5/20/2007 No Talking Heads Topics (work in progress . . .)
(guests will be TJ Johnson, Janet Blanding, Geov Parrish)

Local

United Churches to Take Camp Quixote, Olympian
- City of Olympia wants their stay to be shorter
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Funding for Heritage Center project approved, Olympian
- facility to replace GA building; not to open until 2011 or 2012.
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New rail cargo facility proposed for site near Millersylvania State Park, Olympian
- opposition to site attends early planning meeting in Tenino on Monday night, 5/14/2007.
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Court issues partial stay in Watada's second trial, Seatte Times
- the Army Court of Criminal Appeals in Arlington, Va., granted a partial stay of the defense motion. It has given Fort Lewis prosecutors 10 days to respond to the defense arguments, and also extended to the defense the option of filing a second round of briefs.
- the appeals court issued its decision after defense attorneys Kenneth Kagan and James Lobsenz of Seattle moved to dismiss all charges against Watada based on a double jeopardy argument.
- Coverage by University of Pittsburgh Law School Website here.

National

Mumia Abu-Jamal Hearing in Phildelphia (Philly IMC roundup)
- 3rd Circuit Court expected to rule in as little as a few month or as long as a 6 months to a year.
- see previous blog post with a media review on hearing.
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McNulty, Deputy AG, Resigns; Cites Personal Reasons Unrelated to US Attorney Firings
- Senators Call for No-Confidence Vote on Alberto Gonzalez
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Cheney Claims Absolute Immunity (seriously)
- Cheney also claims to be legally akin to the President; sounds like he's threatening people to impeach him - "C'mon, I dare ya!"
- Story currently #9 on Technorati "Popular News" stories - 5/18/2007 @ 10:21pm
- Update: Story currently #6 on Technorati "Popular News" stories - 5/19/2007 @ 9:05am
- Update 2: Story currently #5 on Technorati "Popular News" stories - 5/19/2007 @ 12:37pm
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Former Marine Corp Commander and former Commander In-Chief of U.S. Central Command Explain Why Torture is Bad
- top rated story on Technorati "Popular News" stories - 5/18/2007 @ 10:42pm

International

World Bank President Wolfowitz, Iraq War Architect, Finally Resigns
- in a carefully worded statement, World Bank Board accepts Wolfowitz claim that he made mistakes in good faith and praises his performance.
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New Michael Moore film focuses on U.S. healthcare system - "Sicko"
- nice takeaway quote from review in Salon -

". . . But Moore's overall point is, I think, inarguable: Flawed as they may be, those (Canadian, French and British healthcare) systems are a hell of a lot more humane and civilized than anything we've got. (Life expectancy is significantly higher, and infant mortality lower, in all of those countries than the United States. Whatever outdated stereotypes you may hold, these days poor people in Britain are statistically healthier than rich people in America.)"

Review of media from May 17th, 2007 Mumia Abu-Jamal Hearing

Spectators Pack Courtroom as 3rd Circuit Hears Appeal in Mumia Abu-Jamal Case
from Law.com (subscription)
I can see the entire text of this today but it may disappear. This is a great review of what actually happened in court on the 17th and the issues the judges are dealing with.

Dave Lindorff and Linn Washington: Mumia Case Reaches Climax
from Buzzflash.com
This is a really informative article of what the outcome could be in Mumia Abu-Jamal's latest court hearing. The case, once again, has become absolutely gripping. The article also talks about previous rulings of the judges who make up the Third Circuit.

RADIO INTERVIEWS with observers of Mumia's hearing today
from Philadelphia Independent Media Center
Hans Bennett interviews Ward Churchill, German Parliamant Member Volker Ratzmann, Ramona Africa, and Mark Taylor with Educators for Mumia

Blog Post about May 17th Trip to Philadelphia Covering Mumia Trial (pics of rally, etc)
Useful to see the pictures of the days events