THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES REPORT ON BUSH TORTURE PRACTICES & POLICIES It began with a presidential determination that the U.S. need not observe Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention regarding abuse of al Queda and Taliban detainees, and it quickly morphed into an interrogation methodology copying that employed by Chinese Communists against American soldiers in Korea. But it was neither humane nor effective, argues Devon Chaffee of Human Rights First. Barak Obama has stated that when he is president, the U.S. will not torture and will honor the Geneva Conventions. Obama also stated in a TV interview that only if "somebody has blatantly broken the law" (emphasis added), they should be prosecuted, but Chaffee observes that Obama has taken nothing off the table regarding holding the culpable parties, including Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and White House Counsel Alberto Gonzalez, accountable. (Host: Mark Cohen)
REFORMING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT: WHAT IS TO BE DONE? The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel, which issues legal opinions to the Executive Branch, provided the Bush Administration with the legal rationale for its torture practices and, perhaps, a legal safe harbor from prosecution. In its firing of nine U.S. attorneys, critics charge that the Bush Justice Department elevated political loyalty over professionalism. Dan Marcus, associate attorney general under President Clinton and general counsel to the 9/11 Commission, offers suggestions on reforming DOJ and restoring its credibility. (Host: Angela Davis)
A LABOR-ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE FOR A GREEN JOBS STIMULUS PROGRAM Job promotion and a clean environment are frequently pitted against each other as social goods. But the Blue Green Alliance proposes to reconcile the two by supporting a massive federal stimulus package that aims to both put people to work and protect the climate and the planet. We chat with Roxanne Brown, assistant legislative director of the Steelworkers Union, about a forthcoming conference in Washington, DC that calls for “Good Jobs, Green Jobs”. (Host: Fred Feinstein)
Also this month in THE COFFEE HOUSE… Poet Greta Ehrig … Reuben Jackson reviews a book about three 70s pop divas… and Curtis Blues presents his one-man blues band…
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