Democracy Now! Independent News (09/15/05) avi

Headlines for September 15 - 170 Die in Iraq Over Two Days of Violence - Zarqawi: New Attacks Revenge for U.S. Assault on Tal Afar - State of Texas Executes Frances Newton - GOP Blocks Investigations Over Katrina & Downing St. Memo - Report: Chertoff Failed In Overseeing Hurricane Response - Israeli Court Orders Part of West Bank Wall Torn Down - 21 Guantanamo Hunger-Striking Detainees Hospitalized - Haiti's Electoral Council Blocks Jean-Juste Presidential Run -- Senate Dems Frustrated by Roberts' Refusal to Answer Questions on Wide Range of Topics -- US Chief Justice nominee John Roberts was questioned for a second day at his Senate confirmation hearing for his views on a wide range of topics but repeatedly declined to answer questions by members of the Senate Judiciary committee, saying they could come before the Supreme Court. Roberts is widely expected to win approval from the Republican-controlled committee next Thursday. Republican senators ended their questions late yesterday but agreed to let Democrats have another round today, and then conclude the day with testimony from outside witnesses. The full Senate will vote by the end of the month. If confirmed, Roberts will be the youngest chief justice in over 200 years. We play excerpts of the hearing and speak with two legal experts, Ted Shaw of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Peter Irons author of "A People's History of the Supreme Court." {Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program airing on over 350 stations in North America. Pioneering the largest public media collaboration in the U.S., Democracy Now! is broadcast on Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public access, PBS, satellite television; as a "podcast," and on the internet. The program is hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez and produced out of the Downtown Community Television Center, a community media center in New York Citys Chinatown. Democracy Now! is funded entirely through contributions from listeners, viewers, and foundations. We do not accept advertisers, donations from corporations, or donations from governments. This allows us to maintain our independence.} http://www.democracynow.org