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 June 27, 2008


PRE-ELECTION 2008 APPEAL -- FOCUS ON THE ISSUES

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A participatory democracy functions best with well-informed citizens. Listen to Between The Lines and arm yourself with information and analysis that those in power would prefer you don't know.

This year's presidential election could very well determine the course of the United States for the next decade and beyond.

Each week, Between The Lines provides dissenting views on to the status quo issues that matter, including: skyrocketing energy prices and oil company profiteering; the growing debt crisis; the Republican party and religious extremism; the neoconservative drive for American empire; and the failing U.S. healthcare system.

As a thank you gift for your contribution in support of Between The Lines, one of the gifts we are offering is your choice of a video DVD or audio CD: "Health Care: Basic Right or Privilege?" a public forum on universal health care featuring Dr. Stephanie Woolhandler, Harvard associate professor and co-founder of Physicians for a National Health Program and John Wilhelm, UNITE HERE president. Together, these speakers deliver a compelling argument that the best solution to America's failing health care system is a single-payer national health insurance program that saves substantial administrative costs while providing universal comprehensive, quality care.

here to receive the "Health Care: Basic Right or Privilege?" DVD or CD.

Click here to listen to audio samples and order other exciting thank you gifts, which include books, DVDs and CDs from historian Howard Zinn, Pulitzer prize-winning writer Chris Hedges, energy and security expert Michael Klare and award-winning documentary filmmaker Danny Schechter.

More details about how you can help can be found here!



THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

  • Supreme Court Grants Guantanamo Detainees
    Access to Civilian Courts

    For story text and audio, Click here!

  • Dora Maria Tellez, Heroine
    of Sandinista Revolution Protests
    Her Former Party's 'Authoritarianism'

    For story text and audio, Click here!

  • Blacks and Latinos Hit Hardest
    by Deepening U.S. Income Inequality

    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:


 Supreme Court Grants Guantanamo Detainees
Access to Civilian Courts


Interview with Kathryn Kolbert,
president of People for the American Way,
conducted by Scott Harris


guantanamo

In a landmark ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed on June 12 the right of 270 prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay Naval base in Cuba the right to challenge their detention in American civilian courts. The 5-4 decision in the Boumediene v. Bush case will give detainees access to federal courts where they will be able to present evidence to refute government allegations that they are terrorists - and publicly press claims that they've been tortured.

Despite the court ruling, controversial military commissions trials of 20 prisoners charged with war crimes, including alleged 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohmammed, may be able to proceed, but will likely be challenged in federal court. An estimated 130 Guantanamo prisoners, some held as long as 6 1/2 years, have been designated as dangerous by the Bush administration, but have not been charged with any crime due to a lack of evidence.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's assertion that the Guantanamo decision will "cause more Americans to be killed," was a fearful theme picked up by many on the right. Presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain, criticized the ruling as being one of the worst decisions in the history of the country. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Kathryn Kolbert, president of People for the American Way, who assesses the Supreme Court decision on Guantanamo detainees and why her group is emphasizing the future selection of Supreme Court justices as a major issue in this year's presidential election.

Contact People for the American Way by calling 1-800-326-7329 or visit their website at pfaw.org



Dora Maria Tellez, Heroine
of Sandinista Revolution Protests
Her Former Party's 'Authoritarianism'


Interview with Camilo deCastro,
a television journalist in Managua,
conducted by Melinda Tuhus


sandinista

In 1978, at the age of 22, Nicaraguan medical student and Sandinista party activist Dora Maria Tellez cemented her legendary status as second-in-command in the occupation of the Nicaraguan National Palace in Managua, Nicagarua part of the struggle that later overthrew the U.S.-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza in 1979. After taking power, the Sandinistas battled U.S.-backed Contras guerillas until they lost the presidential election in 1990. During that time. Daniel Ortega served as president and Tellez served as minister of health, where she initiated programs that the United Nations praised as models for underdeveloped countries.

In 1995, Tellez and other former Sandinistas split from the Sandinista Front and founded a new party, the Sandinista Renovation Movement, or MRS, accusing the party, and Ortega in particular, of authoritarianism. The MRS is a small party, holding just six seats in the national assembly, but its members say they have been a voice for democracy and for addressing the growing income inequality in the country. After Ortega was elected president again in 2006, the electoral council he controls announced its intention to decertify the leftist MRS and another small party on the right. Tellez, now 52, began a hunger strike June 4. She ended her fast 12 days later under a doctor's order, and was hospitalized, but vowed to continue her efforts to press for democratization of the country's institutions.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Camilo de Castro, a television journalist in Managua, Nicaragua, who has covered the hunger strike. He discusses the current state of politics in Nicaragua, including the "pact" between Ortega and right-wing former president Arnoldo Aleman of the Liberal Constitutional Party, or PLC, who was convicted on corruption charges.

Camilo de Castro reports for the Nicaraguan TV program, Esta Semana. For more information on the struggles of Tellez and the MRS, visit the website of the Nicaragua Network at nicanet.org



Related links:

  • "Nicaragua Rebel Heroine Tallez Ends Hunger Strike," Tico Times (Costa Rica)
  • Hunger Strike for Democracy in Nicaragua at www.radiofeminista.net


Blacks and Latinos Hit Hardest
by Deepening U.S. Income Inequality


Interview with Dedrick Muhammad,
senior organizer and researcher
at the Institute for Policy Studies
conducted by Scott Harris


womaninflag

Over recent decades, the U.S. has witnessed a steep rise in the disparity between the rich and poor, with the middle class losing ground. Part of the explanation for this wealth gap lies in stagnating wages, higher housing, health care and education costs combined with the outsourcing of high wage manufacturing jobs overseas. But tax policies favoring the wealthy and a weakened labor movement have also contributed to a growing class divide.

The growing economic inequality in America has disproportionately affected the minority community, even as the sub-prime mortgage crisis has hit this group especially hard. In 2005, the median per capita income in the United States for whites was $28,946, while African Americans made $16,629. In homeownership, an important measure of wealth that can be passed on to future generations, the percentage of whites who owned homes stood at 75 percent compared to 47 percent for blacks and 49.7 percent for Latinos.

In a new report titled, "Forty Years Later: the Unrealized American Dream," author Dedrick Muhammad, a senior organizer and researcher at the Institute for Policy Studies, examines the deep disparity in wealth along racial lines and new strategies for expanding wealth among sectors of the population that have been left behind.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Dedrick Muhammad about his report and the debate he would like to see in this year's presidential election campaign on the need to invest in new government programs that could help reverse the trend of economic inequality.

Read Dedrick Muhammad's Institute Policy Studies report, "Forty Years Later: the Unrealized American Dream," online at ips-dc.org



  • Political violence is growing in Zimbabwe as the June 27 runoff election approaches between President Robert Mugabe and the opposition leader Morgan Tsvangiri of the Movement for Democratic Change. ("Zimbabwe: Runoff Vote will be 'Dead on Arrival,'" Human Rights Watch, June 9, 2008; "Violence Damaging Zimbabwe's Children, " Reuters, June 13, 2008; "'Military Coup' in Zimbabwe as Mugabe is Forced to Cede Power to Generals, " London Times, June 9, 2008; "Mugabe Warns of War if Voters Make 'Mistake' of Electing Rival," Agence France Press, June 14, 2008)
  • South Korea is trying to repair a trade agreement after weeks of massive protests over public fears of mad cow-tainted U.S. beef. ("South Kore-U.S. Beef Talks Bank On," BBC, June 16, 2008; "Korean Leader Considers Ways to Rework Government," New York Times, June 11, 2008; "South Korean Protesters Pack Seoul Streets," June 10, 2008)
  • With the price of gasoline surging past $4 a gallon, GOP senators used threat of filibuster to defeat bills to fight climate change, promote alternative energy and impose oil company windfall profits tax. ("So, What Now," The Grist, June 12, 2008; "No Renewal for Renewables," Gristmill, June 20, 2008)


Credits:
Executive producer: Scott Harris
Segment producers: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus
Senior news editor: Bob Nixon
Program narration: Denise Manzari
News reader: Elaine Osowski
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 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 6/20/08

Between The Lines' Blog

"Reading Between The Lines"

U.S. Politics

"House Approves $162 Billiopn War Spending Bill," San Francisco Chronicle, June 20, 2008

"The Trade Debate We Need," by Robert Kuttner, The American Prospect, June 20, 2008

"Is Obama Flipflopping On So-Called 'Free Trade?,'" by Jonathan Tasini, Communicating Labour Rights, June 20, 2008

"Democrats Gain In Voter Roll Wars," by Thomas Mills, The News and Observer (North Carolina), June 20, 2008

"What Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer And Fred Hiatt Mean By 'Bipartisanship,'" by Glenn Greenwald, Salon, June 20, 2008

"Obama Foregoes Public Funds In First For Major Candidate," The New York Times, June 20, 2008

"Feingold: Wiretap Deal 'No Compromise, It's Capitulation,'" Raw Story, June 19, 2008

"Obama's Hawks," by Lance Selfa, Socialist Worker, June 19, 2008

"Obama Opts Out Of Public Funding For His Campaign," Christian Science Monitor, June 19, 2008

"Congress Poised To Grant Telecoms Spying Immunity," by Matt Renner, Truthout, June 19, 2008

"John McCain, Torture Puppet," by Andy Worthington, Antiwar.com, June 19, 2008

"Congressman Obey Funds War He Votes Against," Milkwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Wisconsin), June 19, 2008

"Obama Goes Soft On Free Trade," by John Nichols, The Nation, June 18, 2008

More newswire ...

Bush Regime

"Gen. Taguba Knew Scandal Went To The Top," by Joseph L. Galloway, McClatchy Newspapers, June 21, 2008

"Torturegate: Truth, But No Consequences," by Chris Floyd, Empire Burlesque, June 20, 2008

"Democrats Legalize Bush's Crimes," by Robert Parry, Consortium News, June 20, 2008

"Ex-Aide McClellan Blames Bush For CIA Leak Uproar," CBS News, June 20, 2008

"John Yoo, Totalitarian," by Paul Craig Roberts, Antiwar.com, June 20, 2008

"General Accuses White House Of War Crimes," by Dan Froomkin, Washington Post, June 19, 2008

"Cheney Gets Last Laugh," The Hill, June 19, 2008

"The Elephant In The Room: How Congress And the Media Duck Impeachment," by Davew Lindorff, Counterpunch, June 18, 2008

"War Crimes Committed And Justice Denied," by by Major General Antonio Taguba, USA (Ret.), Physicians for Human Rights report, June 18, 2008

More newswire ...

American Empire/War Profiteering

"How Iran Would Retaliate If It Comes To War," by Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, June 20, 2008

"Bomb Iran? What's To Stop Us?," by Ray McGovern, Consortium News, June 19, 2008

"Jeremy Scahill: Blackwater Is Still In Charge, Above The Law And Out Of Control," by by Antonia Juhasz, AlterNet, June 19, 2008

More newswire ...

"Postwar" Occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan

"An End To Iraq Contractor Immunity?," by Patrick Cockburn, Independent/UK, June 20, 2008

"Feast Of The Conquerors: Western Oil Barons Return In Triumph To Iraq," by Chris Floyd, Empire Burlesque, June 20, 2008

"Hundreds Of Shiites Protest U.S.-Iraqi Security Deal," Associated Press, June 20, 2008

"Meet The New Dr. Strangelove," by Tom Hayden, Huffington Post, June 20, 2008

"Afghanistan In An Amorphous War," by Paul Rogers, Open Democracy, June 19, 2008

"Afghan Prisoners Abused By U.S. Military In Retaliation For 9/11," Christian Science Monitor, June 18, 2008

"Snapshots Of Life In Baghdad," by Robert Fisk, Independent/UK, June 18, 2008

More newswire ...

Civil Liberties/ Human Rights

"Surveillance Bill: The Worst Of All Worlds," by Aziz Huq, The Nation, June 20, 2008

"Techno-Fascism: Every Move you Make," by Chellis Glendinning, Counterpunch, June 19, 2008

"A Government Of Law, Not Fear," by Stanley Kutler, TruthDig, June 19, 2008

"How The Pentagon Turned An Interrogation Resistance Program Into A Blueprint For Torture," by Spencer Ackerman, Washington Independent, June 19, 2008

"Welcome To 'The Disco': How U.S. Interrogators Used Music As A Tool Of Torture," Guardian/UK, June 19, 2008

"Guatemalan Prisoner Cites Two-Week Sleep Deprivation," Reuters, June 19, 2008

"Documents Confirm U.S. Hid Detainees From Red Cross," McClatchy Newspapers, June 18, 2008

"Easing Of Laws That Led To Detainee Abuse Hatched In Secret," McClatchy Newspapers, June 18, 2008

"Habeas Corpus Barely Saved," by Sheldon Richman, Future of Freedom Foundation, June 18, 2008

"Former Detainee Blames Trauma On U.S. Captors," Associated Press, June 18, 2008

"Exams Show Torture Of U.S. Detainees," Reuters, June 18, 2008

"WaPo: General Accuses Administration Of War Crimes," by abundance, Daily Kos, June 18, 2008

"Outer Darkness: The Gulag Cancer Grows, State Terror Intensifies," by Chris Floyd, Empire Burlesque, May 24, 2008

More newswire ...

Environment and Sustainability

"U.N. Calls On Asian Nations To End Deforestation," Reuters, June 21, 2008

"NOAA Study Forecasts Greater Extremes In Weather," Washington Post, June 20, 2008

"The Objects Of Contempt Are Now Our Best Chance Of Feeding The World," by George Monbiot, ZNet, June 20, 2008

"Big Bad Boom: Radioactive Déjà Vu In The American West," by Tom Engelhardt & Chip Ward, TomDispatch.com, June 19, 2008

"Who Benefits From High Food Prices?," by Nomi Prins, Mother Jones, June 19, 2008

"Global Quandary: How To Feed A Growing Planet," McClatchy Newspapers, June 19, 2008

"Weather Reports Are Missing The Story," by Amy Goodman, TruthDig, June 18, 2008

More newswire ...

Media Issues

"Is The Tyranny Of Right-Wing Radio Coming To An End?," by Rory O'Connor, AlterNet, June 20, 2008

"Comcast's Efforts To Protect Members Of Congress Who, In Turn, Protect Congress," by Glenn Greenwald, Salon, June 18, 2008

"Failing To Use The First Amendment To Defend The Bill Of Rights" by Cynthia Cooper, Extra! Magazine, June 18, 2008

More newswire ...

Activism

"St. Paul And Cops Gear Up For Wortst At GOP Convention; Protesters Say Threat Is Hyped To Create Climate Of Fear," Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN), June 21, 2008

"Arrests For War Resistance Increase Again," by Bill Quigley, Truthout, June 19, 2008

"The Ringing Of Revolution," by Michael Albert, ZNet, June 18, 2008

More newswire ...



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