Archive - Aug 19, 2009

• Specialty doctors criticized for opposing health care reform
• Whole Foods CEO´s views on health care reform spark progressive boycott
• LA Taxi drivers demand better working conditions
• Afghan government tells journalists to stop covering pre-election violence
• Afghans hope for high turnout during Thursday elections
• Secretary Clinton defends controversial US-Colombia military deal

• Bombs in Baghdad kill nearly 100 people
  
• Preview: Japanese elections
  
• Seattle voters turn down a surcharge on plastic grocery bags
  
• Judge overturns Oklahoma abortion law
  
• Arkansas freight company hit with EEOC reverse discrimination suit
  
• First World Humanitarian Day observed

As rumors circulate that the White House may drop its plans for a public option on health care reform, presidential aide Linda Douglass addressed these concerns. In a written statement today, Douglass said that the President wants to ensure there are affordable health care options for all Americans and increased competition in the insurance market.  She said the President still believes a public option is the best way to do this.

Meanwhile in Washington, a group of specialty doctors met Wednesday to discuss their  position toward health care reform.  Cardiologists, orthopedic Surgeons and other specialists have come under fire for their opposition to a public health care system. Critics say these doctors are only interested in protecting their pockets and keeping the status quo. FSRN´s Karen Miller has more.

As progressives, moderates and conservatives continue to debate health care reform, some powerful entities are also leveraging their influence, including a figure who´s now attracting attention from both sides of the political spectrum, John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods.

Some progressives have been displeased with the organic grocer for several years.

But Mackey´s recent op-ed on health care, published in the Wall Street Journal has spurred an organized boycott. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

More than 100 taxi drivers rallied in front of the Los Angeles City Hall yesterday, demanding city officials overhaul the current taxi system and improve drivers´ working conditions.  FSRN´s Leilani Albano has the story.

A sharp rise in violence continues in Afghanistan a day before its second national elections. The Taliban have made more attempts to limit people from voting, using threats, intimidation and violence. According to some reports, as many as 10 percent of the polling locations may not be able to open tomorrow due to poor security. Stories of election fraud are also threatening the legitimacy of tomorrow’s elections. And in a surprising move, the Afghan government has called on the media to refrain from reporting on terrorist attacks on election day.  Asma Nemati reports from Kabul.

Afghans hope for high turnout during Thursday elections
Despite the latest round of attacks by militants, including the death of six US troops today and the murders of six election workers this week,  many Afghans are hoping for a high turnout in tomorrow´s elections.  FSRN spoke with Omar Sharifi, an Afghan citizen living in Kabul. Sharifi directs the Kabul office of the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies.