Democracy Now! Thursday, February 5, 2009

Today's Headlines

• US-Led Attacks Account for 1/3 of Afghan Deaths
• Minister: Iraq War Increased Foreign Fighters in Afghanistan
• Report: Israel Fires on, Storms Lebanese Aid Ship
• Congressional Measure Targets UN Relief Agency for Gaza
• Clashes Force Closure of Remaining Sri Lankan Hospital in War Zone
• Obama Announces Exec Pay Cap for Bailout Firms
• Study: Bailout Firms Spent $114M on Lobbying in 2008
• Auto Suppliers Request $20B Bailout
• UK Court: US Threats Thwart Disclosure of Torture Evidence
• Interior Dept. Cancels Utah Wilderness Selloff
• US War Resister Arrested Following Canada Deportation
• Congress Delays Digital TV Switch

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  Despite Celebrated Orders Closing Gitmo and Banning Torture, Has Obama Kept Rendition Intact?

  When President Obama signed executive orders to end torture and shut down Guantanamo, did he leave open the controversial rendition policy of kidnapping foreigners abroad? We host a debate between human rights attorneys Michael Ratner and Scott Horton. [includes rush transcript]

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  Utah Student Who Thwarted Auction of Utah Wilderness Hails Cancellation of Bush Admin Selloff

  Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has canceled a controversial last-minute Bush administration attempt to auction off nearly 150,000 acres of wilderness in southern Utah. We speak to university student Tim DeChristopher, who was able to delay the sale by posing as a bidder and buying up thousands of acres.

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  Should Economic Stimulus Bill Include Billions for Nuclear Power?

  A coalition of environmental groups are calling on senators to remove a controversial provision from the $900 billion stimulus bill that could lead to the construction of a new generation of nuclear power plants. We host a debate between independent journalist and longtime anti-nuclear activist Harvey Wasserman and Patrick Moore, a Greenpeace co-founder and member of the pro-nuclear Clean and Safe Energy Coalition.