Capitol Hill Sees Busy Week July 31, 2005 • Host Liane Hansen speaks with NPR's political editor Ron Elving about a very busy week on Capitol Hill. Issues include the energy and transportation bills, the nominations of John Roberts to the Supreme Court and John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's declaration supporting stem-cell research and the labor movement's troubles.
Government's New Role Could Be Marriage Broker July 30, 2005 • Can the government promote marriage? Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KA) has proposed funding for a program that encourages healthy marriages for low-income residents of Washington, D.C.
World U.S. Air Force Must Give Up Uzbek Base July 30, 2005 • The central Asian nation of Uzbekistan says the United States will no longer be able to use an air base that is a key hub for operations in Afghanistan. American forces have six months to vacate the base. Relief operations are likely to be hurt, too.
Business Big Unions Split from the AFL-CIO July 30, 2005 • In the biggest split in the American labor movement in more than 70 years, two unions leave the AFL-CIO. The Service Employees International Union and the Teamsters say that by quitting the federation, they hope to organize more workers and revitalize the struggling labor movement.
Big Unions Split from the AFL-CIO Chicago Laborites Appraise AFL-CIO Schism July 30, 2005 • Chicago has deep historic ties to the labor movement. But do blue collar workers there still feel a kinship with the union cause, and are they following the rift that has split apart the AFL-CIO?
World On-Again, Off-Again N. Korea Nuclear Talks Resume July 30, 2005 • After 13 months of silence, U.S. and North Korean officials met this week as part of revived six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear plans. Jack Pritchard, former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, offers perspective on the talks.
Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza In Depth: Q & A on Israel's Pullout from Gaza July 29, 2005 • Israel's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip beginning Aug. 17 has been controversial within Israel and raises huge challenges for Palestinian leaders. Mideast Correspondent Peter Kenyon answers questions about the pullout.
Day to Day Frist Clashes with Bush on Stem Cell Research July 29, 2005 • Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced Friday he will support legislation expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The new position by the senator, who is also a lauded medical doctor, contradicts that of President Bush and religious and social conservatives.
All Things Considered Congress Poised for Month-Long Break July 29, 2005 • Congress will put the final touches on stacks of legislation that have been in the works for months as it heads into its August recess. From energy to gun control, bills are being pushed through the last stages, and sent to President Bush.
News & Notes Attorney-Activist Sues N.Y. for Alleged Exam Bias July 29, 2005 • Ed Gordon speaks with the migrant worker turned lawyer Willie Gary, now the lead attorney in a lawsuit against the state of New York over alleged discrimination in civil service exams. Marc Carey, spokesman for the New York's civil service office, denies the test is biased. Gary has built a practice on huge jury verdicts or settlements against companies including Walt Disney and Coca-Cola, and he continues his pro bono work on slave reparations.
Religion Rogue Catholic Bishops Ordain Women in Canada July 29, 2005 • Earlier this week, nine Roman Catholic women were ordained to serve as priests and deacons in the church -- an act the Vatican denounced as illegal. Two women from Germany and Austria, unofficially declared bishops, performed the rites on a boat in the river between Ontario, Canada, and northern New York state. The women say they were undeterred by the threat of excommunication. Greg Warner of North Country Public Radio reports.
Bob Graham: Energy Bill a Missed Opportunity July 29, 2005 • The Senate is expected to vote on the energy bill Friday. Commentator Bob Graham, a former Democratic senator, says the bill makes a critical mistake -- it would limit U.S. dependence on foreign oil by depleting domestic oil reserves. He challenges Americans to re-examine their lives and expand on resources that conserve oil use, like public transport.
Media Cable Channel Looks to 'Democratize' TV July 29, 2005 • On Monday a new television network premieres. Former Vice President Al Gore is one of the founders. It's not on the air yet, but already it's created controversy.
Opinion Analysis Roundtable: U.K. Race Profiling, U.S. Terrorism Fatwa July 29, 2005 • Friday's topics include racial profiling in Britain and an American Muslims group's new stance against terrorism. Guests: George Curry, editor-in-chief of The National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service; Laura Washington, Chicago Sun-Times columnist; and Randall Robinson, author of The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks.
Law Army Sergeant Convicted for Missing Flight to Iraq July 29, 2005 • A soldier who refused to deploy to Iraq last January is sentenced to 15 months in prison. Army Sgt. Kevin Benderman, who said he was a conscientious objector, claimed that one of his commanders gave him permission to miss the flight to Iraq. Benderman was acquitted of the more serious charge of desertion.
