THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

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  This week we present Between The Lines' summary
  of under-reported news stories and:

  Critics Say GOP Economic Stimulus Plan is
  Nothing Less than Profiteering in the Name of Patriotism
  Interview by Scott Harris.

  With the highest unemployment rate in a decade, an ailing stock market and consumer confidence in decline, the U.S. economy is heading for a deep recession. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 aggravated an already shaky economy and motivated both the White House and Congress to propose economic stimulus packages

  But a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives has been widely criticized for what many observers say is an unprecedented tax giveaway to the nation's wealthiest corporations while virtually ignoring the plight of laid-off workers. The legislation, which narrowly passed the House, repeals the alternative minimum tax, making the measure retroactive for 15 years. If signed into law, the nation's largest companies would reap substantial rewards. IBM would get $1.4 billion, General Motors $833 million and General Electric would gain $671 million. The Senate will soon consider their own economic stimulus package.

  Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Bob Borosage, co-director with the Campaign for America's Future, who critically examines the corporate giveaways included in the House bill which his group has characterized as "profiteering in the name of patriotism."

  Contact the Campaign for America's Future by calling (202) 955-5665 or visit their Web site at http://www.ourfuture.org

  Groups Demand Information on Over 1,000 Detained
  Immigrants Held in Secret Since Sept. 11 Terror Attacks
  Interview by Scott Harris.

  With the USA Patriot Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush October 26th, federal law enforcement agencies now have the expanded power to monitor and investigate individuals they suspect may be connected with terrorist groups. These new powers include roving telephone wiretaps, Internet surveillance and secret, or "sneak and peak", searches of suspect's homes and offices. Of great concern to many civil liberties advocatse around the country is the fact that these new powers are subject to reduced judicial oversight.

  But equally alarming to civil liberties groups is the ongoing detention of more than 1,000 immigrants who were rounded up by the U.S. Department of Justice in the days following the September 11th terror attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. Little or no information about who is being held, why and their location has been made public - with many family members unaware of ho to contact their relatives in custody.

  Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Ken Gude, a policy analyst with the Center for National Security Studies, who discusses the status of the detainees. The Center is part of a coalition of groups which have demanded information from the government on the detainees under the Freedom of Information Act.

  You can contact the Center for National Security Studies by calling area code (202) 944-7060 or visit their web site at: http://www.cnss.gwu.edu

  18 Arrested After Police Break Up
  October 25 Hartford, CT Peace Protest
  Interview by Melinda Tuhus.

  Even before the U.S. began its bombing campaign against the Taliban government of Afghanistan - thousands of American citizens demonstrated against the prospect of a new war. Although much of the corporate media either ignored or denigrated those calling for a more peaceful method of bringing the perpetrators of the September 11th terror attacks to justice - protests have taken place in hundreds of cities and on university campuses around the country.

  On October 25th students and other activists organized a peace protest in Connecticut's capitol city of Hartford. But when more than 200 demonstrators attempted to march from Bushnell Park to the office of U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman in rush hour traffic, police moved in using pepper spray and clubs to break up the crowd. One demonstrator - a 60 year old Vietnam Veteran - was hospitalized for a broken rib after being attacked by police.

  18 of those particpating in the march were arrested on a range of serious charges and held overnight on $10 to $50,000 bond. A Green party member of Hartford's city council has called for an investigation.

  To contribute to the Hartford 18's defense fund, contact the Danbury Independent Media Center at (203) 744-0763 or visit their web site at http://www.madhattersimc.org/

  This week's summary of under-reported news
  Compiled by Bob Nixon

  • Discrimination against immigrants and the fear in the wake of Sept. 11 derails U.S. plan to legalize undocumented Latin American workers.( In These Times, "Stuck at the Border," November 12, 2001.)
  • Anti-abortion activists pushing states to impose costly layers of regulations on family planning clinics. (Mother Jones, "The Quiet War on Abortion", September/October 2001)
  • The introduction of genetically engineered corn into Mexico may eradicate unique native varieties of the staple crop. (Sierra Magazine, "Tinkering with the Tortilla," Sept/Oct 2001)

  Credits:
  Senior news editor/writer: Bob Nixon
  Program narration: Arch Currie
  News narration: Zelphia Hunter
  Distribution: Anna Manzo, Harry Minot, Jeff Yates
  Web editor/producer: Anna Manzo
  Executive producer: Scott Harris

... MORE ...

Commentary on America's Crisis, from the Producer

"Respond to Terror With a Revolution of the Heart"

"Respond to Terror With a Revolution of the Heart," audio file in MP3.

Between The Lines' Special Reports on Fallout from Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks

Special Report, Week Ending Sept. 21, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Sept. 28, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 5, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 12, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 19, 2001

Ali Abunimah, vice president of Chicago's Arab American Action Network, interview in RealAudio, Sept. 12, 2001

In-Depth News Analysis

Third World Traveler, Foreign Policy section, collection of resources on www.thirdworldtraveler.com

"They can't see why they are hated: Americans cannot ignore what their government does abroad" by Seumas Milne, Guardian Unlimited, UK's Special Report on Terrorism in the U.S., Sept. 13, 2001

In-depth Reporting and Analysis of Sept. 11 Terror Attacks

AlerNet.org

The Nation magazine

Mediachannel.org

Economic Globalization Resources

ZNet's Global Economic Crisis resource site Excellent source for understanding global economics and trade issues and particularly in preparation for ongoing demonstrations about economic justice

"The Fight for Everything" A series of interviews with activists and leaders of grassroots, progressive groups analyzing the goals, strategy and tactics of the global social justice movement

Multi-Ethnic Public Issues Advocacy

Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson's Commentaries, The Hutchinson Report

Between The Lines' 10th Anniversary CD