04 Jan 2010: Today's Democracy Now!

Patrick Cockburn: Threats to Yemen Prove America Hasn't Learned the Lesson of History
The United States and Britain have closed their embassies in the Yemeni capital city of Sana’a, citing security threats from an al-Qaeda group. On Saturday, President Obama connected the foiled Christmas Day attack on the Detroit-bound flight to al-Qaeda in Yemen. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described Yemen as a “regional and global threat.” We speak with Patrick Cockburn, Middle East correspondent for the London Independent, and Michael Horton, a freelance journalist based in Yemen.

Judge Dismisses All Charges Against Blackwater Guards in Nisoor Square Massacre
A federal judge in Washington, DC has thrown out all charges against the five Blackwater operatives involved in the 2007 Nisoor Square massacre that killed seventeen Iraqi civilians. Judge Ricardo Urbina handed down his ruling late in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve. Urbina accused the Justice Department of building its case on sworn statements that the guards had given under a promise of immunity. We speak with attorney Scott Horton.

Move Your Money: Project Urges People to Transfer Money Out of Nation's Largest Banks Into Local Community Banks
Economist Robert Johnson, columnist Arianna Huffington and filmmaker Eugene Jarecki, among others, have come up with a new proposal that would allow ordinary people in this country to channel their anger over the Wall Street bailout while also helping invigorate community banking. We speak with Rob Johnson about Move Your Money.

Greek PM George Papandreou on Global Warming, Socialism and Democracy
We interview Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou about climate change and greenhouse gas emission, socialism, democracy and much more. As the head of Greece’s Socialist Party, Papandreou became prime minister in October after the Socialists trounced the center-right government in national elections, winning 44 percent of the vote, their largest victory ever. Papandreou is also the president of Socialist International, a coalition of national Socialist parties.

Headlines

14 Nations to Face Stricter Airport Screening
Federal Judge Tosses Charges Against Blackwater Operatives
Two Blackwater Operatives & Jordanian Spy Among Dead at CIA Base
US Closes Embassy in Yemen Citing Threat
Afghan Parliament Rejects Most of Karzai’s Cabinet Picks
Afghan Students Protest Killing of Civilians by US Forces
101 Died in Pakistani Bombing at Volleyball Match
Report: The 00s Was a Lost Decade for American Workers
Food Stamps Now Only Source of Income for 6 Million Americans
25-Year Sentence for Ex-Peruvian President Fujimori Upheld
US Lifts 22-Year Ban on Visitors with HIV or AIDS
Gaza Freedom Marchers Call for Divestment Against Israel