WERU Special 5/01/08

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Studio Engineer: Joel Mann

Topic: Six Maine peace activists who were charged with Criminal Trespass for refusing to leave the offices of Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) in March 2007 have been found NOT GUILTY in a jury trial that ended yesterday. They were at the Senator’s office after several unsuccessful requests that she meet with her constituents regarding their concerns about the war/occupation in Iraq.

The six found not guilty : Jim Freeman, Doug Rawlings, Robert Shetterly, Henry Braun, Jon Kreps and Dud Hendrick. Some represented themselves while others were represented by attorneys Lynne Williams and Phil Worden. Arrested with them in 2007 were Pat Wheeler, Nancy Hill, Judy Robbins, Peter Robbins, Diane FitzGerald and Maureen Block, who settled their cases previously.

For today’s special we have three of the defendants here in the studio: Jon Kreps, Dud Hendrick and Jim Freeman , attorney Lynne Williams joining us by phone, and we open the phone lines to the community for their questions and comments.

FMI: Eric T. Olson’s blog includes articles, photos and video: maineowl.net/blog/; shows.weru.org/archives/radioactive/ra-20070308

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Talk of the Towns 4/25/08

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Topic: Eating (and Growing) Local in Maine

What are the benefits of eating locally grown produce and other food products?  How did the “Eat Local” challenge in Waldo County work, and why was it organized?  What needs to happen for producers and consumers to increase the amount of food and agricultural products sold in the local economy?

Guests: Fran Clemetson and sons Clayton, Timmy and Willy, Erica Buswell, Chrissy Fowler, Mark Fulford

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RadioActive 4/24/08

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Topic: Immigration and it’s Roots in  Free Trade Policy and Inequality in El Salvador
The Peace Accords did not result in the slated economic forum to address inequalities in the country. Instead the government adopted structural adjustment measures, leading to privatization measure and increasing free trade.
The rate of poverty is great in El Salvador.   Free trade policy has increased the crush on small farmers and others. It is difficult for people to migrate to the US, but their impetus is poverty. Ironically, this is perpetuated by neo liberal policies directed and implemented by the United States.

Guests: Lorena Martinez, CRIPDES, the Association for the Development of El Salvador
Pedro Juan Hernandez,  Popular Resistance Movement  of October 12th, (MPR-12)
Katie Sharar, Annunciation  House, El Paso, TX; Casa Marianella, Austin, TX
Lilian- Cabanas, El Salvador

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Notes from the Electronic Cottage 4/24/08

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

Perhaps we need a new bumper sticker these days that asks “What would the Founders say?” Today’s technology places immense power in the hands of government. Even though they could not specifically foresee today’s technologies – like involuntary DNA collection – the Founders and drafters of our Constitution did their best to establish principles upon which a free society should be based. Some of those principles are under severe strain in today’s political/technologial environment, especially the Fourth Amendment.

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WERU Special 4/23/08: Former Black Panthers Speaking in Maine

Producer/Host: Adam Lacher with production assistance from Jeffrey McCarter

Topic: Former Black Panthers Discuss U.S. Political Prisoners and Social and Ecological Justice

What are the ten points of the Black Panther platform? How is Common Ground Relief related to the Meg Perry Center in Portland, Maine? Who are the Angola 3?

Speakers: Robert King, to date the only free member of the imprisoned Panthers known as the “Angola 3”. Was exonerated after 29 years in solitary confinement; Malik Rahim, Louisiana Black Panther Party co-founder and co-founder of Common Ground relief just one week after Katrina hit.

**Also available is the speech in it’s entirety,divided into 3 sections that are each approximately one hour in length. Click on links below**

FMI: www.angola3.org , www.commongroundrelief.org

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