Friday, February 25, 2005

Democracy Now

Democracy Now! has important coverage (as usual) on Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, Tasers and Brian Avery. Also note the headlines.
Headlines for February 25, 2005
- Bush Wraps Up European Trip
- Pope Undergoes Emergency Surgery, Cannot Speak
- FDA Advisors That Supported Return of Vioxx Worked for Company
- Another Brazilian Environmentalist Shot Dead
- "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Costs Taxpayers $200 Million
- Rep. Hinchey Says Rove Behind CBS Documents
Justice Dept. Accuses U.S. Citizen Jailed in Saudi Arabia for 20 Months Without Charge of Plotting to Kill Bush
We take a look at the case of Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, the U.S. citizen who spent nearly two years in a Saudi prison where he says he was tortured before being returned to the United States. He now stands accused of plotting to kill the president. We speak with one of his lawyers and a family friend. [includes rush transcript]
Shocking Weapons: Taser Launches Campaign to Market New Model to U.S. Public
Taser International - the maker of Taser electro-shock weapons - announced this month that they will begin a major campaign to market a new model of the weapon to consumers. We speak with the head of Amnesty International, which issued a new report on Taser, as well as a lawyer representing the family of a man killed by police with a Taser gun in January 2005. [includes rush transcript]
U.S. Peace Activist Brian Avery Returns to Israel Two Years After Being Shot in the Face
We go to Israel to speak with U.S. peace activist Brian Avery. In April 2003, he was shot in the face - he says - by Israeli forces. His face was shattered, with his tongue split in two, forcing him to undergo a series of facial reconstruction surgeries. [includes rush transcript]