Democracy Now - 20 aug 2010

An alternative daily newschannel. One hour with news as you do not see it elsewhere.


http://www.democracynow.org

Headlines for Aug 20, 2010

- UNICEF: Aid Appeal Inadequate to Address Pakistan's Growing Crisis
- Global Donations for Pakistan Lag Compared to Recent Disasters
- Scientists Confirm Gulf Oil Plume, Dispute White House Claims
- BP Delays Well Sealing Until September
- Transocean Accuses BP of Obstructing Probe into Rig Explosion
- Report: BP Settlements May Indemnify Gulf Firms
- Jobless Claims Hit 9-Month High
- Women Activists to Attempt Gaza Sailing
- Reports: Israelis, Palestinians Agree to Hold Talks
- UN: Israel Denies Palestinians Access to 17% of Gaza
- Report: U.S. Claims Israel Won't Attack Iran for At Least 1 Year
- Calderon: U.S. Gun Laws Fueling Mexican Drug War
- Report: Wyclef Jean Denied Bid for Haitian Presidency
- Protesters Call on Trader Joe's to Adopt Humane Conditions for Tomato Pickers
- Report: Donations Surge to Sway Judicial Elections
- Homeless Man Jailed for Stealing Food Freed After 13 Years


Special reports

- Obama Admin Claims End to Combat Operations in Iraq, But Iraqis See Same War Under a Different Name

The Obama administration says the last combat brigades have left Iraq. Is this the end of the Iraq war or just a rebranding of the US occupation? More than 50,000 troops remain in Iraq as well as 4,500 special operations forces and tens of thousands of private contractors. The US embassy in Baghdad is the largest in the world-the size of 80 football fields. We get a perspective on the so-called withdrawal rarely heard in the US media: that of two Iraqis, Raed Jarrar of Peace Action and Yanar Mohammed of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq.


- Iraq War Vet Camilo Mejia: U.S. Withdrawal Plan Marks "Privatization of Military Occupation"

Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia, the first US combat veteran to publicly resist the war, joins us to give his reaction to the so-called U.S. withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq. Mejia served six months in Iraq in 2003 with the Florida National Guard. While on a two-week leave in the United States, he decided never to return. In May 2004, a military jury convicted him of desertion and he was sentenced to one year in prison. He served nine months behind bars prompting Amnesty International to declare him a prisoner of conscience.


- Debate: Is DREAM Act A Solution for Millions of Undocumented Youth, or a Funnel for Military Recruitment?

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors ActΓΓé¼ΓÇ¥DREAMΓΓé¼ΓÇ¥would allow undocumented young people a chance at citizenship provided they attend college for at least two years or enlist in the military. It's been described as a dream come true for undocumented youth wanting a chance to stay in this country without the fear of deportation. But many anti-war activists warn that the bill will simply funnel more young people into the military. We host a debate between Camilo Mejia of Iraq Veterans Against the War and pro-DREAM activist Gaby Pacheco.


http://www.democracynow.org