Democracy Now! Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Today's Headlines

• Palestinians Flood Egypt for Supplies After Militants Destroy Border Wall
• Congo Conflict Killing 45,000 Each Month
• Padilla Given 17-Year Prison Sentence
• Study Counts Admin’s False Statements Preceding Iraq War
• Bush, Dems Meet for Economic Stimulus Talks
• Thompson Drops Out of GOP Race
• Study: Rich Nations Causing More than $1.8 Trillion in Environmental Damage in Third World
• Poll: Americans Oppose Bush Admin on Surveillance Bill
• Blackwater Protesters Challenge Conviction for North Carolina Demonstration

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  Economics Journalist Robert Kuttner on the "Most Serious Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression": "This is the Result of Rightwing Ideology and the Political Power of Wall Street"

  Amid growing fears of a worldwide recession, the Federal Reserve slashed a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Tuesday, the biggest single cut in nearly a quarter of a century. Meanwhile, President Bush and congressional leaders pledged to work together on a stimulus measure that would inject about $150 billion in additional money into the economy. But many economists are skeptical over whether any measures can turn around a severe slump in the housing market and the subprime mortgage crisis, signs of growing unemployment and weakening consumer spending and the added blow of record high oil prices. We speak to veteran economics journalist Robert Kuttner and Robert Weissman, co-director of the corporate accountability group Essential Action and editor of Multinational Monitor magazine. [includes rush transcript]

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  Corporations Reaping Millions As Congo Suffers Deadliest Conflict Since World War II

  A new mortality report from the International Rescue Committee says that as many as 5.4 million people have died from war-related causes in the Congo since 1998. A staggering 45,000 people continue to die each month both from the conflict and the related humanitarian crisis. Amidst the deadliest conflict since World War II, hundreds of international corporations have reaped enormous profits from extracting and processing Congolese minerals. We speak to Maurice Carney of Friends of the Congo and Nita Evele of Congo Global Action.