Democracy Now! Friday, January 18, 2008

Today's Headlines

• Israel Completely Seals Gaza Border, Blocking Humanitarian Aid
• U.S. Attack Kills 2 Iraqi Women
• U.S. Commander in Iraq Sees “Five to Ten Year” Stay
• Gates Backtracks on NATO Comments
• Canada Puts U.S. on Torture Watch List
• Pentagon Contract Awarded to Firm Employing Ex-Rumsfeld Aide
• Judge OKs Nevada Hotel Caucus Sites
• Leahy Endorses Obama in Democratic Race
• Edwards Criticizes Obama for Reagan Admiration
• “Tonight Show” Audience Members Protest Kucinich Exclusion
• Clinton Holds Nine-Point Nevada Lead
• Huckabee Silent on Confederate Flag Display
• Romney Questioned Over Lobbyist Claim
• Conyers Introduces Anti-Vote Caging Bill
• Admin Defends Alaska Oil Exploration at Polar Bear Hearing

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  Kenyan Opposition to End Demonstrations, Launch Economic Boycott

  Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga calls for a general strike and boycott of some of Kenya’s largest companies to continue his protest against last month’s presidential election. More than 600 people have been killed so far, hundreds of thousands displaced. We go to Nairobi to speak with Maina Kiai, the Chair of the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission, and we speak with Mukoma wa Ngugi, a Kenyan writer and activist in the U.S. [includes rush transcript]

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  "Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You with the Bill)"

  Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston joins us to talk about his new book, “Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You with the Bill).” Johnston reveals how government subsidies and new regulations have quietly funneled money from the poor and the middle class to the rich and politically connected. [includes rush transcript–partial]