June 07, 2004
Headlines
Pentagon Says Torture Legitimate
Pentagon officials argued that torture is a legitimate form of interrogation, under presidential orders, in a document reported by the Wall Street Journal today. Selina Musuta reports from the D.C. coop.
Supreme Court Rules Trade over Environment
Today the U.S. Supreme Court chose to support an international trade agreement instead of the environment. Amarutha Nanjapta explains from D.C.
Poor People Pay More For Food?
Poor people face higher prices for food items when they go to their neighborhood stores with federal vouchers, according to a newspaper study. Gail Walker reports from WBAI in New York.
Grassroots Radio Bill
Senators proposed a bill that could change the landscape of U.S. radio in favor of grassroots broadcasters. Dante Toza has more from Radio Volta.
Features
Ronald Reagan’s Legacy (4:05)
President Ronald Reagan died on Saturday at the age of 93. Reagan’s plight with Alzheimer’s brought the once little talked about disease to the forefront of national attention. The disease galvanized his wife Nancy Reagan to break from conservative thought and ardently support stem cell research, science that could lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s and other diseases. Tributes to Reagan have been made from around the world and many U.S. media outlets are calling him one of the greatest Presidents of our time. Reagan is being remembered as the President who helped end the cold war and who beefed up military spending while cutting taxes and social programs. Our DC Editor Mitch Jeserich looks at the policies of the Reagan administration throughout the 80’s and how they live on today in the Bush administration.
Christening of USS Carter Protested (2:57)
Former president Jimmy Carter has a new namesake: the country’s newest, most high tech nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine. Carter attended the sub’s christening ceremony Saturday in Groton, Connecticut. As a thousand invited guests walked through the security gates, they were greeted by protesters who show up at every ceremony celebrating these multi-billion dollar weapons of war. But the demonstrators were particularly angry about this one. Melinda Tuhus reports.
Environmental Racism Just Down the Road from the G8 Summit? (2:39)
As the leaders of the world’s eight largest industrialized nations converge on Sea Island, Georgia the surrounding community of Brunswick is dealing with environmental racism. FSRN correspondent Aura Bogado reports.
Anti-Trust Lawsuit Filed Against Pharmaceutical Companies (3:47)
When New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg introduced legislation last week that would allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada, he became the third GOP committee chairman pressing to open US borders to circumvent high, unregulated drug prices. Despite disapproval from the Bush administration, such efforts are beginning to make headway both on and off Capitol Hill. A federal lawsuit recently launched in Minnesota is the first of its kind to directly address alleged anti-trust practices by nine pharmaceutical giants. From Minneapolis, Kristin Lerstrom and Carey Biron have the story.
Youth Detention Facility Famous for Prison Abuse Closes (4:02)
Last week, residents of a rural Mississippi Delta town joined Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children to celebrate the closure of a youth detention center that made their town’s name synonymous with prison abuse. At the same time, they promised to keep fighting to improve their community by turning the notorious facility into an educational center. Renee Feltz files this report from Tallulah, Louisiana.
Tribal Elections in Canada (3:40)
Canadians elect their federal government on June 28. The long-ruling Liberal Party, the rightwing Contrastive Party, the nationalist Bloc Quebecois, and the labour-backed New Democratic Party are each describing this election as a contest over basic values. Another impending election within the boundaries of Canada also provokes reflections on governance and accountability. The Mohawk community of Kanehsatake, near Montreal, should be going to the polls in elections for their Band Council in July. And the Chief James Gabriel is in a fight for his political life, amid allegations of corruption. From Kanehsatake and Toronto, Kristin Schwartz has the story.
