Democracy Now! Thursday, June 12, 2008

Today's Headlines

• Bush: Criticism of US-Iraqi Compact is “Noise”
• McCain: Length of US Occupation of Iraq “Not Important”
• US-Backed Shiite Militias Begin Patrolling Sadr City
• As Bush Threatens Iran, Thousands Protest in Italy
• Congressional Study Faults Bush Policies for Record Low US Standing
• Pakistan Condemns US Attack
• Canada Apologizes to Natives for Forced Removals, Abuse
• Kucinich Vows to Press Bush Impeachment
• Obama VP Adviser Resigns Following Scrutiny
• Tornado Kills 4 in Iowa
• Salmonella Outbreak Leads to Farm Bill Criticism

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  Iraq Correspondent Patrick Cockburn on the US-Iraqi Clash Over the Status of US Troops

  The Bush administration is leveraging tens of billions of dollars in seized Iraqi assets to force the Iraqi government to accept several demands in a long-term deal on keeping US troops in Iraq. The demands have included maintaining fifty-eight permanent military bases in Iraq, immunity for American troops and contractors, a free hand to conduct military operations without Iraqi approval and control of Iraqi airspace. We speak to journalist Patrick Cockburn of the London Independent, who broke the story last week. [includes rush transcript]

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  "The Dictator Hunter": Victims of US-Allied Chadian Dictator Hissene Habre Lead Quest to Bring Him to Justice

  When the US-backed Chadian dictator Hissène Habré fell from power in 1990, one of his victims, Souleymane Guengueng, vowed to bring him to justice. We speak to Guengueng and Human Rights Watch attorney Reed Brody, who joined the quest for justice against Habré. The story is told in the new documentary The Dictator Hunter. [includes rush transcript]

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  Myrlie Evers-Williams on the 45th Anniversary of the Murder of Her Husband, Civil Rights Leader Medgar Evers

  Forty-five years ago today, civil rights leader Medgar Evers was assassinated outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi.
  Evers fought segregation of schools and public places, struggled to increase black voter registration, led business boycotts, and brought attention to the murders and lynchings, like the slaying of black teenager Emmett Till. We speak to Medgar Evers’ widow, the civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams. [includes rush transcript]