“Gitmo, Syria, and Beyond” with Eugene Puryear

This week, Eric sits down with activist and organizer Eugene Puryear to discuss a number of important issues. First, Eric and Eugene discuss the ongoing hunger strike at the Guantanamo concentration camp and the continued use of torture by the US authorities. Eugene also informs listeners about the demonstration he has helped organize in Washington for May 18th demanding the closure of Guantanamo and the end of systematic torture. Eric and Eugene also discuss the US-sponsored destabilization of Venezuela and the nature of the imperialist ruling class in the United States. In addition, they examine the current situation in Syria and the role of the United States in perpetuating this conflict for geopolitical reasons.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:10 — 5.1MB) | Embed

Eugene Puryear is an activist and organizer with the ANSWER Coalition. He was the Vice Presidential candidate from the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) in 2008. Eugene has helped organize demonstrations against the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the use of torture by the United States, and countless other important political and social causes. He is based in Washington DC.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:54:04 — 79.7MB) | Embed

IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

1. Syria
	No moves to shake up situation in Syria – Putin Six ways Assad has turned the tide in Syria Leave Syria or get killed, PM tells foreign militants Outrage at Syrian rebel shown ‘eating soldier’s heart’ Syria suggests joint investigation into blasts in Turkey Nasrallah attacks Al Arabiya for reporting death of Hezbollah members in Syria Chechens among jihadists in Syria
	Segment Start: 00 h 09 min 23 sec	Segment End: 00 h 43 min 19 sec
2. Pakistan
	Pakistan’s Sharif sends mixed message to U.S. Nawaz Sharif takes steps to revive Pakistan’s economy
	Segment Start: 00h 44 min 46 sec	Segment End: 01h 02 min 57 sec
3. Iran (Politics)
	Iran ex-President, Ahmadinejad aide join race as nominations end Meet Ahmadinejad’s chosen successor Congressman urges U.S. to foment ethnic tension in Iran
	Segment Start: 01 h 04 min 26 sec	Segment End: 01 h 22 min 48 sec
4. Iran (Economics)
	India ready for Iran port investment, mulls Iran-Pakistan pipeline Iran’s Ahmadinejad says mineral incomes can substitute oil revenues Iran discovers new gas reserves Iran: USD 28bn secured for development projects 20 water projects on agenda
	Segment Start: 01 h 24 min 11 sec	Segment End: 01 h 35 min 53 sec
5. Zimbabwe
	How do Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF hang on in Zimbabwe? Let’s protect our continent’s resources from foreigners MDC-T to unveil policy document Friday MDC-T also want land
	Segment Start: 01 h 37 min 47 sec	Segment End: 02 h 01 min 37 sec
6. Around Africa
	Prime Minister Kandil says he expects IMF loan deal within 45 days Egypt rethinks its subsidy system for the poor 2011 Somali famine worse than 1992’s Kiir threatens to sack cabinet members who speak against govt Sudan police break up protest against land sale to Arab investors Come grab our land We will rebuild shacks – residents
	Segment Start: 02 h 03 min 22 sec	Segment End: 02 h 24 min 25 sec
7. Under the Radar
	Russia detains alleged CIA officer in Moscow Karzai admits to being on secret US payroll Source: Qatar, Turkey, S. Arabia attempting to separate al-Anbar province from Iraq US, allies to hold military exercise in Persian Gulf Bolivian president Evo Morales expels USAID Venezuela’s President Maduro assures food shortages are due to “economic warfare” Guantanamo attorney dead in apparent suicide Banks rally against strict controls of foreign bets GMO labeling bill introduced in Congress Congressman Posey introduces bill requiring study of autism rate in vaccinated vs. unvaccinated Report warns of ‘catastrophic’ aboriginal uprising New app lets you boycott Koch brothers, Monsanto and more by scanning your shopping cart
	Segment Start: 02 h 25 min 46 sec	Segment End: 02 h 47 min 31 sec

“Free Mumia Now!” Johanna Fernandez

This week, Eric sits down with Johanna Fernandez to discuss the importance of Mumia Abu-Jamal and the movement to free him. Eric and Johanna examine some of the most critical details of the case while, at the same time, focusing on Mumia’s significance in the struggle for peace and social justice. Prof. Fernandez provides some of the relevant historical context that both explains why he is important, and why the white establishment in Philadelphia feared (and continues to fear) him. Additionally, Eric and Johanna broaden the discussion into an analysis of come of the most important struggles today, including the fight to end mass incarceration and police brutality. Finally, they discuss Mumia’s uncompromising stances on issues of imperialism and why, were he free today, we’d have a much better chance of mounting effective resistance.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:09 — 5.1MB) | Embed

Johanna Fernandez is a Professor of History at Baruch College – CUNY. Prof. Fernandez is a co-coordinator of Educators for Mumia Abu-Jamal. She is also the writer and producer of “Justice on Trial: The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal.”

“In Defense of Teachers” with Nick Penkovsky

This week Eric sits down with attorney Nick Penkovsky who has represented a number of New York City public school teachers. Eric and Nick discuss the political and legal attacks on teachers as they are deprived of due process and other Constitutional rights. Nick explains the recent history of this phenomenon and describes the way in which the whole hearing process is essentially fraudulent. Additionally, Eric and Nick examine various examples in which corporations and their political servants use “education reform” to destroy teachers and make billions in profits through the privatization of education. Eric details his first-hand experience with, and knowledge of, the Common Core Standards, proposed as part of Obama’s so-called “Race to the Top” and how they benefit corporations at the cost of our children’s learning. All this and much more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:26 — 5.2MB) | Embed

Nick Penkovsky is an attorney in New York City.  He has vigorously defended a number of New York City teachers who have been unfairly punished and sent to languish in the infamous “rubber room”.  Penkovsky continues to fight on behalf of teachers both by defending them during the hearing process and by publicizing these cases.  Visit his website at www.photolaw4u.com.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:01:09 — 82.9MB) | Embed

IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

1.  United States
	Boston bombing suspect cites U.S. wars as motivation, officials say Martial law in Boston: American democracy in shambles Canadian government unveils “terror plot” as it adopts draconian new law New report on torture, extraordinary rendition The money helping CISPA through Congress CISPA’s immunity provision would allow corporate hacking
	Segment Start: 00 h 11 min 08 sec	Segment End: 00 h 48 min 22 sec
2. Syria
	Syria govt. forces clear more areas around Homs Qatar faces backlash among rebel groups in Syria Syria censures EU plan to buy oil from militants Kerry tells NATO to prepare for Syrian chemical weapons Crossing Obama’s “red line” on Syria will require concrete proof Israel accuses Syria of using chemical weapons against rebels Testimony reveals Hagel-Kerry rift on Syria Russia warns EU not to lift Syria arms ban, UK keeps pushing Pacific Fleet naval force to enter Mediterranean Sea in mid-May
	Segment Start: 00h 49 min 14 sec	Segment End: 01h 16 min 58 sec
3. Venezuela
	The United States shows its contempt for Venezuelan democracy Claims of fraud in Venezuela: The fake evidence of Henrique Capriles Venezuela’s Maduro announces “new cycle of the revolution”
	Segment Start: 01 h 18 min 12 sec	Segment End: 01 h 40 min 30 sec
4. Libya
	Car bomb targets French embassy in Libya, wounding 3 and reflecting deepening lawlessness Libya deposits $2 bln in Egypt cbank from investments The IMF releases its latest economic forecasts – Libya good in short term, but needs reform in long term Libya probe into pipelines blast points to sabotage Libya to build 11 stadiums for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
	Segment Start: 01 h 43 min 17 sec	Segment End: 01 h 58 min 00 sec
5. Nigeria
	It’s Nigeria, Chad, Niger operation – army Nigeria Christians threaten religious war Nigeria signs deals to sell power assets in big drive to privatise
	Segment Start: 01 h 59 min 44 sec	Segment End: 02 h 13 min 25 sec
6. U.S. Labor
	At least 100 dead in latest Bangladesh garment disaster FedEx signs new $10.5 billion contract with USPS Proposed bill would end 40-hour work week Fruits and vegetables, but no health guarantees NPR attacks disability, bolsters ‘new consensus’ against welfare Mortgage relief checks go out, only to bounce
	Segment Start: 02 h 14 min 49 sec	Segment End: 02 h 39 min 33 sec
7. Under the Radar
	Former AFRICOM chief at Senate hearing: Using word ‘drone’ fuels Al Qaeda propaganda OVL, OIL may buy India energy ticket to Myanmar Malaria remains endemic in Democratic Republic of Congo Ecuador leader on drug war: We provide the dead, the U.S. the noses Family farmer and allies converge on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to mark La Via Campesina’s International Day of Peasant Struggle UnFreedom Day in Cape Town
	Segment Start: 02 h 41 min 55 sec	Segment End: 02 h 57 min 26 sec