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USA PATRIOT Act faces Reauthorization
Nancy Talanian, Director of Bill of Rights Defense Committee

A bi-partisan group of three Republicans and three Democrats vowed yesterday to block the renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act. With many provisions of the Act set to expire next month, Republican negotiators had made a compromise on Wednesday that set out to make 14 of 16 provisions permanent. The compromise would also extend controversial provisions on wiretapping and FBI surveillance of personal and business information to seven years. The bi-partisan group, including Democrat Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Republican Larry Craig of Idaho, has challenged the compromise extension of the USA PATRIOT Act at a time when lawmakers are anxious to leave for Thanksgiving break. In a joint statement to the Senate judiciary and Intelligence communities, the group said, “If further changes are not made, we will work to stop this bill from becoming law.” Joining us on the line to speak about this issue is Nancy Talanian Director of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee.

California Senators Info:
Senator (D-California) Dianne Feinstein’s Office
Phone: (202) 224-3841

Senator (D-California) Barbara Boxer’s Office
Phone: (202) 224-3553

For more information, visit www.bordc.org.

Black Commentator
GUEST: Glen Ford, co-publisher of The Black Commentator
The Black Commentator is an online political magazine bringing you commentary, analysis and investigation from a black perspective. Today’s commentary is about racist American response to the riots in France.

The Black Commentator is online at www.blackcommentator.com

Dangerously Toxic Mold Levels in New Orleans
GUESTS: Dr. Gina Solomon, physician and senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council

Hurricane Katrina not only forced thousands out of their homes, it also filled homes with standing water for weeks. Now that the water has drained, it has left mold everywhere along the streets of New Orleans’ residential neighborhoods. The damp surfaces of buildings are streaked with black mold that can be deadly, and other types of mold spores that also pose a health risk. The Natural Resources Defense Council recently tested the air quality indoors and outdoors in New Orleans and found exceedingly high levels of mold spores.

For more information visit www.nrdc.org.

Neighborhood Peace Vigils
Neighborhood activists all over Southern California hold regular peace vigils to end the war in Iraq. Each week we announce just some of the 50 plus vigils that are taking place. Complete listings of all the vigils are available at www.neighborsforpeaceandjustice.org or www.peacevigils.com.

Paradise Now – a conversation with the Director
GUEST: Hany Abu-Assad, Director of Paradise Now

Focusing on the personal battles of two young men who are recruited to be suicide bombers in Palestine, Paradise Now is a film that will challenge most American assumptions. It’s directed by Hany Abu Assad of Rana’s Wedding and is currently playing in theaters. The New York Times calls it a “superior thriller whose shrewdly inserted plot twists and emptional wrinkles are calculated to put your heart in your throat and keep it there.”

For more information, click here.

There will be a discussion with the Director about the film Paradise Now on Sunday November 20th from 2-4 pm at the Levantine Cultural Center, 5920 Blackwelder Street, Culver City, CA 90232.

RSVPs are required – call 310-559-5544 or email info@levantinecenter.org. NOTE from the director: Do not attend unless you have watched the film. Visit the Levantine Center’s website.

Sonali’s Subversive Thought for the Day:

Edward Said once said, “The Palestinian people deserve better. What the Palestinians need are leaders who are really with and of their people, who are actually doing the resisting on the ground. . . We need a united leadership capable of thinking, planning and taking decisions, rather than groveling before the Pope or George Bush while the Israelis kill his people with impunity . . . The struggle for liberation from Israeli occupation is where every Palestinian worth anything now stands.”