Armenian Genocide Resolution Gains Momentum; Democrats to Support Wiretapping; Robert Reich
Armenian Genocide Resolution Gains Momentum
Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will consider a resolution that would declare the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in World War I-era Turkey genocide. The Bush administration opposes the resolution, arguing that it would harm US-Turkey relations. The bill, however, is expected to go on to a full vote in mid-November, and will likely pass. Larry speaks with Jack Shaw, Capitol Hill reporter for Market News International, to get the latest.
Democrats to Support Wiretapping
A few months ago Democratic leaders were very critical of Bush administration and Justice Department decisions to authorize NSA wiretaps of US citizens without a warrant. But now Dems seem willing to compromise and support broad authorization for the NSA to continue its eavesdropping. Dubbed the "Protect America Act," the ACLU and others are criticizing the Democrats for shifting gears, while those in the Party are calling it an acceptable compromise. Larry talks about the situation with Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra, LA Weekly columnist Marc Cooper and political consultant Chris Lehane.
Robert Reich
In his new book, Supercapitalism, Robert Reich argues that while capitalism in the U.S. has grown increasingly efficient, democracy has been suffering. On one hand, the American consumer is more empowered than ever before, especially with the wide range of commodities easily available over the internet. On the other hand, social issues such as the growing gap between the rich and the poor, lack of funding for public schools, and the declining power of labor unions, suggest that our democracy is not functioning as well as it should be. Larry talks to Reich about how the increasing efficiency of our economy could be inextricably linked with the erosion of our democratic principles.