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This week on Uprising:

* Murdoch Attempt Contrition, Denies Blame, as UK Phone Hacking Scandal Continues to Explode
* Black Agenda Report on the U.S. and Ethiopia’s Role in Somalia
* Obama Links Debt Ceiling to Deficit Plan As Cover for Spending Cuts
* Exposé: How Corporations and the Wealthy Write and Pass Bills at the State Level

* * *

Murdoch Attempt Contrition, Denies Blame, as UK Phone Hacking Scandal Continues to Explode

Rupert Murdoch appeared this past Tuesday with his son James before the British House of Commons Media Select Committee, to be questioned on allegations springing from the phone hacking scandal. Former Chief Executive of Murdoch’s News International, Rebekah Brooks, was also questioned. All three appeared contrite, with Rupert Murdoch interrupting his son in the first minutes of their testimony to interject, “This is the most humble day of my life.” Murdoch was appropriately fed some “humble pie” during a dramatic moment in the hearing, when British activist Johnnie Marbles attempted to smear him in the face with shaving foam on a plate. Throughout the hours-long hearing James Murdoch reiterated that he and his family are wholly supportive of all investigations and will provide restitution to phone-hacking victims. The Ministers of Parliament repeatedly asked whether Murdoch employees had lied to a previous committee about the extent of phone hacking. All three executives denied any deception, stating they previously believed misconduct had been isolated and resolved. The MPs were especially interested in the Murdochs’ and Brooks’ friendly relationships with British Prime Ministers. Each confirmed regular visits to Downing Street. Throughout the hearing Murdoch admitted ignorance of the operations and key players at his UK newspapers. While expressing shock and anger at what transpired at his newspapers, the media mogul refused to take the blame. Murdoch also said he was unaware of any investigation in the U.S. by the FBI into hacking of 9/11 victims’ phones, but said he would cooperate if necessary. The hearings followed Monday’s shocking news that a former News of the World reporter and the whistleblower central to the unfolding scandal was found dead at his home. The cause of death so far is “unexplained,” and British authorities say there is no evidence of foul play. Prime Minister David Cameron appeared on Wednesday before a panel over his relationship to Murdoch.

GUEST: James Hallwood, Researcher with the Fabian Society, Britain’s Leading Left-of-Center think tank, speaking to us from London

Find out more about the Fabian Society at www.fabians.org.uk.

Black Agenda Report on the U.S. and Ethiopia’s Role in Somalia

Glen Ford is a writer and radio commentator and the Executive Editor of The Black Agenda Report. This week’s commentary is on the U.S. and Ethiopia Role in Somalia.

Visit www.blackagendareport.com for more information.

Obama Links Debt Ceiling to Deficit Plan As Cover for Spending Cuts

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are reportedly close to a major deal on the debt ceiling negotiations. The New York Times reported on Thursday, the day this program is being recorded, that while the exact nature of the deal is unclear, it will likely include cuts to important social services like Medicare. However, White House Spokesperson Jay Carney has denied the New York Times report. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has entered the fray – her sway among House Democrats will be likely needed to pass any deal. A CBS news poll conducted over the weekend found that Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of the way Congress is handling debt ceiling negotiations. Republicans earned a 71% disapproval rating, and Democrats fared only slightly better, with 58% of respondents laying blame on that party. Opinion on the President was nearly split, with 43% approving of his role in the talks, and 48% disapproving. Earlier in the week, the House and Senate introduced competing plans in their respective chambers. House Republicans have pushed for the creation of a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. Senate Democrats and Republicans reportedly came together to propose an alternative plan that would allow a moderate increase in the debt ceiling, accompanied by some spending cuts. However, what is not clear is the President’s own position on the issue of cuts, particularly to medicare and social security.

GUEST: Jane Hamsher, is the founder of firedoglake.com. Her work has also appeared on The Daily Beat, Common Dreams, AlterNet, The Nation and The American Prospect.

Find out more at www.firedoglake.com

Read Jane Hamsher’s latest article: https://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/07/08-3

Read Hamsher’s earlier article about Obama’s agenda on benefits cuts here: http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/05/10/
obama-packs-debt-committee-with-supportes-of-social-security-benefit-cuts-and-privatization/

Exposé: How Corporations and the Wealthy Write and Pass Bills at the State Level

The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) recently published an expose of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC is an organization that brings together corporations and conservative state lawmakers with the stated purpose “to conduct a policy making program.” In order to move their national agenda forward, ALEC pushes legislation state by state. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is an alumnus of ALEC, where he participated in developing model bills as a state legislator. Many of Walker’s political lieutenants are actively involved with ALEC, and have pushed a slew of bills through the Wisconsin legislature. CMD has done a detailed analysis of ALEC model bills in Wisconsin. The organization also released to the public, over 800 of ALEC’s model bills which span all aspects of government. Some of ALEC’s handywork can be seen in the recent spate of nearly identical bills introduced in several states that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating carbon. ALEC is also one of the leading agencies in the privatization of education through their support of charter school legislation. The American Legislative Exchange Council which is mostly funded by corporations, gives those same corporations access to state legislators in order to craft legislation. The relationship that ALEC fosters between state legislators and corporations is now the subject of public scrutiny.

GUEST: Mary Bottari, Director of the Center for Media and Democracy’s Real Economy Project and the editor of BanksterUSA.org

Visit www.alecexposed.org.

Sonali’s Subversive Thought for the Day

“It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.” — Mark Twain