BETWEEN THE LINES
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Hungry for more news from Between The Lines?

Many BTL interviews are excerpted from Scott Harris' live, 2-hour program, Counterpoint. To hear more in-depth analysis you won't get in mainstream media, listen to Counterpoint LIVE Monday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. EST on WPKN Radio

Counterpoint is now archived in its entirety on The White Rose Society website


Check out our
collection of selected in-depth interviews and other audio collectibles on our distribution production company's site at www.squeakywheel.net

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WPKN Radio mentioned in Danny Schechter's "The News Dissector" column

on independent media values.


New Haven Advocate's
"Best of New Haven 2001"
-- Staff Picks --
Scott Harris, Best Radio News Reporter
WPKN Radio, 89.5 FM

"Giving Voice to Dissent: Bridgeport's WPKN Radio Covers The News With Left-Of-Center Takes Not Found In The Mainstream Media"Hartford Courant, Feb. 26, 2003


ISSUES IN DEPTH
War And Profiteering

"The Future of Iraq: The Spoils of War," Blood and oil: How the West will profit from Iraq's most precious commodity, by Danny Fortson, Andrew Murray-Watson and Tim Webb, The Independent/UK, Jan. 7, 2007

"Cheney is Longtime Bad News for U.S.," by John Nichols, by the Madison Capital Times (Wisconsin), Jan. 16, 2007

"Bush administration provokes open war on Iran: Irbil raid, and other operations, authorized "several months ago," by Larry Chin, Global Research, Jan. 15, 2007

"Iran: The Next War," by James Bamford, Rolling Stone, July 24, 2006

Those Who Dared to Come Forward
Compilation of Washington insiders speaking out on Bush administration policies and actions

Project for the New American Century's Letter to President Clinton on Iraq, Jan. 26, 1998 Urges President Clinton to remove the threat that Iraq poses by stating a strategy to do so in his "upcoming State of the Union Address."

"Iraq On The Record," U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman report, March 16, 2004

"Greenspan Testimony Highlights Bush Plan for Deliberate Federal Bankruptcy," by Michael Meurer, truthout.org, March 2, 2004

"Noam Chomsky on Middle East Conflict and U.S. War Plan Against Iraq," Between The Lines interview with Noam Chomsky, conducted by Scott Harris, for the Week Ending May 3, 2002

"The Iraq War & The Bush Administration's Pursuit of Global Domination," Counterpoint, Sept. 15, 2003

The Iraq Crisis, a Global Policy Forum, U.N. Security Council section on the 13 years of sanctions and other background of the war, the humanitarian situation, the importance of Iraq's huge oil resources, and disputes over a post-war government and reconstruction plan

"Occupation, Inc." Southern Exposure, Winter, 2003/2004

"Pipeline Politics: Oil, The Taliban, and the Political Balance of Central Asia," World Press Review Special Report, Nov.-Dec. 2001

"War Profiteering," by The Nation editors, April 24, 2003

"An Annotated Saddam Chronology," ZNet, Dec. 15, 2003


Civil Liberties

"Martial Law Threat is Real," by Dave Lindorff, commondreams.org, July 27, 2007

"ACLU: US Constitution in Grave Danger,"United Press International, July 25, 2007

"Old-line Republican warns 'something's in the works' to trigger a police state," by Muriel Kane, Rawstory.com July 19, 2007

"Fascist America, in 10 easy steps," by Naomi Wolf, The Guardian, April 24, 2007


"Keeping Secrets: The Bush administration is doing the public's business out of the public eye. Here's how--and why," by Christopher H. Schmitt and Edward T. Pound, U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 12, 2003

"Fascism Anyone?" 14 Signs of Fascism, Free Inquiry Magazine, Volume 23, No. 2

"Germany In 1933: The Easy Slide Into Fascism," The Crisis Papers, June 9, 2003

Between The Lines

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Between The Lines
For The Week Ending May 16, 2008


armleg

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

  • Middle Class at Risk
    If U.S. Economy not Restructured

    For story text and audio, Click here!

  • Raul Castro Acts
    on Citizen-Initiated Change
    in Cuba

    For story text and audio, Click here!

  • Oil Companies, Speculators
    Are Big Winners
    in Energy Price Spike

    For story text and audio, Click here!

  • Underreported News Summary
    from Around the World

    For full summary text and audio, Click here!
LISTEN to this week's half-hour program of Between The Lines by clicking on one of the links below.



This week we present Between The Lines' summary of under-reported news stories and:


 Middle Class at Risk
If U.S. Economy not Restructured


Interview with economist Max Wolff,
conducted by Scott Harris


economy

Although the recent unemployment report from the U.S. Labor Department for April wasn't as bad as some economists had predicted, the nation has lost jobs now for four consecutive months. But with an estimated 2 million homeowners headed toward foreclosure, steeply declining real estate prices, a drop in the value of the dollar and the rising cost of energy, the American economy is still in very deep trouble.

Fears that the U.S. is moving toward a recession have been reinforced as economic growth all but stalled in the past two quarters. The economy expanded at an annual rate of just 0.6 percent during the last quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008. Harvard University economist Martin Feldstein, observing that just about every economic indicator is down from last year, recently stated his belief that the U.S. was "sliding into a recession."

With the presidential election just six months away, opinion polls find that the troubled economy has emerged as the No. 1 issue for most American voters, followed by the Iraq war and the failed U.S. healthcare system. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with economist Max Wolff, who assesses the state of the U.S. economy and how the presidential candidates are addressing the current crisis.

Read economist Max Wolff's commentaries online at HuffingtonPost.com and www.GlobalMacroscope.com



Raul Castro Acts
on Citizen-Initiated Change
in Cuba


Interview with Joy Gordon,
professor of philsophy,
conducted by Melinda Tuhus


castro brothers

When longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro fell ill in July 2006, Raul Castro, Fidel's younger brother, who had held the post of defense minister since 1959, effectively took control of the Cuban government. Raul was officially appointed Cuba's president in February of this year. While the U.S. government has not changed its attitude toward the communist government, significant changes are afoot in Cuba.

Since taking office, Raul has lifted a ban on cell phones and other consumer items, such as DVD players and rice cookers. He has increased pensions for the elderly and purchased new Chinese buses for Havana's mass-transit system. To address a food shortage, Raul has given Cuban farmers more control over their land, and allowed them to sell their own produce. Restrictions have also been lifted on Cubans wishing to stay at the island's resort hotels that cater to foreign tourists.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Joy Gordon, a professor of philosophy at Fairfield University, who has visited Cuba almost every year since 1990, often for extended periods. She spent two semesters as a visiting professor at the University of Havana. Gordon explains why she believes the change in leadership has led to improvements in the day-to-day lives of Cubans.

For updates on the situation in Cuba, visit the website of the Latin American Working Group at www.lawg.org

Related links:



Oil Companies, Speculators
Are Big Winners
in Energy Price Spike


Interview with Tyson Slocum,
director of Public Citizen's Energy Program,
conducted by Scott Harris


gasprices

With the price of oil now setting a record at $120 a barrel, American consumers are seeing unprecedented increases in the price of energy. In early May, gasoline was selling for an average $3.62 a gallon nationally, while diesel sold for an average $4.29. Overall, gas has risen 55 cents since January.

The spike in oil prices has provoked two U.S. presidential candidates, Republican John McCain and Democrat Hillary Clinton to embrace a federal gas tax holiday that would temporarily suspend collection of the 18.4 cent tax per gallon from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Clinton says she would make up the federal tax shortfall by imposing a windfall profits tax on big oil companies that have posted record profits in recent years. Clinton's opponent in the Democratic primary Barack Obama, has rejected the tax holiday idea as an election year gimmick that he says fails to address the fundamental flaws with U.S. energy policy.

While Americans cope with a weakening economy, a mortgage crisis and higher energy prices, big oil companies continue to receive tax payer subsidies, estimated at $8 billion a year that critics say would be better spent on renewable energy. Between the Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program, who discusses the continuing rise in gasoline prices, record oil company profits and what the federal government can do about it.

Contact Public Citizen at (202) 588-1000 or visit their website at www.citizen.org




  • In the aftermath of a devastating cyclone, an Earthrights International report charges Chevron with complicity in ongoing human rights abuses in Myanmar, also known as Burma, near the Yadana pipeline which exports natural gas to Thailand. ("Watchdog Groups Says Chevron Complicit in Myanmar," Reuters, April 25, 2008; "Report: Chevron Financing, Profiting and Liable in Human Rights Abuses in Burma (Myanmar)," Earthrights International press release, April 29, 2008; "Myanmar Cyclone Death Toll Soars Past 22,000: State Radio," Associated Press, May 6, 2008)
  • In the midst of a global food crisis that could leave 100 million people hungry, Cambodia is boosting its rice production as it aims to become a leading agricultural exporter. ("As World Grasps for Rice, Cambodia's Success Story," Christian Science Monitor, May 1, 2008; " Food Crisis Needs Aid on the Scale of Tsunami to Avert Famine," The Independent, April 23, 2008)
  • Congressional Democrats are lowering expectations over short-term prospects for a universal health care program. ("Democrats Hedge on Health Care," The Hill, April 23, 2008)


Credits:
Executive producer: Scott Harris
Segment producers: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus
Senior news editor: Bob Nixon
Program narration: Valerie Richardson
News reader: Chris Ferrio
Senior web editor/producer: Anna Manzo
Web producer: Jeffrey P. Yates
Newswire editor: Hank Hoffman
Photo editor: Scott Harris
Outreach coordinator: Anna Manzo
Distribution: Anna Manzo, Bill Cosentino and Jeffrey P. Yates
Theme music: Written by Richard Hill and Jody Gray, and performed by Mikata


Between The Lines
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Last Week's Program

Between The Lines Week Ending 5/9/08

Between The Lines' Blog

"Reading Between The Lines"

U.S. Politics

"Nuns, Students Blocked From Voting In Indiana-Where's Congress?," by Art Levine, Huffington Post, May 6, 2008

"Military Donations To Antiwar Candidates Rise," Air Force Times, May 6, 2008

"Louisiana Dem Cayazoux Nabs GOP Seat In Saturday House Special Election," Congressional Quarterly, May 4, 2008

"McCain's Delusional Tax Plan," by Robert Gordon & James Kvall, The American Prospect, May 2, 2008

"The Power Of A Stupid Idea," by Eugene Robinson, TruthDig, May 2, 2008

"John McCain Adores The War And Ignores The Warriors," by Aaron Glantz, AlterNet, May 2, 2008

"Message: Disenfranchise Away," Boston Globe editorial, May 2, 2008

"Hillary Struggles Against Sexism But Regularly Plays Race Card," by Betsy Reed, The Nation, May 2, 2008

"Experts: Clinton/McCain Gas Tax 'Holiday' A Joke," by Sam Stein, Huffington Post, May 2, 2008

"Voting Rights Are Too Important To Be Left To States," by Adam Cohen, The New York Times, May 2, 2008

"Hispanic Voters: Waking The Sleeping Giant," Congressional Quarterly, May 2, 2008

"Church, State And Campaign '08," by Bill Boyarsky, TruthDiig, May 1, 2008

"'Then Nobody Would Be A Democrat Anymore': Nixon And The Flag Strategy," by Rick Perlstein, The American Prospect, Apr. 30, 2008

More newswire ...

Bush Regime

"FBI Agents Raid Office Protecting Whistleblowers: Reports," Agence France Presse, May 6, 2008

"Shhh... This Is A 'Secretocracy,'" by Sean Gonsalves, Common Dreams, May 5, 2008

"Ex-Iraq Commander Accuses Bush Administration Of 'Gross Incompetence,'" Raw Story, May 2, 2008

"Bush Asks To Push Total War Cost To $875 Billion," Associated Press, May 2, 2008

"How Much Did Rumsfeld Know?," by Ricardo Sanchez, Time, May 1, 2008

"What, if Anything, Does The Nuremberg Precedent Tell Us About The Criminal Culpability Of Government Lawyers?," by Marty Lederman, Balkinization, May 1, 2008

More newswire ...

American Empire/War Profiteering

"Pentagon Targeted Iran For Regime Change After 9/11," by Gareth Porter, Inter Press Service, May 6, 2008

"Doubting The Evidence Against Iran," Time, May 5, 2008

"U.S. Base Is No Longer Welcome In Ecuador," Miami Herald, May 5, 2008

"Top U.S. Officer Says Would Prefer No War With Iran," Reuters, May 5, 2008

"Shell Firms Shielded U.S. contractor From Taxes," Boston Globe, May 4, 2008

"United States Is Drawing Up Plans For Strike On Iranian Insurgency Camp," Times Online/UK, May 4, 2008

"Secret Bush 'Finding' Widens Covert War On Iran: Democrats Okay Funds For Covert Ops," by Andrew Cockburn, Counterpunch, May 2, 2008

"Contractors Gone Wild," by Bruce Falconer, Mother Jones, May 2, 2008

"Spies Without Borders: The CIA And The Raid On Ecuador," by William Blum, Counterpunch, May 2, 2008

"Selling The War With Iran," by Nir Rosen, Washington Note, May 1, 2008

" Those Clever, Dastardly Iranians! Bamboozling Us with Facts ... and Even (Gasp!) Photographs!," by Arthur Silber, Once Upon A Time..., Apr. 30, 2008

More newswire ...

"Postwar" Occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan

"Dozens Of Iraqi Police Detained In Operation," Reuters, May 6, 2008

"Iraqi Officials Says Iran Arms Evidence Not Conclusive," Associated Press, May 4, 2008

"Corruption Eats Away At Afghan Government," Globe and Mail/Canada, May 3, 2008

"Pentagon considers Adding Forces In Afghanistan," The New York Times, May 3, 2008

"Iran Denies Militia Backing In Iraq," CNN, May 3, 2008

"Baghdad Hospital Damaged By U.S. Missile, Dozens Injured," McClatchy Newspapers, May 3, 2008

"U.S. Death Toll In Iraq Hits 7-Month High," by Patrick Cockburn, Independent/UK, May 2, 2008

More newswire ...

Civil Liberties/ Human Rights

"Few Details On Immigrants Who Died In Custody," The New York Times, May 5, 2008

"The Awfully Nice Guys Allowing Torture At Guantanamo," Times Online/UK, May 4, 2008

"Fabricated 'Bioterrorism' Case Collapses," by William Fisher, Inter Press Service, May 3, 2008

"ACLU Of Colorado Sues To Ensure DNC Protesters' Rights," by Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive, May 2, 2008

"Teacher Fired For Refusing To Sign Loyalty Oath," Los Angeles Times, May 2, 2008

"Court-Approved Wiretapping Rose 14% In '07," by Ryan Singel, Wired, May 1, 2008

"'We Are Workers, Not Criminals,'" by David Bacon, Truthout, May 1, 2008

"Heat-Seeking Missives: Senate Seeks To Limit Use Of National Security Letters," by Brian Beutler, The American Prospect, May 1, 2008

"Newly Unredacted Report Confirms Psychologists Supported Illegal Interrogations In Iraq And Afghanistan," American Civil Liberties Union press release, Apr. 30, 2008

More newswire ...

Media Issues

"Who Needs Dana Perino When You Have The NYT's Michael Gordon?," by Glenn Greenwald, Salon, May 5, 2008

"Standing Up To The Corporate Media Bully," by Alex Samur, Rabble/Canada, May 5, 2008

"Net Neutrality," by Chris Kuttruff, Truthout, May 5, 2008

"The Media, The Right And 1988: Endless Deja Vu," by Glenn Greenwald, Salon, May 4, 2008

"Brian Williams' 'Response' To The Military Analyst Story," by Glenn Greenwald, Salon, Apr. 30, 2008

"Fox News In Critical Condition And Fading Fast," by KingOneEye, Daily Kos, Apr. 30, 2008

More newswire ...

Activism

"Remembering Kent State Shooting Victims," Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio), May 5, 2008

"Vermont Peace Activists Occupy General Dynamics Weapons Plant," by Ben Dangl, ZNet, May 3, 2008

"Hidden Revolutionary Sentiment In The Heartland," by Paul Street, ZNet, May 3, 2008

"Rebel Music: 30 Years Of Rock Against Racism," by Alexander Billet, ZNet, May 2, 2008

"Oakland Teach-In Looks At Budget Cuts And War," The New York Times, May 2, 2008

"The ILWU's May Day Strike: Shutting Down The West Coast Ports," by David Macaray, Counterpunch, May 2, 2008

"Maine Jury Acquits Peace Activists For Senate Office Sit-In," Bangor Daily News (Maine), May 1, 2008

"Dockworkers Take May Day Off In War Protest, Idling All West Coast Ports," Los Angeles Times, May 1, 2008

More newswire ...



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