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Bungled White House Battle against Terrorist Financing? Oct 25, 2007

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The US government spent 15 years tracking a Middle Eastern charity, the Holy Land Foundation, on suspicions it was financing terrorists. President Bush froze its assets after September 11 and prosecutors filed criminal charges. The case fell apart this week. Also, the President tours a scorched southern California, and Facebook becomes a money machine. Jim Sterngold guest hosts.

Is America Drying Up? Oct 24, 2007

Show notes

California is tinder dry. The Southeast is facing a critical shortage of water. Winter is coming late to the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic. Iis it just a spell of weird weather or long-term climate change? Will industry, agriculture and residential development have to adapt to stave off disaster? Also, a trickle of good news on the fires raging across southern California, and it's the Red Sox and the Rockies in this year's World Series.

The World Awash in American Weapons Oct 23, 2007

Show notes

There's a boom in both legal and illegal weapons sales worldwide. The US is both the leading exporter and the leading target on the black market. Also, a federal state of emergency as 17 fires rage out of control in southern California, and tensions flare on the Turkey-Iraq border.

Is It Time to Reform Education Reform? Oct 22, 2007

Show notes

President Bush wants Congress to renew No Child Left Behind, but after five years there's little consensus on education reform. Also, an update on the wildfires burning throughout southern California.

Pakistan's Leadership Crisis and Nuclear Weapons Oct 19, 2007

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Last night's deadly bombing has dramatized political instability in Pakistan, a crucial American ally despite a record of nuclear proliferation. Did the US allow Pakistan to become a nuclear power and engage in illegal weapons trade? What can be done now? Also, bright lights will go out in California's big cities on Saturday night.

Is Mukasey the Right Man for the Job? Oct 18, 2007

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After a smooth day yesterday, former Judge Michael Mukasey got into trouble today on the issue of waterboarding. Is it torture? Is it Constitutional? Will it get in the way of Mukasey's confirmation as Attorney General? Also, the House fails to override the President's veto of SCHIP, and Benazir Bhutto returns to Pakistan.

Middle East Peace and a Divided Administration Oct 16, 2007

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Condoleezza Rice says a Palestinian state is at hand, but organizing a peace conference for next month is problematic. We hear about differences between Israel and its neighbors, and within the Bush Administration. Also, Russian President Putin has strong words for the US, and an insider trading case reveals new information about wiretapping in the interests of national defense.

The CIA: Who Watches the Watchdogs? Oct 15, 2007

Show notes

The CIA's Inspector General has criticized overseas prisons, interrogations and intelligence failures. Now the CIA is investigating the Inspector General. have career agents been treated unfairly? Is it a conflict of interest to investigate the investigator? Also, a possible victory over al Qaeda in Iraq, and Greece gets serious about the return of the Elgin Marbles.

War and Peace, and the Importance of Language Oct 12, 2007

Show notes

One and a half million Armenians were slaughtered almost 100 years ago. Yesterday, a committee of Congress labeled it "genocide." Also, Al Gore and the Nobel Peace Prize.

Farm Labor, Immigration and Food Security Oct 11, 2007

Show notes

American farmers insist that immigration enforcement has dried up the supply of farm labor. Some are resorting to prison inmates and others are moving to Mexico. Also, Turkey recalls its ambassador over the Armenian genocide bill, plus Vice President Cheney and the expansion of executive power.

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