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> Tue., June. 6, 2006
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Senate Brings Stirs around Constitutional Amendment to Ban
Same Sex Marriage
Voters Head Out for Bellwether Race
Lawsuit Filed against Colorado’s Electronic Voting Machines
Class Action Lawsuit Alleges VA Violated Privacy Rights
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Case Regarding Race as Basis
for Public School Admission
Indigenous Villagers in India Seeking Protection from Maoists
FSRN Headlines
Most Iraqi Deaths for a Month
The Iraqi Health Ministry said that nearly 1,400 civilians
in Baghdad alone died in targeted attacks in the month of
May, marking the highest monthly death toll since the invasion
began. David Enders reports.
Meanwhile, CNN is reporting that Navy investigators told
it that there is evidence that the shooting by US Marines
last April of an unarmed Iraqi man in Hamdaniya may have been
premeditated.
Iran Calls Incentives Positive Step
Iranian Chief Nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani says incentives
offered by 6 nations to encourage Iran to halt its nuclear
program is a positive step. He also says the proposal contains
ambiguities that will need further study before Tehran can
officially respond. The proposal has not been made public
but the BBC is reporting that they include light water reactors
and permission to buy US aircraft parts. European Union foreign
policy chief Javier Solana spoke with reporters after meeting
with Iranian officials. The six powers who drew up the package
say Iran should suspend its uranium enrichment program before
negotiations can begin. Iran says it will not give up its
right to a nuclear program.
Bloody US Hands in Somalia?
US officials are expressing concern over Islamic rebels taking
over the Somali Capitol of Mogadishu. State Department spokesperson
Sean McCormack said the government fears Somalia will become
a safe haven for Al Qaeda fighters. However, the United States
is also accused of having blood on its hands for the deaths
of civilians over the last four months of fighting there.
In its efforts to conduct its so called war on terror, the
US is alleged to support secular warlords who previously ran
Mogadishu. Asha A. Samad , Director Of the Somali Association
for Relief and Development, says many Somalis, most who are
Muslims, support the Islamic fighter who drove out the US
backed regime. Senior court officials in Somalia said preparations
were being made to bring all of Mogadishu under Islamic law.
Anti-Military Recruiting Activists on Trial
The trial continues today of the 12 protestors who blocked
a military recruiting station in Colorado last year. Sam Fuqua
reports from Boulder.
Landmark Eminent Domain Case Plaintiffs Evicted
The City Council of New London, Connecticut, voted to evict
the two remaining homeowners in a fight over eminent domain
that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. FSRN's Melinda
Tuhus reports from New Haven.
[top]
Senate Brings Stirs around Constitutional Amendment
to Ban Same Sex Marriage (4:03)
The Senate is at it again - debating a constitutional amendment
to ban same sex marriage. While critics say the issue is merely
an election year tactic to rally political bases, many in
the African American community are supporting both sides of
the issue. FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.
[top]
Voters Head Out for Bellwether Race (2:55)
Voters in 8 states: California, Alabama, Montana , Iowa,
Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota are heading
to the polls today in primary elections. 4 states are holding
Governor primaries, New Jersey and Montana have Senate battles,
and numerous other races will be contested across the country.
In California, one race will actually put a representative
in office. The 50th Congressional District has been called
a bellwether race for how voters may cast ballots on GOP candidates
in November. As Dan Fritz reports, a special election to replace
imprisoned Representative Randy “Duke” Cunningham
is highlighting ethical concerns.
[top]
Lawsuit Filed against Colorado’s Electronic
Voting Machines (2:28)
Colorado’s primary elections are just weeks away,
and there is growing concern in the state, and around the
nation, over the introduction of voting machines. FSRN’s
Maeve Conran reports from Boulder, where a lawsuit has been
filed, claiming the machines are inaccurate, susceptible to
security violations, and inaccessible to handicapped voters.
[top]
Class Action Lawsuit Alleges VA Violated Privacy
Rights (2:26)
Five national veterans' groups joined in filing a class
action lawsuit against Secretary of Veterans Affairs James
Nicolson, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs itself.
The class action lawsuit charges that the VA flagrantly disregarded
the privacy rights of veterans by illegally maintain a database
of personal information. The lawsuit is in response to the
May 3 theft of sensitive electronic information at the Montgomery
County, Maryland home of a VA data analyst. FSRN’s Selina
Musuta reports.
[top]
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Case Regarding Race
as Basis for Public School Admission (4:23)
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a case regarding the use
of race in determining school assignments, considering whether
public schools can advance racial diversity without infringing
the Constitution’s guarantee against discrimination.
The Court will hear appeals from parents in Washington and
Kentucky who claim that the racial factor used by school districts
has violated both state and federal laws, and has discriminated
against white students, barring them from attending local
popular schools. The Seattle district used several factors
for considering entrance, including proximity to the school
and whether a sibling already attended. We’re joined
on the line by ACLU Washington Staff Attorney Aaron Caplan.
[top]
Indigenous Villagers in India Seeking Protection
from Maoists (3:53)
The Indian government’s plan to sponsor some provincial
authorities to counter Maoists, has turned into a civil war
– with indigenous people, armed by the government, turning
on each other rather than fighting the Maoists. Human rights
activists are questioning the rationale behind supporting
Salwa Judum movement and are asking for its immediate abolition.
FSRN’s Binu Alex reports.
[top]
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