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> Fri., May. 9, 2003
FSRN
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Today's lead stories:
Wiretaps and Tax Cuts in DC
Comparing Epidemics in China
Capital Punishment in Texas
Protecting Baghdad University
Racism in Immigration
Chiapas International Forum on US Militarization
Wiretaps and Tax Cuts in DC (3:49)
Some in Washington call it a compromise. The Senate has
rejected attempts to make permanent the Patriot Act's limits
on civil liberties. But the Senate did pass a bill that will
likely increase the use of wiretaps against foreigners on
US soil, namely in cases where so-called terrorist suspects
can't be connected to a larger group. Also on Capitol Hill,
the wrangling over the president's tax cut package continues.
Josh Chaffin reports from DC.
[top]
Comparing Epidemics in China (3:40)
As the SARS infection rates continue to climb in China,
the world’s largest populous country is struggling with
the epidemic. 20 years ago, China had to face several epidemic
diseases leading critics to charge the country was more concerned
about it’s image than the health of its own citizens.
AIDS has been for China what SARS is today, yet some argue,
the stigma that comes with AIDS has made that disease even
more deadly. Last August, Dr Wan Yanhai, a Chinese AIDS activist
and supporter of health issues concerning lesbian, gay men
and sex workers in China was arrested by the police after
coming form a gay and lesbian film screening. In playing a
prominent role in publicizing the extent of the spread of
AIDS throughout China, highlighting the connection between
blood transfusions and HIV/AIDS in the central province of
Henan, Yanhai was targeted. Alain Lefkowicz reports from Beijing
where the Chinese government’s track record with AIDS
in rural Chinese provinces may shed some light on how the
government is handling SARS.
[top]
Capital Punishment in Texas (3:00)
Earlier this week, the State of Texas executed Roger Dale
Vaughn, for the 1991 robbery and slaying of Dora Watkins.
Vaughn was the 14th Texas inmate executed this year and the
303rd person to receive a lethal injection since Texas resumed
capital punishment in 1984. Although several Texas lawmakers
have filed bills this year calling for a moratorium on the
states death penalty or for a study of the states system of
capital punishment, the Republican dominated state legislature
has killed every attempt at such measures. But one judge near
the state capitol is taking a political risk for sponsoring
a moratorium on Texas death penalty cases until a study can
be conducted. Eric Thompson of Houston Pacifica station KPFT
covers the story from outside of the death chamber in Huntsville,
Texas.
[top]
Protecting Baghdad University (3:42)
After the US military detained an Iraqi academic on Monday,
her US publishers today said that the arrest of Dr Huda Ammash
may be politically motivated. Dr Ammash, author of "Toxic
Pollution, the Gulf War, and Sanctions" for South End
Press is accused by the military of overseeing Iraq's purported
development of biological weapons. And from Baghdad, Rafael
Krafft has this reports on university system in Baghdad.
[top]
Racism in Immigration (3:07)
Immigrants are confronting a rising tide of anti immigrant
racism in American society- that has targeted all immigrants
rich and poor. Over a dozen organizations from the AFL CIO
to the council of Latino Agencies for Northern Virginia gathered
in Washington DC to map out a national strategy to protect
low income immigrants. Immigrant rights advocates say the
Bush administrations war on terror is becoming a war on US
immigrants, legal and illegal. Right wing hate groups like
the clan have used the tradgedy of September 11th to mobilize
in conservative communities. And as Tom Gomez reports from
DC, evidence is mounting that these anti immigrant organizations
have the support of the INS.
[top]
Chiapas International Forum on US Militarization (3:23)
This week in Chiapas Mexico, people from some 35 countries
have gathered in the first hemispheric forum against the increasing
militarization worldwide to develop strategies to counter
the politics of war, faced by the world’s majority.
Luz Ruiz and Tim Russo report on the often censored stories
exposed in the event that concluded today.
[top]
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