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ACTIVIST RESOURCES

Global social justice movement resources
Collection of interviews and Web sites with contacts for breaking news about the global social justice movement. (Audio files in MP3 and RealAudio formats.)

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Hungry for more news from "Between The Lines?"

Many BTL interviews are excerpted from Scott Harris' WPKN program, "Counterpoint." To hear more in-depth analysis you'll rarely hear in corporate media, listen to "Counterpoint" LIVE Monday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. ET.

Listen during the above time slot by clicking here!

Check out our
new archive
of selected in-depth interviews and other audio collectibles on our distribution production company's site at www.squeakywheel.net


WPKN Radio mentioned in Danny Schechter's "The News Dissector" column on independent media values. Click here to view the column on Mediachannel.org.

New Haven Advocate's
"Best of New Haven 2001"
-- Staff Picks --
Scott Harris, Best Radio News Reporter
WPKN Radio, 89.5 FM

"Giving Voice to Dissent: Bridgeport's WPKN Radio Covers The News With Left-Of-Center Takes Not Found In The Mainstream Media" Hartford Courant, Feb. 26, 2003

"The Rest of the News," New Haven Advocate, July 3, 2003


ISSUES IN-DEPTH

War And Profiteering

Those Who Dared to Come Forward
Compilation of Washington insiders speaking out on Bush administration policies and actions

Project for the New American Century's Letter to President Clinton on Iraq, Jan. 26, 1998 Urges President Clinton to remove the threat that Iraq poses by stating a strategy to do so in his "upcoming State of the Union Address."

"Iraq On The Record," U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman report, March 16, 2004

"Greenspan Testimony Highlights Bush Plan for Deliberate Federal Bankruptcy," by Michael Meurer, truthout.org, March 2, 2004

"Noam Chomsky on Middle East Conflict and U.S. War Plan Against Iraq," Between The Lines interview with Noam Chomsky, conducted by Scott Harris, for the Week Ending May 3, 2002

"The Iraq War & The Bush Administration's Pursuit of Global Domination," Counterpoint, Sept. 15, 2003

The Iraq Crisis, a Global Policy Forum, U.N. Security Council section on the 13 years of sanctions and other background of the war, the humanitarian situation, the importance of Iraq's huge oil resources, and disputes over a post-war government and reconstruction plan

"Occupation, Inc." Southern Exposure, Winter, 2003/2004

"Pipeline Politics: Oil, The Taliban, and the Political Balance of Central Asia," World Press Review Special Report, Nov.-Dec. 2001

"War Profiteering," by The Nation editors, April 24, 2003

"An Annotated Saddam Chronology," ZNet, Dec. 15, 2003

Civil Liberties

"The Global Gulag: Into The Shadows," by Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch.com, April 5, 2004

"Keeping Secrets: The Bush administration is doing the public's business out of the public eye. Here's how--and why," by Christopher H. Schmitt and Edward T. Pound, U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 12, 2003

"FBI Memo: Tactics Used During Protests And Demonstrations" Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oct. 15, 2003

"F.B.I. Scrutinizes Antiwar Rallies" by Eric Lichtblau, New York Times, Nov. 23, 2003

"Fascism Anyone?" 14 Signs of Fascism, Free Inquiry Magazine, Volume 23, No. 2

"Germany In 1933: The Easy Slide Into Fascism," The Crisis Papers, June 9, 2003

Multi-Ethnic Issues Advocacy

Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson's Commentaries, The Hutchinson Report
and in Audio (needs RealPlayer)

Between
The Lines

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Between The Lines
For The Week Ending March 18, 2005

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

  • Peace Process Bound to Fail
    if Israel Expands West Bank Settlements

    For story text and audio, Click here!

  • Bush Administration May Reject
    Ratification of International Tobacco Control Treaty

    For story text and audio, Click here!

  • Connecticut Set to Become
    2nd State to Pass
    Same-Sex Civil Union Bill

    For story text and audio, Click here!

  • Underreported News Summary
    from Around the World

    For full summary and audio, Click here!
LISTEN to this week's half-hour program of Between The Lines by clicking on one of the links below. MP3 files available until March 22, 2005.

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

Peace Process Bound to Fail
if Israel Expands West Bank Settlements

Interview with Dr. Jeff Halper,
coordinating director of the
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions,
conducted by Scott Harris

Since the election of Mahmoud Abbas as president of the Palestinian Authority, there's been renewed hope that progress could be made in restarting negotiations, leading to a viable peace between Israelis and Palestinians. But a Palestinian suicide bombing on Feb. 25 in Tel Aviv that killed five Israelis, shattered a fragile ceasefire and caused the government of Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to delay the promised release of Palestinian prisoners and a pull back from West Bank cities.

Abbas, reacting angrily to the delay in implementation, accused Sharon of undermining peace efforts and threatening what had been achieved thus far in restarting the peace process. He went on to say that Palestinians would not accept an expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank as a trade-off for Sharon's planned withdrawal of Israeli settlers from Gaza. Sharon maintains that Abbas must take firm action to dismantle militant groups before fundamental issues can be addressed.

Although the U.S. press rarely focuses on Israel's peace movement, many Israelis support the withdrawal of all settlements from Palestinian territory in exchange for security. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Dr. Jeff Halper, coordinating director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions - and a professor of anthropology, who talks about his group's efforts to stop the Israeli military's systematic destruction of Palestinian homes. Dr. Halper, an American Jew who emigrated to Israel in 1973 also discusses policy changes that he believes could increase the prospects for lasting peace.

Learn more about the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions by visiting their website at www.icahd.org

Bush Administration May Reject
Ratification of International Tobacco Control Treaty

Interview with Derek Yach,
one of the principle drafters of the International Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control,
conducted by Melinda Tuhus

An international anti-tobacco treaty went into effect on Feb. 27th that aims to reduce smoking-related disease and death around the world. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was signed by 168 countries, but so far ratified by only 57, including some of the largest nations such as India, Japan and Germany. Two major countries that have not yet ratified the treaty are China, which is expected to, and the United States, where Senate ratification is uncertain.

Ratifying nations must set targets for imposing price and tax increases on cigarettes, enact laws to protect the public from second-hand smoke, and enforce restrictions on the sale of tobacco products to minors, among other things. The World Heatlh Organization estimates that tobacco-related illnesses kill one smoker every 6.5 seconds around the globe.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Derek Yach, the official from the World Health Organization in charge of drafting the treaty, which was completed in 2003. He now heads the Division of Global Health at Yale University's School of Public Health. He says in order to be effective, the treaty needs protocols that set up specific reduction targets. And, he explains that while the U.S. Justice Department has taken a strong stand against abuses by tobacco companies, the Bush administration may still oppose ratification of this treaty.

For more information, visit the World Health Organization's website at www.who.int

Connecticut Set to Become
2nd State to Pass
Same-Sex Civil Union Bill

Interview with Ann Stanback,
president of the group Love Makes a Family,
conducted by Scott Harris

Connecticut's state legislature is now considering a bill that could make the state the second in the nation, following Vermont, to adopt civil union protections for same-sex couples. Backers of the legislation predicted final passage after the powerful Judiciary Committee endorsed the measure in a 25 to 13 vote and Connecticut's Republican Gov. Jodi Rell openly gave her support.

Civil unions provide same sex couples with many of the same rights and responsibilities as traditional marriage, including a voice in medical care issues and legal standing to inherit money and property. But civil unions are not recognized across state borders or by the federal government. Whatever the final outcome of the legislation, Connecticut's courts will also be weighing in on the issue after deciding a lawsuit filed by seven gay and lesbian couples after they were denied a Connecticut marriage license in August.

A coalition backing gay marriage in the state originally opposed the civil union bill, but changed course when supportive legislators promised that they would not abandon the fight for full marriage rights for gay couples. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Anne Stanback, president of Love Makes a Family, Connecticut's main coalition working for same-sex marriage equality. Stanback explains the shifting debate on the legislation and why she views gay marriage as a civil rights issue.

Contact Love Makes a Family by calling (860) 525-7777 or visit their website at www.lmfct.org

This week's summary
of under-reported news

Compiled by Bob Nixon

  • Major international non-governmental organizations like Oxfam and Amnesty International are now dealing with top corporate leaders on issues like fair trade and human rights. ("From the streets to the inner sanctum," Los Angeles Times, Feb. 20, 2005)
  • After President Bush proposed dramatic cuts in social programs, progressive groups foresee the most intense budget fight since 1995, when Newt Gingrich and the House of Representatives shut down the federal government. ("Squeeze Time," The American Prospect, March 2005)
  • The EPA is set to release new mercury emission regulations that are expected to allow polluters to trade rights to release the toxic agent. ("Bush's EPA prepares to go easy on Toxic Mercury Emissions," Public Citizen News, January/February, 2005)

DOWNLOAD this week's half-hour program of Between The Lines by clicking on one of the links below. Needs Quicktime Player or your favorite MP3 player. Note: Make sure your browser is set for streaming or download depending on your connection speed. MP3 files available until March 22, 2005

Note to our broadcast affiliates: We are now offering FTP access for faster, more reliable download of our broadcast quality files. Please call Anna Manzo at (203) 268-8446 ext. 2, to register for FTP logon access or send feedback to us at betweenthelines@snet.net.

Credits:
Senior news editor: Bob Nixon
Program narration: Sasha Summer Cousineau
News reader: Denise Manzari
Segment producers: Melinda Tuhus and Denise Manzari
Distribution: Anna Manzo, Harry Minot, Jeff Yates, Bill Cosentino
Senior Web editor/producer: Anna Manzo
Web producer: Jeff Yates
Newswire editor: Hank Hoffman
Executive producer: Scott Harris
Theme music: Mikata


Between The Lines
Airs on WPKN 89.5 FM ET
Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesdays, 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
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(c)2005 Squeaky Wheel Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

... MORE ...

Last Week's Program

Between The Lines Week Ending 3/11/05

Between The Lines Community Forum

Share your thoughts with the Between The Lines crew and listeners' community!

Between The Lines Special Report

"Unwelcome Guests at a Coronation," Jan. 20, 2005 Counter-Inaugural Speeches and Protests

U.S. Politics

"Schwarzenegger Forged Video 'News' Reports," Associated Press, Mar. 11, 2005

"Elections Run By Same People Who Sell Toothpaste," by Noam Chomsky, International Relations Center, Mar. 11, 2005

"Bankruptcy Bill; The Senate Opens Fire On U.S. Consumers," by Arianna Huffington, AriannaOnline.com, Mar.10, 2005

"Open Despairing Letter To Senator Reid," by Stephanie Drayton, DailyKos.com, Mar. 9, 2005

"John McCain, Hypocrite," by Doug Ireland, DIreland.com, Mar. 9, 2005

More newswire ...

Bush Regime

"Bush's Choreographed Social Security Events Belie Public's Lukewarm Support," Associated Press, Mar. 11, 2005

"So Much For The 'New' Bush Economy," by Paul Craig Roberts, Counterpunch, Mar. 10, 2005

"Protesters Greet Bush During Visit To Promote Social Security Privatization," WAVE3-TV (Louisville,KY), Mar. 10, 2005

"John Bolton And The U.N.: The Enemy Within," by Sidney Blumenthal, Guardian/UK, Mar. 10, 2005

"A Bush Speech Judged Aggressive Inflames Oil Prices," Agence France Presse, Mar. 9, 2005

"Secret FBI Report Questions Al-Qaeda's Capabilities In U.S.," ABC News, Mar. 9, 2005

More newswire ...

American Empire/War Profiteering

"Are We In World War IV?," by Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch.com, Mar. 10, 2005

"War On Terror May Breed More Terrorism, Experts Tell Madrid Summit," Agence France Presse, Mar. 9, 2005

"10 Questions The Senate Shoukd Ask John Bolton At His Confirmation Hearing, But Probably Won't," by Phyllis Bennis, Institute for Policy Studies, Mar. 9, 2005

"Army Says Recruiting All-Volunteer Force 'Increasingly Difficult,'" Christian Science Monitor, Mar. 9, 2005

"Rice Will Confront Resentment Over U.S. 'Meddling' During Visit To Mexico," Associated Press, Mar. 9, 2005

"Murder Or Ouster For Chavez?," by Jacob G. Hornberger, Future of Freedom Foundation, Mar. 7, 2005

More newswire ...

"Postwar" Occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan

"Army, CIA Agreed On 'Ghost' Prisoners," Washington Post, Mar. 11, 2005

"Pulitzer Winner Hersh Gives Skeptical Outlook On Iraq," Brown Daily Herald (Providence, R.I.), Mar. 9, 2005

"Fear And Killing At Checkpoints," Christian Science Monitor, Mar. 9, 2005

"The Invisible Wounded; Flights Arrive Only At Night," by Mark Benjamin, Salon.com, Mar. 8, 2005

More newswire ...

Civil Liberties/ Human Rights

"Human Rights Groups: Latest Abuse Investigation Report A Whitewash," by Jim Lobe, Antiwar.com, Mar. 12, 2005

"Annan Attacks U.S., U.K. Over Erosion Of Rights In 'War On Terror,'" Guardian/UK, Mar. 11, 2005

"Pentagon Clears Pentagon Top Personnel, Policies In Abuse Cases," Reuters, Mar. 10, 2005

"Curbing Terror Or Menacing Freedom?," The Economist/UK, Mar. 10, 2005

"Ex-CIA Lawyer Calls For Law On Rendition," UPI, Mar. 9, 2005

More newswire ...

Media Issues

"Happy Fantasies: America's Magical Kingdom," by David Lindorff, Counterpunch, Mar. 11, 2005

"Free Speech Impediment, ABC's "Boston Legal' Purged Of Mentions Of Fox News," by Rory O'Connor, Alternet, Mar. 10, 2005

"Pentagon Propaganda Secures A Public Outlet," St. Petersburg Times (Florida), Mar. 9, 2005

"Save Democracy, Shut Off Chris Matthews," by Elliot D. Cohen, Ph.D., MediaChannel.org, Mar. 9, 2005

"The New York Times, A Massacre And Bush's Deputy National Security Adviser," by David Corn, DavidCorn.com, Mar. 9, 2005

More newswire ...

Activism

"Vets: The New Face Of Protest?," by Karen Houppert, The Nation, Mar. 11, 2005

"What Now For The Peace Movement?," by Amy Quinn, TomPaine.com, Mar. 10, 2005

"Burlington Votes To Bring The Troops Home Now," by James Marc Leas, Colleen McLaughlin & Ashley Smith, ZNet, Mar. 10, 2005

"MoveOn.org: Making Peace With The War In Iraq," by Norman Solomon, Common Dreams, Mar. 10, 2005

"Former Marine Offers Cautionary War Story," Times Union (Albany, New York), Mar. 9, 2005

More newswire ...

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