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> Wed., Dec. 3, 2003
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Nathaniel Jones Death a Homicide
EPA Chief to Undo Mercury Protections
Behind the Geneva Accords
Holiday Shopping Fueling Sweatshop Economy?
Booksellers Fight Patriot Act
FSRN Headlines
Cincinnati Coroner Rules Nathaniel Jones Death a Homicide
– Evan Davis
The cause of death in the case of an Ohio man beaten by police
over the weekend has been ruled a homicide. Evan Davis has
more from Cincinnati.
Attica Settlement – Leslie George
In New York, the families of Attica prison guards killed by
state troopers 32 years ago are saying a proposed multi-million
dollar settlement falls short. From WBAI, Leslie George has
more.
Healthy Forest Initiative – Leigh Robartes
President Bush signed the Healthy Forest Initiative today.
Environmental groups depict the bill as a “giant gift
to the timber industry” and say it will fail to protect
communities. Leigh Robartes reports.
19th Anniversary of Bhopal – Vinod K. Jose
December 3rd is International Day of No Pesticides and the
19th anniversary of the explosion of the Union Carbide pesticide
plant in Bhopal. Vinod K. Jose reports from New Dehli.
Glow in the Dark Fish – Kellia Ramares
Should the Glo-Fish, America’s first genetically-altered
pet, be marketed in California? The California Fish and Game
Commission is expected to take that up today. More from Kellia
Ramares:
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Nathaniel Jones Death a Homicide
As we reported in the headlines, the Hamilton County corner
in Cincinnati has ruled the police clubbing death of Nathanial
Jones to be homicide. We are joined by Juleana Frierson the
Cincinnati Black United Front.
[top]
EPA Chief to Undo Mercury Protections
In one of his first acts as administrator for the Environmental
Protection Agency, Mike Leavitt confirmed that the EPA and
the White House are considering undoing regulations that force
power plants to reduce mercury emissions. Mercury is a poison
that is especially hazardous to children and pregnant women.
The EPA is rescinding a Clinton Administration ruling that
mercury is a health threat that requires power plants to use
new technology to reduce emissions. The EPA claims it has
another plan that will still reduce the toxic emission without
burdening businesses. Mitch Jeserich reports from DC.
[top]
Behind the Geneva Accords
Pledging economic and moral support for the region, the
European Union has ended two days of talks with Israel and
its Arab neighbors. However Europe’s Foreign Ministers
attending the meeting in Naples issued a statement saying
that Palestinian resistance groups and hardline Israeli policies
were "dooming the peace process." Meanwhile, the
public disclosure of the Geneva Accords, a draft peace proposal
between independent Israelis and Palestinians, has caused
much controversy both in the region and internationally. US
Secretary of State Colin Powell said he would meet with the
authors of the accords, while both Israeli Prime minister
Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat have
denounced it. We are joined by Ali Abuneimah, founder of Electronic
Intifada, who explains what the Geneva Accords encompass.
[top]
Holiday Shopping Fueling Sweatshop Economy?
The Christmas shopping season is off and running, following
a much-hyped day after Thanksgiving that saw American consumers
flocking to shopping malls in droves. In a Florida Wal-Mart
SuperCenter, one woman, Patricia VanLester, suffered a concussion
after being knocked unconscious in a frenzied grab for a thirty
dollar DVD player. Around the country, many are questioning
whether a mad dash for the cheapest possible goods is in keeping
with the holiday spirit. Critics say the drive for low-cost
Christmas goodies helps fuel a global sweatshop economy. John
Hamilton brings us this report.
[top]
Booksellers Fight Patriot Act
A House measure rolling back part of the USA Patriot Act
won't make it through Congress this year, but Idaho Republican
congressman Otter, who authored the measure, says he'll put
it on the agenda again early next year. The measure Otter
is pushing would prevent federal dollars from being spent
to implement warrants that allow sneak and peak searches where
the person being searched is not be informed. And with opposition
to the Patriot Act growing, corporate booksellers, giant chains
such as Borders and Barnes & Noble, have joined independent
booksellers in an uncharacteristic show of unity to oppose
Section 215 of the Patriot Act. Last month the American Booksellers
Foundation for Free Expression representing booksellers, librarians,
publishers and writers, filed a brief that strongly supports
an ACLU legal challenge to the constitutionality of Section
215. The provision gives the FBI virtually unlimited access
to personal, organization and business records, including
bookstore and library records. The US Justice Department filed
a motion to dismiss the case. But that hasn't stopped the
book selling community from speaking out. Martha Baskin reports.
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