As Gaza Plunges into Darkness, Israeli and Palestinian Fighters-Turned-Peace-Activists Speak Out
21 Jan 2008
The United Nations is accusing Israel of collectively punishing the Palestinian population in Gaza by cutting off fuel supplies as part of a blockade of the Gaza Strip. In the midst of the deepening crisis, we speak with Israeli and Palestinian peace activists Yonatan Shapira and Bassam Aramin. They are from a group called Combatants for Peace that is made up of former fighters from both Israel and the Occupied Territories. Shapira is a former captain in the Israeli Air Force and Black Hawk pilot squadron. Aramin was an armed member of Fatah and spent seven years in an Israeli prison. His ten-year-old daughter Abir was shot dead by an Israeli soldier last year. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for January 22, 2008
21 Jan 2008
World Stock Prices Plummet Amid Fears of Global Recession, Economist: U.S. Could Face “A Real Depression” Like in 1929, Israel Blockade Leaves Gaza In Darkness, UN Rapporteur Accuses Israel of War Crimes, Israel: “No Government Would Have Acted Differently”, Hamas Accuses Israel of Slowly Killing Off Palestinian Population, UN Report: 79% of Gaza In Poverty, Democrats Debate in South Carolina, CNN Excludes Kucinich From Debate, Clinton & Romney Win in Nevada; McCain Takes South Carolina, New Questions Raised Over Missing White House Emails, Canada Removes U.S. & Israel From Torture Watch List, 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Marked, LA Times Fires Editor For Refusing To Cut Newsroom Jobs, White Separatists Gather in Jena, Louisiana, Radio Trade Magazine Revokes Award For Conservative Talk Show Host

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968
20 Jan 2008
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He was born January 15, 1929. If he lived, he would have turned seventy-nine years old. In the early 1960s, King focused his challenge on legalized racial discrimination in the South, where police dogs and bullwhips and cattle prods were used against Southern blacks seeking the right to vote or to eat at a public lunch counter. After passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, King began challenging the nation’s fundamental priorities. He maintained that civil rights laws were empty without “human rights,” including economic rights. [includes rush transcript – partial]

“Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You with the Bill)”
17 Jan 2008
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston joins us to talk about his new book, “Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You with the Bill).” Johnston reveals how government subsidies and new regulations have quietly funneled money from the poor and the middle class to the rich and politically connected. [includes rush transcript – partial]

Kenyan Opposition to End Demonstrations, Launch Economic Boycott
17 Jan 2008
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga calls for a general strike and boycott of some of Kenya’s largest companies to continue his protest against last month’s presidential election. More than 600 people have been killed so far, hundreds of thousands displaced. We go to Nairobi to speak with Maina Kiai, the Chair of the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission, and we speak with Mukoma wa Ngugi, a Kenyan writer and activist in the U.S. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for January 18, 2008
17 Jan 2008
Israel Completely Seals Gaza Border, Blocking Humanitarian Aid, U.S. Attack Kills 2 Iraqi Women, U.S. Commander in Iraq Sees ?Five to Ten Year? Stay, Gates Backtracks on NATO Comments, Canada Puts U.S. on Torture Watch List, Pentagon Contract Awarded to Firm Employing Ex-Rumsfeld Aide, Judge OKs Nevada Hotel Caucus Sites, Leahy Endorses Obama in Democratic Race, Edwards Criticizes Obama for Reagan Admiration, ?Tonight Show? Audience Members Protest Kucinich Exclusion, Clinton Holds Nine-Point Nevada Lead, Huckabee Silent on Confederate Flag Display, Romney Questioned Over Lobbyist Claim, Conyers Introduces Anti-Vote Caging Bill, Admin Defends Alaska Oil Exploration at Polar Bear Hearing

Romney’s Bain Capital Profited Through Offshore Tax Havens, Closing U.S. Factories, Laying Off Workers
16 Jan 2008
During his campaign, Republican candidate Mitt Romney has preached a message of economic populism by vowing to fight to keep jobs in America. We take a look at Romney’s days heading up the buyout firm Bain Capital with Los Angeles Times reporter, Bob Drogin. He writes, “From 1984 until 1999, Romney led Bain Capital, a Boston-based private equity group that earned jaw-dropping profits through leveraged buyouts, debt hedge funds, offshore tax havens and other financial strategies. In some cases, Romney’s team closed U.S. factories, causing hundreds of layoffs, or pocketed huge fees shortly before companies collapsed.” [includes rush transcript]

Report: Subprime Mortgage Crisis Causing African Americans to Experience Greatest Loss of Wealth in Modern U.S. History
16 Jan 2008
A startling new report has predicted the subprime mortgage crisis will cause people of color to lose up to $213 billion, leading to the greatest loss of wealth in modern U.S. history. The figure appears in a new report from United for a Fair Economy called “Foreclosed: The State of the Dream 2008.” The group accuses mortgage lenders of deliberately targeting the poor and people of color with high-cost loans. We speak with Dedrick Muhammad, co-author of the report. [includes rush transcript]

Unemployment, Foreclosure, Deunionization: A Look at the State of the Economy and Organized Labor in Michigan
16 Jan 2008
Tuesday night’s primaries in Michigan were dominated by concern over the economy. Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the country and one of the highest foreclosure rates. Over 200,000 Michigan residents have lost manufacturing jobs since the year 2000. And the latest union contracts with the big three automakers include major concessions. We go to Detroit to speak with Chris Kutalik, a Detroit-based journalist and the editor of Labor Notes. [includes rush transcript]

Showdown in Nevada: Unions Face Off Over Casino Caucus Sites
16 Jan 2008
A federal judge is expected to rule on a lawsuit that seeks to ban caucus sites in nine Las Vegas strip hotels ahead of Nevada’s caucuses Saturday. Critics say the suit would disenfranchise the mostly Latino and female workers organized by the powerful Culinary Workers Union, which has endorsed Barack Obama. The suit was filed days after the endorsement by the Nevada State Teachers Union and several individuals backing Hillary Clinton. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for January 17, 2008
16 Jan 2008
U.S. Bombings in Iraq Increased Fivefold in 2007, Justice Dept. Warns of No Charges in Blackwater Killing of Iraqis, RTI, Unity Resources Sued for Fatal Shooting of Iraqi Civilian, 3 Palestinian Civilians Killed in Ongoing Israeli Airstrikes, Kenyan Police Fire on Protesters, Czech Republic: Deal Close on U.S. Missile Shield, Anti-Whaling Activists Captured, Held on Japanese Ship, Admin Exempts Navy from Sonar Ban, Obama Appears to Laud Reagan for Confronting 1960-70s ?Excesses?, Admin: Emails May Be Lost to ?Recycled? Tapes, Virginia Measure Would OK Firings of Non-English Speaking Workers, U.S. Abortions at Thirty-Year Low, Emergency Heating Funds Cover Just 16% of Eligible Homes, Anti-Fascist Commander Milton Wolff Dies at 92

Breaking the Sound Barrier: Democracy Now! Re-Hosts NBC Las Vegas Debate to Include Kucinich After NBC Wins Appeal to Exclude Him
15 Jan 2008
Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich was missing from the stage at last night’s Democratic debate hosted by MSNBC in Las Vegas after he lost a last-minute legal fight with the network over his participation. Last week, NBC told Kucinich that he had met the criteria for the debate. Then, less than two days later, the network changed the criteria and declared that Kucinich was no longer qualified. On Monday, a Nevada judge ordered NBC to include Kucinich, but then NBC appealed the ruling and actively fought to keep him off the stage. On Tuesday night, less than an hour before the debate, the Nevada Supreme Court sided with NBC. Democracy Now! decided to break the sound barrier and give Kucinich a chance to take part. In an exclusive broadcast, we re-broadcast excerpts of the debate and give the Ohio Congressman a chance to answer the questions he might have faced if he hadn’t been silenced. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for January 16, 2008
15 Jan 2008
Romney Wins Michigan Primary, Huckabee: Amend Consitution in ?God?s Standards?, 19 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Attack on Gaza, Sri Lanka Bombing Prompts Fears of Violent Outbreak, 3 Killed in Lebanon Bombing Targeting U.S. Vehicle, Doctors: Suharto Developing Life-Threatening Condition, Scientists Take to Hill to Protest Admin Interference in Environmental Science, FDA OKs Cloned Meat, New York Ends Solitary Confinement or Mentally-Ill Prisoners

Race, Politics, Dr. King and the Primaries in South Carolina
14 Jan 2008
On the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, we take a look at how Dr. King’s life and legacy have factored into this year’s Democratic presidential race. And we examine the upcoming Democratic primary in South Carolina, the first state to hold a primary or caucus with a sizable black population. South Carolina has a long history as a battleground in the civil rights struggle. [includes rush transcript]

EXCLUSIVE…Brother of Jailed Cameraman Sami Al-Haj Says Continued Gitmo Imprisonment Part of U.S. “Political Operation Against Al Jazeera”
14 Jan 2008
In an exclusive interview, we speak with Asim Al-Haj, the brother of jailed Al Jazeera cameraman, Sami Al-Haj. Sami has been imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay without charge for nearly six years. Speaking from Khartoum, Sudan, Asim says, “Sami Al-Haj is a victim of a political operation against Al Jazeera, which Washington does not approve of.” [includes rush transcript]

Bush Visits Saudi Arabia as U.S. Plans Sale of 900 Missiles to Kingdom
14 Jan 2008
The Bush administration has announced plans to sell Saudi Arabia around $120 million in sophisticated bombs. The sale would come as part of the White House’s $20 billion military aid package to its Gulf allies. The announcement came as President Bush began a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia for meetings with Saudi King Abdullah. We speak with Craig Unger, author of ?House of Bush, House of Saud.? [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for January 15, 2008
14 Jan 2008
Bush Pushes New Saudi Arms Deal During Visit to Kingdom, Saudi Arabia & Egypt Criticized For Jailing Dissident Bloggers, Opposition Activists Protest Bush Visit to Egypt, Israeli Forces Kill 17 Palestinians Hours After “Peace” Talks, Iraq’s Defense Minister: Foreign Troops Needed Until At Least 2018, U.S. To Send 3,2000 Marines to Afghanistan, Norwegian Journalist and Six Others Killed in Hotel Blast in Kabul, Romney Campaigns in Michigan Against Making Cars More Fuel Efficient, Judge Orders MSNBC To Allow Kucinich To Debate, Citigroup to Lay Off Up To 30,000; Sprint & EMI Plan Mass Layoffs Too, Lawmakers Probe Lucrative Severance Pay for CEOs Tied to Subprime Crisis, Greenspan to Advise Hedge Fund That Made Billions on Mortgage Crisis, Report: U.S.-Backed Exit Polls Show Opposition Won Kenyan Election, U.S. Spy Chief Wants Authority to Monitor All Internet Traffic, Britain to Implant Prisoners With Spychips, Mitt Romney’s Former Investment Fund To Buy Clear Channel, Australia Orders Japan To Stop Hunting and Killing Whales

Race and Gender in Presidential Politics: A Debate Between Gloria Steinem and Melissa Harris-Lacewell
13 Jan 2008
In the race for the Democratic nomination, a victory for either Senator Hillary Clinton or Senator Barack Obama—as the first woman or African American Democratic nominee—would be unprecedented in U.S. history. We host a discussion on race and gender politics with feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem and Princeton University Professor Melissa Harris-Lacewell. [includes rush transcript]

CACI Awarded Millions in New Govt. Contracts Despite Being Accused of Widespread Abuse in Lawsuit Brought by 256 Prisoners Held in Iraqi Jails
13 Jan 2008
The private military firm CACI International was recently awarded lucrative, multi-million dollar contracts from the U.S. Army and the Department of Justice. The contracts came despite a lawsuit CACI is facing for alleged abuses in Iraqi prisons, including Abu Ghraib. We speak with attorney Susan Burke, who filed the suit on behalf of 256 prisoners held in Iraqi jails. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for January 14, 2008
13 Jan 2008
Bush: Iran is World’s Leading State Sponsor of Terror, Iran Agrees to Answer Questions About Nuclear Past, Sen. Clinton Refuses to Describe War Vote As A Mistake, Clinton Allies in Nevada Sue to Stop Caucuses in Vegas Hotels, NBC Rescinds Nevada Debate Invitation to Kucinich, Court: Gitmo Detainees Do Not Meet Definition of “Person”, 80 Arrested Outside Supreme Court Protesting Guantanamo, Joints Chief of Staff Chair Favors Closing Guantanamo, Spy Chief Mike McConnell Admits Waterboarding is Torture, Conviction Tossed of Only Officer Charged In Abu Ghraib Scandal, 121 Veterans Have Been Charged With Murder Since Returning Home, Some Ex-Baathists To Be Allowed to Regain Government Jobs, Cleveland Sues 21 Banks Over Subprime Mortgage Crisis, Green Party Holds Presidential Debate in California, Associated Press: “Everything Involving Britney Is A Big Deal.”

Writers’ Strike Continues in Third Month of Impasse Over Internet Content
10 Jan 2008
The writers’ strike has entered its 68th day. Over 10,000 members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike November 5 over the refusal of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to pay writers for reruns of their work online and for original work written for the internet. We speak to Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East. [includes rush transcript]

Guantanamo: A Look Back at Six Years of Imprisonment, Torture and Suicide
10 Jan 2008
Over the past six years, Democracy Now! has closely followed the story of illegal detentions at Guantanamo Bay. We have interviewed former Guantanamo detainees and interrogators, dozens of attorneys, human rights activists and more. These are some their voices. [includes rush transcript]

On its Sixth Anniversary, Calls Resound Worldwide for Closure of Guantanamo Bay Prison
10 Jan 2008
Over 800 men and boys, so-called “enemy combatants,” have been held without charge at Guantanamo since January 11, 2002. We speak to Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights. We’re also joined by London-based writer Mogib Hassan. His cousin, Fawaz Mahdi, was jailed in Guantanamo for over five years. He was released in June but has been suffering severe psychological problems and has tried committing suicide several times. [includes rush transcript]

Gareth Porter: Official Version of U.S.-Iranian Naval Incident Starts to Unravel
10 Jan 2008
The United States has lodged a formal diplomatic protest against Iran for its “provocation” in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday morning. But new information reveals that the alleged Iranian threat to American naval vessels may have been blown out of proportion. We speak to investigative historian Gareth Porter. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for January 11, 2008
10 Jan 2008
Bush Calls for Palestinian State, But Backs Israeli Settlement Expansion, Olmert: Expansion-Freeze Only Applies to Settlements Israel Doesn?t Want to Keep, U.S. Claims Victory in Massive Iraq Bombing Campaign, Pentagon Backtracks on Iran Naval Claim, African Union Delegation Leaves Kenya Without Truce, Kerry Endorses Obama in Democratic Race, Kucinich Calls for New Hampshire Vote Recount, Exonerated Prisoner Reaches Multi-Million Dollar Settlement, Blocking Deportation, Judge Rules Egyptian National May Face Torture, Audit: Telecoms Halted FBI Wiretapping Over Unpaid Bills, 2 Colombian Hostages Released in Venezuela-Brokered Deal, 22 Killed in Pakistan Suicide Attack