follows Millions from Casino Magnate Sheldon AdelsonDemocracy Now - 27 Jan 2012Many analysts say Newt Gingrich’s recent rise in the Republican contest would have been impossible without the backing of one man: multi-billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Adelson and his wife have donated $10 million to the pro-Gingrich super PAC, Winning Our Future, which has run a series of ads attacking Gingrich’s opponent Mitt Romney. Gingrich has openly admitted Adelson’s support came down to a single issue: Israel. Gingrich has adopted the most extremist anti-Palestinian stance of the Republican presidential field, calling the Palestinians themselves an “invented” people. We speak with Gal Beckerman of the Jewish Daily Forward and Linda Sarsour of the Arab American Association of New York. [Rush transcript to come. Check back soon.]
NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly Urged to Resign After Police Conceal Role in Anti-Muslim DocumentaryDemocracy Now - 27 Jan 2012Representatives from the New York City Muslim community, together with local ethnic and interfaith groups, gathered at City Hall Thursday calling for the resignation of New York City Police Department Commissioner Raymond Kelly and police spokesperson Paul Browne after it was revealed an anti-Muslim film, “The Third Jihad,” was screened to nearly 1,500 officers during training. After initial denials, the NYPD admitted the officers were shown the film in training and that Kelly gave the filmmakers a 90-minute interview. Kelly has now apologized. The controversy comes at a time when relations between the police and the Muslim community are already strained due to recent revelations that the police department has operated a secret surveillance program targeting Muslim neighborhoods. We speak with Arab-American activist Linda Sarsour, who was honored last month at the White House as a “Champion of Change.” [includes rush transcript]
Headlines for January 27, 2012Democracy Now - 27 Jan 2012GOP Candidates Spar over Immigration, Wall Street in Florida Debate, Obama Touts Gas Drilling in Vegas, Pentagon Boosts Overall Spending Despite Short-Term Cuts, Iraq: 32 Killed in Baghdad Bombing, Iraq Mulls Legal Action over Haditha Massacre, U.S. Threatens to Stop Egyptian Military Aid over Stranded Americans, Syria: 30 Killed in “Terrifying Massacre”, Former Guatemalan Dictator Faces Trial, WSF Meets on “Capitalist Crisis, Social and Environmental Justice”, Rejecting GOP, Senate Hikes Debt Limit, Walker Aides Face New Charges, FBI Seeks App to Monitor Social Media; Twitter Can Block Tweets by Country
Glock: As Giffords Exits, a Look at the Gun Used in Tucson Rampage and Other U.S. Mass ShootingsDemocracy Now - 26 Jan 2012Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords resigned her seat this week, roughly a year after she was shot through the head during a meeting with constituents outside a Tucson supermarket. The attack left six people dead and 12 others injured. As Giffords steps down, we look at the iconic semi-automatic Glock pistol used in her attack and a number of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history. Gun-control advocates have had little success calling for restrictions on Glocks or the large-capacity ammunition magazines they can accommodate. We speak with Paul Barrett, who wrote the landmark book about the infamous weapon, “Glock: The Rise of America’s Gun.” [includes rush transcript]
Iraqis Voice Outrage as Haditha Massacre Trial Ends in No Jail Time for Accused U.S. MarinesDemocracy Now - 26 Jan 2012The last of the U.S. marines charged in the 2005 Haditha massacre of 24 Iraqi civilians, Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich, received no jail time after he pleaded guilty to dereliction of duty and avoiding charges of involuntary manslaughter. Under his sentencing, Wuterich now faces a maximum penalty of a demotion to the rank of private. The victims, including women and children, were killed when the marines burst into their homes and shot them dead in their nightclothes. Wuterich allegedly led the Haditha massacre and was the last defendant to face charges. Six other marines have had their charges dropped or dismissed, while another soldier was acquitted. ”[Iraqi] outrage is perfectly understandable,” says Tim McGirk, the Time magazine reporter who broke the story on the Haditha massacre. “Here is a case where so many Iraqis were killed, women and children, old men, and yet, what’s happened? Most of the charges have been dismissed, and Wuterich was basically given a slap on the wrist.” [includes rush transcript]
Headlines for January 26, 2012Democracy Now - 26 Jan 2012Obama Pushes Millionaire Tax in Iowa; Romney Slams SOTU Address, Romney and Gingrich Seek Florida Latino Vote, Fed Preserves Low Interest Rate, Predicts Slow Recovery, Geithner: No 2nd Term as Treasury Secretary, U.S. Could Expand Military Presence in the Philippines, Record Turnout Estimated at Egyptian Revolution Rallies, U.N.: Interim Libyan Gov’t Torturing Prisoners, Occupy Protesters Rally at Davos World Economic Forum, People’s Movements Converge for World Social Forum in Brazil, Indiana Lawmakers Pass Anti-Union Bill, Whistleblower: BP Sought to Alter Cleanup Data, Publisher Resigns After Suggesting Obama Assassination, NYPD Commissioner Apologizes for Role in Anti-Muslim Documentary, Giffords Exits Congress with Farewell Address
