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Between the Lines
"Between the Lines" is a national, half-hour program that provides a platform for individuals and spokespersons from progressive organizations generally ignored or marginalized by the mainstream media.
This Week on Between The Lines
Posted Nov. 11, 2015 for week ending Nov. 20, 2015
Listen to the entire program using these links, or to individual interviews via the links appearing prior to each segment description below.
MP3 64 kb/s HQ broadcast quality podcast Podcast
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Full Text of Trans-Pacific Partnership Reveals Free Trade Agreement That Promotes Corporate Rights Over Citizens’ Rights
MP3 Interview with Jessa Boehner, international program associate with Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, conducted by Scott Harris
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On Nov. 5, the Obama administration released the full text of the proposed 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement. The controversial pact, which will cover trade rules integrating 40 percent of the world’s economy, must now be voted on by the U.S. Congress. With the release of the full text of the agreement, Congress now has 90 days to review the TPP before President Obama can ask for an up-or-down vote under the terms of Fast Track legislation approved in June. Story continues
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The Danger of False Optimism in the Difficult Struggle Ahead Combatting Climate Change
MP3 Interview with Tim DeChristopher, climate activist, conducted by Melinda Tuhus
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Climate activist Tim DeChristopher gained notoriety when he served almost two years in prison for a non-violent act of civil disobedience in 2008 by making false bids for gas and oil development leases. After his release from a federal prison, he enrolled at Harvard Divinity School, with the goal of becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister. He has now taken a year’s leave of absence to co-found the Climate Disobedience Center, which aims to provide support to activists who risk serious consequences for engaging in direct action to combat the causes of climate change. DeChristopher was a keynote speaker at the third annual Climate Stewardship Summit held Nov. 5 in West Hartford, Connecticut, organized by the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, the Connecticut affiliate of the faith-based national organization, Interfaith Power and Light. Story continues
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Activist Group Exposes and Challenges Koch Brothers Funding of Colleges and Universities Nationwide
MP3 Interview with Kalin Jordan, co-founder of UnKochMyCampus.org, conducted by Scott Harris
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One of the most active family-owned corporations opposing action on climate change in the U.S. are Kansas billionaires Charles and David Koch, owners of Koch Industries. The Kochs have given tens of millions of dollars to political candidates and groups that deny climate science, undermine policy solutions to the problem, and attack subsidies for clean energy competition while preserving billions of dollars in handouts to fossil fuel companies. The Koch brothers also generally promote a radical brand of free market capitalism that advocates large tax cuts for the wealthy, while cutting social safety net programs for poor and working families. Story continues
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This week’s summary of under-reported news
MP3 MP3
Compiled by Bob Nixon
In a blow against the war on drugs, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled it is legal for individuals to grow or consume marijuana for personal use. While the case did not overturn Mexico’s harsh drug laws, the ruling opened a path to eventual legalization of pot, in the nation which is the main exporter of marijuana to the U.S.(“Mexico ruling on personal marijuana use for 4 hailed by legalization backers,” Los Angeles Times, Nov. 4, 2015; “Court Ruling Could Pave Way For Marijuana Legalization In Mexico,” The World Post, Nov. 4, 2015)
Voters in Maine reaffirmed their support for public financing of state elections, overcoming the opposition of Tea Party Governor Paul LePage and the Maine Chamber of Commerce. The Maine Clean Elections initiative will boost the amount of taxpayer funds given to qualified candidates in state elections — and boost transparency of campaign spending. Maine’s Clean Election system was first approved by voters in 1996 and proved popular with many candidates. Yet the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision and another in an Arizona case left Clean Election Act candidates vulnerable to big spending by privately funded opponents.(“Maine Votes to Strengthen Clean Elections Laws,” MPBN News, Nov. 4, 2015; “Advocates, businesses at odds over Maine clean elections law,” Stamford Advocate, Nov. 1, 2015; “Maine, Seattle Pave Next Path For Campaign Finance Reform,” Huffington Post, Nov. 4, 2015)
On the campaign trail Hillary Clinton is promoting reform of gun laws as a core election issue for Democrats. This is in contrast to 2008, reports the Guardian, when Clinton was largely silent on the issue of gun violence. The former Secretary of State ramped up her rhetoric on gun violence after the June massacre of nine parishioners at an African-American church by a white separatist in Charleston, South Carolina. (“Hillary Clinton pledges to make gun control a ‘voting issue’ for Democrats,” The Guardian, Nov. 4, 2015; “Black Lives Matter protest interrupts Clinton speech on criminal justice,” The Guardian, Oct 30, 2015)
This week’s summary of under-reported news
Compiled by Bob Nixon
In a blow against the war on drugs, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled it is legal for individuals to grow or consume marijuana for personal use. While the case did not overturn Mexico’s harsh drug laws, the ruling opened a path to eventual legalization of pot, in the nation which is the main exporter of marijuana to the U.S.(“Mexico ruling on personal marijuana use for 4 hailed by legalization backers,” Los Angeles Times, Nov. 4, 2015; “Court Ruling Could Pave Way For Marijuana Legalization In Mexico,” The World Post, Nov. 4, 2015)
Voters in Maine reaffirmed their support for public financing of state elections, overcoming the opposition of Tea Party Governor Paul LePage and the Maine Chamber of Commerce. The Maine Clean Elections initiative will boost the amount of taxpayer funds given to qualified candidates in state elections — and boost transparency of campaign spending. Maine’s Clean Election system was first approved by voters in 1996 and proved popular with many candidates. Yet the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision and another in an Arizona case left Clean Election Act candidates vulnerable to big spending by privately funded opponents.(“Maine Votes to Strengthen Clean Elections Laws,” MPBN News, Nov. 4, 2015; “Advocates, businesses at odds over Maine clean elections law,” Stamford Advocate, Nov. 1, 2015; “Maine, Seattle Pave Next Path For Campaign Finance Reform,” Huffington Post, Nov. 4, 2015)
On the campaign trail Hillary Clinton is promoting reform of gun laws as a core election issue for Democrats. This is in contrast to 2008, reports the Guardian, when Clinton was largely silent on the issue of gun violence. The former Secretary of State ramped up her rhetoric on gun violence after the June massacre of nine parishioners at an African-American church by a white separatist in Charleston, South Carolina. (“Hillary Clinton pledges to make gun control a ‘voting issue’ for Democrats,” The Guardian, Nov. 4, 2015; “Black Lives Matter protest interrupts Clinton speech on criminal justice,” The Guardian, Oct 30, 2015)
