Newscast for Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Obama’s plans for increased funds for infrastructure, tax breaks face uphill battle in Congress
President Obama is looking for ways to boost the economy: he wants to extend some 130 billion dollars in tax breaks to businesses, and invest billions more in roads and railways. As FSRN’s Jacob Fenston reports, these proposals should have bipartisan appeal, but still face a tough road ahead in Congress.

Economy takes center stage as mid term elections heat up
As FSRN's Jacob Fenston just reported, the economy is expected to be the biggest issue this campaign season. With the mid term elections just 9 weeks away the 2010 campaign races are well underway. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Religious leaders join to condemn anti-Islamic actions
Interfaith leaders met in Washington DC today to condemn attacks against Muslims across the country and the growing anti-Muslim sentiment emerging from the proposed Islamic center in Manhattan. Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other faith leaders met this morning to develop a response to the religious intolerance. Cardinal Theodore Mccarrick said this is a moment that calls for a powerful response.

"Religious leaders cannot stand by in silence...so many good, wonderful people around our country...who are playing a role in our society, which is constructive and which is excellent...we're happy you're here, we love you...and this is why we are here."

Monday afternoon, interfaith leaders also met with Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss the spate of violence and intimidation against Muslims, including attacks on mosques and the stabbing of a Muslim cab driver in New York.

This comes just days before Dove World Outreach Center, an evangelical church in Gainseville, Florida says it will burn Korans on September 11.

That planned action has drawn international condemnation and US leaders have also begun to speak out. In a statement today, General David Petraeus said it could endanger US troops and the overall mission in Afghanistan. This is Pentagon spokesperson Geoff Morrell speaking on MSNBC today:

"This Koran burning has not even taken place yet...so it's not helpful...the trust and confidence of the Arab world."

In Afghanistan on Monday about 500 residents protested the planned Koran burning, according to ABC news, themselves burning American flags and an effigy of the church’s pastor, Terry Jones.

Kabul Bank crisis draws attention to US role in Afghan corruption
Also in Afghanistan, banking officials tried to restore calm after nearly a week of financial panic caused by uncertainty in Kabul Bank. Government officials said today that they are freezing the assets of some of the shareholders of the troubled Kabul Bank. In recent days, thousands of depositors lined up to withdrawal their money after news came out about mismanaged funds and the removal of two bank officials.

The lateset bank scandal involving executives with ties to the government raises questions about how corruption is connected to the US led war in Afghanistan. To explore this issue, we're joined by Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould, authors of the book, Invisible History: Afghanistan's Untold Story. They began reporting in Afghanistan in 1981 when they were the first American journalists to go behind Soviet lines. Work has appeared on PBS, ABC Nightline and other outlets. A new book is expected out in February 2011, Crossing Zero: The Afpak War at the Turning Point of American Empire.

Farm workers target Trader Joe’s in campaign to shed light on working conditions
Over the Labor Day Weekend, Farm worker advocates urged consumers to think about where their fruits and vegetables come from.  Laborers work long hours and are exposed to the sun and pesticides.  They make about $10,000 a year and have no benefits.  They're also exempt from federal protections for collective bargaining and overtime pay.  In the absence of federal protections, farm workers have launched campaigns for better wages and more humane working conditions.  With a string of victories behind them, including Taco Bell, Burger King and most recently the food service giant Sodexo,  the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers is now targeting Trader Joe's.  Sam Lewis reports.