September 4, 2008
- Community Activist Weighs in on Charges Against the RNC 8
- Deconstructing Sarah Palin
- Race, Women and Sarah Palin
- Republicans and Immigration
- Sheriff Fletcher Spells out Infiltration Tactics against the RNC Welcoming Committee
- Hurricane Gustav Evacuees Make Their Way Back Home
- More than 400,000 Displaced as a Result of Violence between Pakistani Military and Taliban
HEADLINES
charges. As part of a plea deal will resign within 14 days and give up
his pension benefits. Kilpatrick will also spend four months in jail
and pay 1 million dollars to the city in restitution. Kilpatrick was
charged with perjury after lying about an affair he had with a former
member of his staff. He was then charged with felony assault for
shoving a police detective trying to serve a subpoena. In court today,
the mayor admitted to lying under oath.
today he would not step down from his post – despite continuing calls
from protesters camped out on his office grounds. But the Prime
Minister has agreed to hold a national referendum in October to end the
political crisis. Critics blame Sundaravej for economic problems and
for not controlling a Muslim insurgency in the southern part of the
country. Protests against the P-M have escalated, sometimes violently.
Attempts by Sundaravej to convince the army and police forces to
remove protesters have failed.
the Freedom of Information Act has been successful in demanding the
release of secret government emails and memos. It’s believed they show
how ministers made the case for an invasion of Iraq with false claims
that Saddam Hussein could attack with chemical weapons within 45
minutes. From London, Naomi Fowler reports:’
Davis a death warrant, clearing the way for execution by lethal
injection on September 23. Davis was convicted for the 1989 murder of
a Savannah police officer. Nine witnesses testified at the trial that
they saw Davis pull the trigger. But since then, seven of those
witnesses say they aren’t sure who shot the officer. Davis’ lawyers
and Amnesty International USA, which is leading a grassroots effort to
grant Davis another trial, are now pinning their hopes on the Georgia
Board of Pardons and Paroles to step in once again and stay the
execution. The Board did so on the eve of Davis’ previous 2007
execution date. Amnesty International says they are shocked and that
the death warrant amounts to an “appalling display of injustice.”
Davis’ final petition before the US Supreme Court is still pending.
Academy of Sciences shows that Bisphenol A – a chemical used to make
shatter proof plastic – causes mood disorders in primates. And the
National Toxicology Program just released its own report saying they
have “some concern” Bisphenol A is linked to health and developmental
problems. Despite the recent findings, the battle to ban the chemical
in baby bottles continues. Francesca Rheannon of Corporate Watchdog
Radio reports.
after a two-day boycott over unequal education funding. Illinois State
Senator James Meeks, a pastor at the 24-thousand member Salem Baptist
Church of Chicago, organized the protest, originally calling for a
4-day boycott. In Illinois, 70 percent of school funding comes from
property taxes and poorer districts are less funded. The Illinois
governor said he would not meet to discuss the issue until the protest
ended. Meeks’ office says the meeting is being set up for early next
week. Meeks is also tapping the business community – who organized
presentations at businesses around Chicago for the hundreds of striking
students – to help lawmakers and administrators devise a school funding
solution that is more equitable.
FEATURES
Community Activist Weighs in on Charges Against the RNC 8
As of air time, 320 people have been arrest; 135 are charged with felonies, the most common charges include conspiracy to riot and criminal damage to property. Minnesota state’s Patriot Act. Monica Bicking, Eryn Trimmer, Luce Guillen Givins, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, Robert Czernik, Garrett Fitzgerald and Max Spector were all processed yesterday on terrorism charges which could result in up to 10 years in prison. FSRN caught up with Michelle Gross from Communities United Against Police Brutality, who sat through the Ramsey County Courthouse felony calendar, and says the charges are a sham.
Deconstructing Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin accepted her party’s nomination for Vice President last night. Palin used her time on stage to attack her opponents and promise to produce more energy domestically. But critics worry that her claims don’t hold water. FSRN’s Tanya Snyder was on the floor watching the speech.
Race, Women and Sarah Palin
Our Karen Miller has been speaking with different groups about supporting Sarah Palin. We speak with out reporter Karen Miller, who takes a look at women, race and the vice presidential candidate.
Republicans and Immigration
The Republican Party has spelled out its new platform on immigration. It cements the policies of the more hard-line faction of the party, calling for an enforcement-only policy backed by increased border controls. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell has the story.
Sheriff Fletcher Spells out Infiltration Tactics against the RNC Welcoming Committee
FSRN’s Aura Bogado headed down to the Ramsey County Jail yesterday, where a few hundred supporters were camped out, waiting for their friends and loved ones to be set free. Many charged with misdemeanors were released yesterday on their own recognizance. She spoke with Sheriff Bob Fletcher about the terrorism charges against the RNC 8, and about the tactics that his officers, along with federal authorities, used to infiltrate and gather intelligence on the RNC Welcoming Committee.
Hurricane Gustav Evacuees Make Their Way Back Home
Evacuees from Hurricane Gustav began their exodus back into New Orleans and nearby parishes on Wednesday. FSRN’s Dolores M. Bernal reports on how evacuees dealt with being away from home and how they’ll try to get back on their feet after many of them missed going to work for almost a week.
More than 400,000 Displaced as a Result of Violence between Pakistani Military and Taliban
The Pakistani government summoned the US Ambassador in Islamabad today to protest a cross-border raid that killed as many as 20 civilians in Pakistan’s tribal belt Wednesday morning. The Bush Administration has not commented, but a Pentagon source told Reuters that the soldiers who were dropped into Pakistan by helicopter were US Special Forces targeting suspected Al Qaeda militants. It’s the first publicly acknowledged ground assault within Pakistani territory by foreign troops based in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani military is waging its own campaign against Taliban influence in Northwest Pakistan. Violence there has displaced more than 400,000 people in the last three months alone. The displaced live in about 40 temporary camps near the city of Peshawar. FSRN’s Afridai Afridi visited one of the camps. FSRN’s Max Pringle brings us his report.
