Raising Sand Radio

August 27: GIs speak out against war

2007-08-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "GIs speak out against war"

Listen to Iraq War Veteran Evan Knappenberger, 1st BDE, 4th Infantry Division, who will maintain an ongoing vigil on a 6' scaffold on the Mall in Washington, DC as part of a weeklong Tower Guard vigil beginning Sunday, August 26th through Saturday, September 1st. Evan is protesting the military's Stop Loss policy and policy for Inactive Reserve. Learn more from http://www.towerguard.org/

Another Iraq War Veteran, Sgt. James Circello, is Absent without Leave (AWOL) and preparing to turn himself back into military custody. For the first time he speaks out about why he refuses to return to fight in Iraq.

Playlist:
Dave Rovics: "Operation Iraqi Liberation" and "Who would Jesus bomb?"

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August 20: Islam in the Middle East and in the West

2007-08-18T17:09:00.001-07:00

Listen to or download "Islam in the Middle East and in the West"

Political Psychologist and Sufi Moslem Dr. Yannis Toussulis discusses the origins of Islam and the implications of how the predominantly Christian West views Islam and how the predominantly Moslem Middle East views the West. He briefly reviews cultural dislocations experienced by Moslems in the West, rising neo-nationalism, as well as the differences between Sunni and Shite.

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August 13: San Francisco's Passport to Poetry

2007-08-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "San Francisco's Passport to Poetry"

Poets from around the world gathered in San Francisco, California from July 27 to 29, 2007 to share their poetry, their craft, and their talents. They came from north and south America, Asia, Africa, Middle East, the Mediterranean countries, Australia, and Europe. Learn more about the poets and the festival at Passport to Poetry or
www.sfinternationalpoetryfestival.org.
The festival was envisioned by 2006 - 2007 San Francisco poet laureate Jack Hirschman and sponsored by Friends of the SF Library, Mayor Gavin Newsom and others.
Raising Sand presents poetry and interviews with Israeli poet Ahron Shabtai and Syrian poet Madam Maram Al Masri. English recitations presented by local San Francisco poets and artists.
To receive copies of the poetry read by the poets in their native languages contact raisingsand@gmail.com.

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Premeditated Murder? Or Bad Judgement that Led to a Death?

2007-08-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download, "Premeditated Murder? Or Bad Judgement that Led to a Death?"

Edgar Mora was charged with a hate crime in the commission of first degree murder. But was what happened premeditated murder or was it manslaughter committed during a drunken spree? Nine years later Mora and Steve Vender, his defense investigator, discuss the case as Edgar Mora tries to clear his name.

Playlist:
Bob Marley, "Talkin' Blues"
Willie King, "Terrorized"

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Dahr Jamail talks about the arc of the war in Iraq

2007-07-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "Dahr Jamail talks about the arc of the war in Iraq"

Independent, unembedded reporter Dahr Jamail talks about the war and occupation of Iraq and his involvement in it. From his position as an eye witness to the first and second sieges of Fallujah to his ongoing travels in Iraq and the Middle East, Dahr Jamail offers one of the few independent, progressive views of events in that country. He discusses the effects of the lack of accurate information on the American people and the biased reporting from the mainstream press in the U.S.

Playlist:
Oh, Baghdad, they killed you - music video

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Conversations to Change our Political Culture

2007-07-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "Conversations to Change our Political Culture"

Our guests invite our listeners into an ongoing conversation to change the prevailing political culture in the U.S. in which both "right" and "left" enact deeply entrenched "stuck" positions.

Eugenia Butler is a conceptual artist working with groups in practices of deep dialog as one aspect of her art.
Peter Dunlap is a clinical and political psychologist and author of forthcoming book, "Awakening our Faith in the Future: the Advent of Psychological Liberalism."
Dean Elias is an educator interested in emancipatory learning working with adult students of leadership.

Playlist:
Irma Thomas, I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free

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July 16: What is Jihad?

2007-07-14T21:42:00.001-07:00

Listen to or download "What is Jihad?"

Dr.Iain Edgar, Durham University, (UK) Dr. Tony Stigliano, Alliant University, (CA) Dr. Yannis Toussulis, Monterey Institute of International Studies, (CA) and Ph.D. candidate Mark Applebaum, Saybrook Graduate School (CA) discuss Jihad... what it is, what it isn't ... and present alternatives ways of approaching it.

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What is Raising Sand Radio?

2007-07-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "What is Raising Sand Radio?"
Raising Sand Producer, Byrd "Harmonica" Hale, and Host, Susan Galleymore, talk about how this progressive show came about, the shows they've done, the shows they plan on doing. All interspersed with World music.

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July 2: Agent Orange and Dioxin Contamination of Vietnam, Thirty Years Later

2007-06-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "Agent Orange and Dioxin Contamination of Vietnam, Thirty Years Later"

A panel presentation by Vietnamese delegates in the U.S. for a court hearing on the class action law suit against chemical companies responsible for dioxin and Agent Orange contamination in Vietnam during the American war in that country.
This second Vietnam Agent Orange Justice Tour took place between June 10-28, 2007 and was coordinated by Veterans for Peace and the Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Campaign.
Moderated by Nadya Williams, panelists include Merle Ratner, Dr. Thu, Mr. Muoi, Mrs. Hong, Mr. Hai, Mr. Quy and translated by Mr. Thuy.
Learn more about the panelists, the tour, and the campaign at Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign

Playlist:
"Hiroshima" by David Rovics
"Terrorized" by Willie King

Other Raising Sand shows on Vietnam
Listen to or download the April 30 show "War and the Environment"
Listen to or download the April 9 show "Vietnam, then and now: three perspectives"

Background:
Remembrance Day for All Victims of Chemical Warfare
Background on Depleted Uranium Depleted' Uranium and Casualties of the Gulf Wars
Read Letter to U.S. Sec. State Rice re... "request for U.S. introduction and support of a Resolution at the United Nations Security Council condemning excessive military force...."

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June 25: Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon and Middle East

2007-06-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon and Middle East"

In this third episode of Raising Sand's ongoing presentation of the underlying themes and issues affecting events in the Middle East, Dr. Michel Nabti discusses the origins of the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and Middle East.

Dr. Nabti presents a lens through which listeners can understand Lebanon's history and how it affects issues and events unfolding in Lebanon and the Middle East today. He is a native of Lebanon with a Ph.D. in modern Middle East Studies from Stanford. His career includes a stint at the Hoover Institute, extensive travels in the Middle East, lecturing widely at universities, associations, civic organizations, and appearing in radio, television and print media.

Listen to or download earlier episodes:
"Lebanon, now and then..."

"Christian-influenced political parties of Lebanon"

Email Raising Sand and let us know what you think of our series. Or, email us with suggestions of topics you'd like to hear aired.

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June 18: The San Francisco 8

2007-06-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download The San Francisco 8

Who are The San Francisco 8 and why wait 34 years to arrest them? Writer for the Bayview newspaper, Kiilu Nyasha talks about the original goals and aims of the Black Panther Party and who are the men locked up in solitary confinement in a San Francisco jail.

Playlist:
Willie King, "Terrorized"

Excerpt from the DVD, "Legacy of Torture: The War Against The Black Liberation Movement."

Learn More:
Freedom Archives

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June 11: Christians in Middle East and Lebanon

2007-06-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "Christians in Middle East and Lebanon"

Raising Sand's special correspondent Karen Button reports on Iraqi Christians refugees.

Dr. Michel Nabti presents a lens through which listeners can understand Lebanon's Christian-influenced political parties and how they affect issues and events unfolding in Lebanon and the Middle East today. Dr. Nabti is a native of Lebanon with a Ph.D. in modern Middle East Studies from Stanford. His career includes a stint at the Hoover Institute, extensive travels in the Middle East, lecturing widely at universities, associations, civic organizations, and appearing in radio, television and print media.

This is the second in a series of in-depth views of Lebanon and the Middle East. Each segment will be archived on this blog and available for easy reference and download.

Email Raising Sand and let us know what you think of our series. Or, email us with suggestions of topics you'd like to hear aired.

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June 4: A PI and his life's work in criminal defense

2007-06-04T21:51:00.001-07:00

Listen to or download "A PI and his life's work in criminal defense"

San Francisco-based Private Investigator Steve Vender talks about his life's work in criminal defense and why it is a vital component in the justice system.

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May 28: Lebanon, now and then...

2007-05-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download "Lebanon, now and then..."

Raising Sand's special correspondent Karen Button reports on the plight of Iraqi refugees in Jordan.

Stanford University Professor emeritus Michel Nabti presents a lens through which listeners can understand Lebanon's history and how it affects issues and events unfolding in Lebanon and the Middle East today. Prof. Nabti is a native of Lebanon with a Ph.D. in modern Middle East Studies from Stanford. His career includes a stint at the Hoover Institute, extensive travels in the Middle East, lecturing widely at universities, associations, civic organizations, and appearing in radio, television and print media.

Professor Nabti kicks off Raising Sand's series of in-depth views of the Middle East. Each segment will be archived on this blog and available for easy reference and download.

Email Raising Sand and let us know what you think of our series. Or, email us with suggestions of topics you'd like to hear aired.

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May 21: The Wartime Experience: from Middle East to the United States

2007-05-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download The Wartime Experience: from Middle East to the United States

Karen Button reports from Amman, Jordan on the growing Iraqi refugee crisis in the Middle East and, this week, focuses on the plight of refugees in Lebanon.

Director Richard E. Robbins discusses his film, Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience showing at the Red Vic Movie House from May 27 - 29. Meet the movie crew on Memorial Day, May 28 at a special matinée. For showtimes and details about the movie, visit www.redvicmoviehouse.com.

Listen to an audio excerpt from the film Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience.

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May 14: Recognizing Conscientious Objectors on International Conscientious Objectors' Day

2007-05-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

Download or listen to the show: Recognizing Conscientious Objectors on International Conscientious Objectors Day

David Harris was at Stanford University in early 1965 when he joined the embryonic movement against the Vietnam War. In 1966, he was elected Stanford Student Body President on a “radical” platform that called for an end to the war, equal rights for men and women students, and student control of student regulations. Shortly after that Harris refused a student deferment from military conscription, announced that he would not cooperate with the conscription system, and helped found the draft resistance movement devoted to civil disobedience against forced military service. A leading figure in the anti-war movement who refused to report for military service he was tried and convicted in San Francisco and imprisoned for twenty months.

After peace agreements were signed in 1973, David Harris began a career in journalism. Author of ten books, David writes about national and international issues and has reported from the United States, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Panama, Germany, France, and Lithuania.

Aimee Allison is a 14-year Oakland resident and holds a BA and Masters from Stanford University where she was student body president. She was a Conscientious Objector in the Persian Gulf War. Attracted by the army’s offer of education, she enlisted as a combat medic in order to pay to attend Stanford. As an undergraduate, she developed a strong commitment to pacifism while caring for veterans at the Palo Alto VA Hospital.

For more than a dozen years, Aimee has been a counselor to military personnel who are seeking CO status, a public speaker against war, and a non-violence trainer. She has been featured in the documentary Blood Makes the Grass Grow. As the lead organizer for the Defense Committee of Stephen Funk, the first openly gay Conscientious Objector, Aimee worked closely with Out Against the War, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Against War, and Veterans for Peace.

Camillo Meija is a former Staff Sergeant of the Florida National Guard and an anti-war activist. Camillo spent six months in Iraq, then returned for a 2-week furlough to the US after which he did not return for duty. He was charged with desertion and sentenced to one year in prison. In March 2004 he turned himself in to the military and filed for conscientious objector status. He claimed that he left his post in order to avoid duties that could be considered war crimes. One of his attorneys, former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark, claimed that Mejia was thus protected from desertion charges by international law. Nevertheless, Mejía was placed under court-martial.

On May 21, 2004 Mejía was convicted of desertion by a military jury and sentenced to a year in jail and a bad conduct discharge. During his time in custody he was recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience and was awarded by Refuse and Resist with its Courageous Resister Award. His just published book, "Road from ar Ramadi; The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejía," gives an insider view of being a soldier on the ground in Iraq.

Agustín Aguayo applied for a conscientious objector discharge from the Army three years ago and served for one year in Iraq as a medic, all the while refusing to load his weapon. He was convicted of desertion and missing movement March 6, 2007 in a U.S. military court in Germany. Although he faced a maximum of seven years in prison, Agustín was sentenced to eight months in the brig for following his conscience and refusing to participate in war. Having been imprisoned pending trial since September 2006, he was released from the brig on April 18, 2007.

Agustín is currently on leave from the military although still active duty. He is on a speaking tour sharing his experiences.

Background info:
Definition of CO; History of CO Day; Partial list of COs around the world

Playlist:
Universal Soldier, Buffy St. Marie
Blowin' in the Wind, Bob Dylan

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April 30: War and the Environment

2007-04-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download show, "War and the Environment"

An update from Ngo Thanh Nhan on an upcoming court case in the U.S. regarding victims of Agent Orange and looks at if, and how, it may relate to Depleted Uranium contamination in Middle East
In the KZSU studio: Nadya Williams, Veterans for Peace Associate, with perspective of AO and Depleted Uranium
An update from Karen Button in Lebanon regarding oil contamination in the Mediterranean from the war of summer 2006

Background:
Remembrance Day for All Victims of Chemical Warfare
Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign
Background on Depleted Uranium Depleted' Uranium and Casualties of the Gulf Wars
Read Letter to U.S. Sec. State Rice re... "request for U.S. introduction and support of a Resolution at the United Nations Security Council condemning excessive military force...."

Playlist:
Nawal El Zohgby from Lebanon
Also, music from Egypt (performers to be announced)

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April 23: Fastest growing refugee crisis in the world...

2007-04-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download show: The fastest growing refugee crisis in the world...
Karen Button in Damascus speaking about the UNHCR's refugee processing facility outside Damascus struggling to keep up with the flow of refugees from Iraq.

Elsa Rassbach in Germany with a brief report back on the 5th Cairo Conference and 3rd Cairo Social Forum held from March 29 to April 2, 2007.

Playlist:
Lyrics to Iraqi music video with Ahmed Adrapo: "Oh, Baghdad, they killed you"
They said daylight would come on their bloody swords of death
And now we see but destruction in the eyes of dying children
Oh, Baghdad, they killed you...
Ask not the devil why they are killing us
But, instead, ask the brothers who sold us
Where are the Arabs?
Where are the Muslim People?
Where is the anger for our brothers' blood and ours?
Where are the faithful soldiers?

Dave Rovics: "Who will tell the people?"

Background info:
PBS Special: "Gangs of Iraq"
BBC News: UN urges help for Iraqi refugees
Karen Button Blogspot: Escaping Baghdad for Damascus

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View music video:

April 16: Peace is more than just the absence of war

2007-04-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

Listen or download show, "Peace is more than just the absence of war" Show title quoted from Peaceful Revolutions

Captain Paul Chappell, US Army and soon-to-be author of Peaceful Revolutions

"Tom" - AWOL and soon-to-be-discharged soldier, US Army

Also, Jack Hirschman, poet laureate of San Francisco, recites, "Wanted you to know it"

Playlist
Dave Rovics: "After we torture our prisoners"
Sara Thompsen: "Is it for freedom"

Background:
Follow the progress of Capt. Chappell's book Peaceful Revolutions at Ten Speed Press
Article: "The Biggest Gang in the World"

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April 9, 2007: Vietnam, then and now: three perspectives

2007-04-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Listen to or download show
Minh-Hoa Ta is Director of the Asian Pacific American Student Success Center. After fleeing Vietnam in 1978 Minh-Hoa returned in 1989. Since 2000 she has been regularly visiting Vietnam and taking groups of students and friends.
Tony Luong is an artist and writer who is rediscovering the land of his birth from an American perspective.
Steve Morse is a former Vietnam war veteran and war resister who returned to Vietnam in 2006 for the first time since the war ended.

Background information:
Learn more about the tours and Minh-Hoa's work: www.ccsf.edu/apass - select "Study Tour"
Tony Luong's writing: "AS IS: A collection of visual and literary Works from Vietnamese American artists" available from Amazon.com and "Yellow Journal" - free from SF State Asian American Study Department.
GI Rights Hotline - 1800-394-9544
Search online for "Friendship Village" to learn more about efforts at reconciliation by Vietnam vets in Vietnam.

Recent news about Agent Orange (AO):
The Koran Vietnam vets, victims of AO, have established two branch offices in Vietnam, one in Hanoi and one in HCM City,
The Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin in Vietnam is on a trip to South Korea today... Reported by Joong Ang Daily.
Learn more on the Vietnam Relief and Responsibility Campaign website.

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April 2, 2007: The world of war tax resistance

2007-04-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

An interview with Susan Quinlan on war tax resistance: what it is, why to do it, how to do it, and what are the consequences. Also, views from war tax resistors, Dave Gross, Scott McCandless, and Elizabeth Boardman.

Background documentation:
Web site suggested by Dave Gross: http://sniggle.net/Experiment/
Suggested book titles and where to get them from Scott McCandless: Cracking the code: The fascinating truth of taxation in America, http://www.nwtrcc.org; order Ed Hedeman's book, Guide to withholding your support from the military at http://www.losthorizons.org ;

San Francisco Chronicle, April 3, 2007 The tax bucks stop here: Resisters withhold payment in protest of U.S. sending troops to Iraq

Also see, http://www.irsdetermination.us

Northern California War Tax Resistance: 510-843-9877

War Resisters League: 212-228-0450

Show playlist:
Taxman: Junior Walker
More than a paycheck: Sweet Honey in the Rock
Money: Pink Floyd

Learn more:
Can we NOT pay for the WAR with our Tax Money? How? Come & learn how you can withhold your war tax

War Tax Resisters Support and Information Meeting: Tues. April 10th 7:00 p.m.

San Jose Peace Center, 748 S. 7th St., San Jose.
Speakers: Susan Quinlan, a Bay Area organizer for the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) tells what to expect and how to prepare if you want to withhold your tax dollars from the Pentagon.
Rich Wood: Will tell you about his personal experiences in last several years how he withhold his War Taxes
If You have any doubt about why we should NOT pay for this War see this
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/03/30/portada.pdf

March 26, 2007: Planning Iraq's Future and ...

2007-03-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

An interview with Susan Galleymore discussing the report, "Planning Iraq's Future..." and travels in the Middle East

Read and use to educate and organize in your community: Planning Iraq's Future: A Detailed Project to Rebuild Post-Liberation Iraq

Compare above document with State Department recently unclassified "Future of Iraq Project" - Overview

Music:
Samir Joubran, Palestine, track, "Tamaas" from the album "Tamaas"
Shabaz, Pakistan, track, I Jewleh

Previous Shows

2007-03-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Anti-war Rallies, from Iraq to San Francisco (March 19, 07)

The Smoking Gun: The Oil Law in Iraq with Antonia Juhasz and Karen Button (March 12, 07)

Read entire draft text of Oil and Gas Law

International Women's Day: Refugee Women from Iraq with Karen Button; Helga Aguayo (March 9, 07)

Liam Madden - Appeal for Redress (March 3, 07)

View Appeal for Redress website

Iraq Veterans against War (IVAW - Olympia, WA) (Feb 28, 07)

First Court Martial of Lt. Ehren Watada (Feb 28, 07)

Isa Eric Shaw - spoken word poet (Feb 19, 07)