Chris Hedges and Laila Al-Arian on “Collateral Damage: America’s War Against Iraqi Civilians”
10 Jun 2008
In their new book, journalists Chris Hedges and Laila Al-Arian bring us the voices of fifty American combat veterans of the Iraq War and their understanding of the US occupation and why Iraqis are so opposed to it. [includes rush transcript]

“Descent Into Chaos”: Ahmed Rashid on How the US Aid to “War on Terror” Ally Pakistan is Aiding the Taliban
10 Jun 2008
Veteran Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid explains how the US ally Pakistan has armed and financed the Taliban after the US invasion of Afghanistan; how the CIA pays Pakistan to arrest al-Qaeda operatives, but Pakistan uses the money to fund the Taliban resurgence in northwest Pakistan; and how the US and NATO?s failure to deal with Afghan civil society has led directly to the huge rise of the opium trade that funds the Taliban. [includes rush transcript – partial]

Headlines for June 10, 2008
10 Jun 2008
Iraqi Lawmakers Reveal New US Demands on Long-Term Deal, Kucinich Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against President Bush, McClellan Agrees to Testify on Plame Case, Obama Calls for Oil Windfall Tax, Bolivians Protest Rumored US Asylum for Accused Leaders, Italians Protest Feared Crackdown on Anti-Bush Demonstrations, Study: Global Military Spending Rises Nearly 50% in Last Decade, Number of “Underinsured” Americans Sees Sharp Increase, Democratic Sens. Call for Pentagon Propaganda Ban

Bill Moyers Takes on Fox News Producer Sent by Bill O’Reilly to Media Reform Conference
9 Jun 2008
Before the National Conference for Media Reform began, Bill O’Reilly of Fox News, attacked it on the air as a gathering of “crazy” people. O’Reilly also sent a producer to confront Moyers in what become an animated confrontation.

Broadcast Legend Bill Moyers on Media Reform: “Democracy Only Works When Ordinary People Claim It as Their Own”
9 Jun 2008
More than 3,500 people gathered in Minneapolis this weekend for the fourth annual National Conference for Media Reform, organized by the group Free Press. The thousands of participants took part in panel discussions and strategized on efforts to fight media consolidation and democratize the airwaves. We play the electrifying keynote address by legendary journalist Bill Moyers. [includes rush transcript – partial]

Headlines for June 9, 2008
9 Jun 2008
Clinton Drops White House Bid, Endorses Obama, Iraq Assures Iran on US Base Demands, Iraqi Lawmakers Oppose US Deal Without Withdrawal, Obama Backtracks on Jerusalem Comments, BBC Journalist Killed in Afghanian, Chavez Withdraws Intelligence Overhaul, Urges FARC to End Military Struggle, Pentagon Accused of Ordering Destruction of Interrogation Instructions, Justice Dept. Reopens Probe of Arar Case, Relatives, Residents Mark 10th Anniversary of Jasper Lynching, 20 Killed in Somalia Clashes, Israel Threatens Gaza, Iran Attacks

Native American Writer and Independent Bookseller Louise Erdrich
6 Jun 2008
Louise Erdrich is the author of many books, including twelve novels, from her first, Love Medicine, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, to her latest, The Plague of Doves, which has just come out to rave reviews. Louise Erdrich is widely known as one of the most prominent Native American writers today. She is also an independent bookseller, owning the local Birchbark Books here in Minneapolis. [includes rush transcript]

Adrienne Maree Brown of the Ruckus Society on Media Justice, Election Protection and the Issue of Race in the 2008 Election
6 Jun 2008
The National Conference for Media Reform isn’t just a gathering on media policy—it’s also an educational event for hands-on media activism and citizen journalism. Adrienne Maree Brown is the Executive Director of The Ruckus Society, which trains and supports social justice groups in nonviolent direct action.

FCC Urged to Probe Pentagon Propaganda Program
6 Jun 2008
Lawmakers are urging the Federal Communications Commission to investigate the Pentagon’s propaganda program to determine if the major TV networks or the Pentagon-backed analysts violated federal law. We speak to FCC Commissioner Michael Copps. [includes rush transcript]

Robert McChesney and Josh Silver of Free Press on the National Conference for Media Reform
6 Jun 2008
Nearly 3,000 people have come from across the nation for what’s become known as the most important gathering of the growing movement for media reform. Participants will hear lectures, take workshops and strategize on efforts to fight media consolidation and democratize the airwaves. Speakers include Dan Rather, Bill Moyers, Arianna Huffington, Van Jones, Naomi Klein and dozens more. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for June 6, 2008
6 Jun 2008
US Holds $50 Billion of Iraq’s Financial Reserves Hostage, Senate Report: Bush Deliberately Distorted Pre-War Intelligence, Obama and Clinton Meet in Private, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Arraigned for 9/11 Attacks, Nations Agree to Tackle Global Food Crisis, Gates Removes Top Air Force Leaders Following Nuclear Gaffes, Senate Considers $455 Billion in Nuclear Subsidies, American Households Lose $1.7 Trillion in First Quarter, Chinese Parents Demand Probe of Collapsed Schools, Jailed Afghan Journalist Sues US Over Detention, Mexico Asks World Court to Block Executions in US, Domestic Workers Gather in NYC, D.C. Police Set Up Neighborhood Checkpoints, Stuntman Scales NYT Building to Protest Global Warming, Jury Awards Bush Protesters $750,000 for Illegal Strip Search, St. Paul Police Arrest Protester at Obama Rally for Leafleting

Democracy Now! Special: Robert F. Kennedy’s Life and Legacy 40 Years After His Assassination
5 Jun 2008
Forty years ago today, on June 5, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy had just won the California Democratic primary, a major boost in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Just after midnight, Kennedy addressed supporters at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, in what would be the last moments of his life. Today, we spend the hour playing excerpts of rare Robert F. Kennedy speeches and the new documentary RFK Must Die: The Assassination of Bobby Kennedy. We also play a never-before broadcast address by Kennedy speaking to students at St. Lawrence University in Canton in 1966 and the man who recorded it. We also speak with journalist John Pilger who covered Kennedy’s campaign and was with him when he was shot, and we speak with labor organizer Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, who’s cause Kennedy championed. [includes rush transcript – partial]

Headlines for June 5, 2008
5 Jun 2008
Sen. Clinton to Suspend Campaign & Endorse Obama, Jimmy Carter Warns Against “Dream Ticket”, Obama to AIPAC: Jerusalem “Must Remain Undivided”, Palestinians Appalled by Obama’s Comments, Obama and McCain Clash on Iran, Obama Fundraiser Convicted of Corruption Charges, Revealed: Secret Plan to Keep Iraq Under US Control, Judge OKs Blackwater Facility at US-Mexican Border, ICC Implicates Top Sudanese Officials, US Food Policy Criticized at Emergency Food Summit, Four Nations Attempt to Become Carbon Neutral, California in Drought After Driest Spring in 88 Years, Court Upholds Conviction of Cuban Five, Ex-Sandinista Elected President UN General Assembly, Abbas Criticizes Israeli Settlement Expansion, Massachusetts Sues H&R Block Over Lending Practices, Ex-Bush Health Official Wins $11 Million 9/11 Workers Contract, Hong Kong Protesters Hold Tiananmen Square Vigil

Former US Attorney David Iglesias on “In Justice: Inside the Scandal that Rocked the Bush Administration”
4 Jun 2008
We speak to fired US attorney David Iglesias about the US attorneys scandal, voter suppression, vote caging and the politicization of the Justice Department. [includes rush transcript – partial]

“America, This Is Our Moment”: Sen. Barack Obama Clinches Democratic Nomination
4 Jun 2008
Barack Obama made history last night by sealing the Democratic presidential nomination to become the first African American nominee of a major party in the United States. Obama clinched the win after a wave of more than seventy uncommitted superdelegates announced their support on Tuesday, pushing his total over the threshold of the 2,118 delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination at the party?s convention in August. We speak to Ron Walters.

Headlines for June 4, 2008
4 Jun 2008
Sen. Obama Clinches Democratic Nomination, Clinton Praises Obama, Does Not Concede, McCain: I’m Not Running for Bush’s Third Term, Obama & McCain Accused of Exaggerating Iran’s Nuclear Program, Canadian House Urges Gov’t to Allow War Resisters to Stay, Australian PM Accuses Predecessor of Abusing Iraq Intelligence, UN: Israeli Settlement Expansion Violates Int’l Law, UN Food Summit Tackles Global Crisis, Report: US Forces Believe Omar Khadr Is “Good Kid”, Deforestation of Amazon Rainforest Worsens, GM Closes Four Truck & SUV Plants, Thousands Mark Tiananmen Square Massacre, Waxman Requests FBI Documents Over CIA Leak Case

Anti-Torture Activists Convicted, Jailed for Protesting Gitmo Outside Supreme Court
3 Jun 2008
Thirty-four anti-torture activists have been convicted for protesting the Guantanamo Bay prison outside the Supreme Court. Twelve are now serving jail sentences. During the trial, protesters gave their names as those of Guantanamo prisoners and dressed in orange jumpsuits and black hoods. We speak to Matt Daloisio of Witness Against Torture, who gave the opening statement at the trial.

“The Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington”
3 Jun 2008
As we continue to look at issues regarding the 2008 presidential race, we turn to political journalist and nationally syndicated columnist, David Sirota. His first book, Hostile Takeover, was a New York Times bestseller. His latest book, just published, is The Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington. [includes rush transcript]

Juan Gonzalez on Puerto Rico?s Overlooked Primary and a Bitter Divide Within the SEIU
3 Jun 2008
Back from Puerto Rico, Juan Gonzalez reports on two stories coming out of the island over the past week: the Democratic primary, won by Sen. Hillary Clinton and overlooked by Sen. Barack Obama, and a bitter divide within the SEIU. Puerto Rican residents could vote in the primary contest, yet are not allowed to vote in the November elections for president. As the Democratic primary took place, the Service Employees International Union held its national convention in San Juan. The SEIU is embroiled in an internal battle over allegations its leadership is seeking to increase the union?s size and influence at the expense of rank-and-file members. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for June 3, 2008
3 Jun 2008
UN Calls for 50% Rise in Food Production by 2030, US Shuns Rivals at Food Conference, South Dakota, Montana Primaries Close Out Dem. Nomination Race, Senate Begins Debate on Climate Change Bill, Probe: Routine Interference on NASA Climate Change Research, Cheney Backtracks on Dismissal of Antiwar Public Opinion, IAEA Chides US, Iran on Nuclear Disclosures, Morales Vows Reform Push Amidst Autonomy Moves, Kennedy Recovering from Brain Surgery, Byrd Hospitalized with Fever, Correction

Blackwater: From the Nisour Square Massacre to the Future of the Mercenary Industry
2 Jun 2008
The private military firm Blackwater has gone from being a relatively unknown contractor working in Iraq to a household name and the subject of multiple investigations, lawsuits and congressional inquiries. In the meantime, the company continues to reap millions of dollars in profits and was recently awarded a new contract from the State Department. Last year, Democracy Now! correspondent and Nation Fellow, Jeremy Scahill, published his book Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army. The book quickly landed on the New York Times bestseller list and helped frame the debate that was to come. With the book’s paperback release in a thoroughly revised and updated edition, Jeremy Scahill joins us for the hour. [includes rush transcript – partial]

Headlines for June 2, 2008
2 Jun 2008
Iraqis Protest Looming Pact with US, US Tenders New Iraq Contracts, Australia Begins Withdrawing Troops from Iraq, Clinton Wins Puerto Rico Primary, Montana, South Dakota to Host Final Primaries, Obama Breaks Ties with Chicago Church, US State Dept. Reverses Denial of Fulbright Grants to Palestinian Students, Activists, Farmers Hold Parallel Food Summit in Rome, Group: US Holding Foreign Prisoners on Naval Vessels, Gitmo Judge Removed from Khadr Trial, Crimical Charges in Immigration Cases at Record High, DNC Rules on Seating Florida, Michigan Delegates, Israel Starts New Settlement Construction in Occupied Territories

Veteran Journalist Robert Scheer on “The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America”
29 May 2008
Over the past four decades, veteran reporter Robert Scheer has built a reputation as one of the leading journalists in this country – from his time as a war correspondent during Vietnam to his widely-read columns today. Over the years, he has interviewed Presidents Nixon, Carter, Reagan and Clinton. Author of seven books, his latest is “The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America.”

IndieBound: Independent Booksellers Join Forces to Promote Localism, Independence in Book Trade
29 May 2008
More than 30,000 people representing eighty countries are in Los Angeles this weekend for BookExpo America, the publishing industry?s annual three-day gathering. Among the groups is the American Booksellers Association, or ABA, the national trade association for independent booksellers. We speak to former ABA president Russ Lawrence. [includes rush transcript]

Alleging War Crimes, British Activist, Writer George Monbiot Attempts Citizen’s Arrest on Former UN Ambassador John Bolton
29 May 2008
John Bolton – the former US ambassador to the United Nations – escaped a citizens arrest Wednesday night as he addressed an audience in Britain. We speak to George Monbiot, the British activist and columnist who tried to arrest Bolton. Monbiot says Bolton is a war criminal for his role in helping to initiate the U.S. invasion of Iraq.