Democracy Now! Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Today's Headlines

• US to Open Preliminary Talks with Syria
• Clinton Silent on Israeli Settlements, Gaza Blockade
• Obama Downplays Report of Missile Program Offer
• ICC to Issue Bashir Arrest Warrant
• Countrywide Execs Form New Firm to Profit Off Mortgages, Bank Failures
• Merrill Lynch Paid $10M Bonuses to Top Execs
• Senate to Consider Bush Admin Abuses Probe
• Obama Restores Endangered Species Act Protections
• Obama Backs Employee Free Choice Act
• Gay, Lesbian Couples Sue for Marriage Benefits
• Obama Picks Net Neutrality Backer for FCC Helm

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  Despite Celebrated Speech, Has Obama Really Ordered an End to US Occupation of Iraq?

  President Obama’s plan to withdraw US combat troops from Iraq has both been hailed by some as a signal of the coming end of the war while criticized by others as an extension of the occupation. We host a debate between Lawrence Korb, the former assistant secretary of defense under President Reagan, and Jeremy Scahill, award-winning author and investigative journalist. [includes rush transcript]

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  Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Resigns in Latest Attempt to Rebrand Tarnished Mercenary Firm

  Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, has announced his resignation as the company’s CEO. The move comes weeks after the company changed its name to Xe in an attempt to rebrand the firm. Jeremy Scahill, author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army, assesses the latest developments. [includes rush transcript]

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  "Sold Out": New Report Follows Lobbying Money Trail Behind Deregulation that Helped Cause Financial Crisis

  In a new report, Robert Weissman of Multinational Monitor points to twelve deregulatory steps that led to the financial meltdown. It also does an analysis of the amount of money Wall Street poured into Washington in campaign contributions and lobbying over the last ten years. Their answer? A staggering $5.1 billion over the past decade. [includes rush transcript]