• Pakistan's Fledgling Government Struggles for Stability
• One Iraq War Resister Face Trial, Another Fights to Stay in Canada
• FSRN Street Beat: Should US War Resisters Remain in Canada?
• Democratic Convention Opens Monday in Denver
• Commentary By Mumia Abu-Jamal "68 Then and Now  (DNC and Democratic Protests)"
• PRA Rewind: 40th Anniversary of Soviet Invasion of the Czech Republic

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Pakistan's Fledgling Government Struggles for Stability

The recent political turnover and resignation of Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan is putting strain on the country's new government.  Ongoing war between local Taliban supporters and Pakistan's army in the tribal areas, the accompanying massive migration of civilians from these areas and a string of suicide bombings in the cities are not helping to stabilize the situation.   The floundering of the fledgling liberal coalition government, comprised of the People's Party and the Muslim League are leaving voters in the lurch.  Masroor Hussain reports from Karachi.

One Iraq War Resister Face Trial, Another Fights to Stay in Canada

After three years of fighting for refugee status as a US war resister in Canada, Robin Long will face a court-martial today in a Colorado Court.  Last month, the Canadian government deported Long, the first war resister sent back to the United States since the Vietnam War.  The Idaho native had fled to Canada three years earlier, believing the Iraq war to be immoral.  But after a failed application for refugee status and lengthy appeals, Canada delivered Long to US military custody.  If convicted, Long could face up to 3 years in jail and a dishonorable discharge.

Back in Canada, another Iraq war resister, Jeremy Hinzman, is fighting for himself and his family to remain in the Country.  The Canadian government has ordered the Hinzman family to leave by September 23rd – despite a motion passed in Parliament in early June calling for an end to the deportations.  Earlier this week Hinzman spoke at a Toronto forum to discuss strategies to stem the current tide of deportations. He spoke about the intervention of the Canadian Government and how the Supreme Court would not hear his case.  He says he's built a life for himself and his family in Canada, but he'd still rather serve jail time than fight any war.

The current hope for Hinzman is a new federal appeal in his case.  Alyssa Manning is a lawyer representing Hinzman and other war resisters.  She says the decision to deport Hinzman was made based on the assumption there would be adequate protection for his religious beliefs and political opinions.  But new evidence has emerged – evidence that has already been used to get a stay of deportation for another war resister Cory Glass.  Manning says there were definite errors in the decision to deport Hinzman and his family.  She hopes a new round of appeals will convince the Canadian Courts to stay the deportation.

FSRN Street Beat: Should US War Resisters Remain in Canada?


With Canada beginning to deport US war resisters, Free Speech Radio News decided to take an informal poll of people in Canada to find out what they think about the issue.   On this week's street beat, FSRN's Kristin Schwartz talked to a cross-section of people in downtown Toronto, at Dundas Square and Christie Pits Park. She asked them if Canada should let the war resisters stay, and found that among those she spoke to, support was even higher than what other national polls have showed.  Featured: Adil Usman, Stan White, Linda Calvert, Mansour Ali, Courtney Warden, Eugen Fuchs, and Fernando Martinez.

Democratic Convention Opens Monday in Denver

On Monday the Democratic Convention begins in Denver - signaling the official end of primary campaigns.  Even though Barack Obama hasn't yet released the name of his Vice Presidential candidate, the rest of the details are coming together.  Each night of the convention will have a theme: the first is "One America."  Michelle Obama will be the keynote speaker and will explain who Obama is.  Also in the convention line up are Hillary & Bill Clinton, workplace equality champion Lilly Ledbetter and Obama's vice-presidential choice.  In an effort to show the Democratic party is reaching out to its grassroots base, each night of the convention so-called "everyday Americans" will speak as well.   Obama will take his final-day convention speech to more than 70,000 at Denver's football stadium.

But the convention isn't just for speeches.  4,000 delegates and super delegates will descend on the city, as well as the media and a flood of lobbyists. But while the party activists are convention-going, party protestors will have days of demonstrations, concerts, and actions planned.  Larry Hales is the Organizer for Recreate 68.  They're planning an "end the occupation march" to the convention site. Progressive groups will also be holding universal health care forums, ballot access discussions, and out of Iraq panels.

Commentary By Mumia Abu-Jamal "68 Then and Now  (DNC and democratic protests)"

Mumia Abu-Jamal is an award-winning journalist who chronicles the human condition. He has been a resident of Pennsylvania’s death row for twenty-five years. Writing from his solitary confinement cell his essays have reached a worldwide audience. His books "Live From Death Row", "Death Blossoms", "All Things Censored", “Faith of Our Fathers” and the recently released “We Want Freedom” have sold over 150,000 copies and been translated into nine languages. His 1982-murder trial and subsequent conviction have been the subject of great debate.

PRA Rewind: 40th Anniversary of Soviet Invasion of the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic marked the 40th anniversary of the Soviet-led invasion of their country this week, with ceremonies and some protests against Russian involvement in the current conflict in Georgia. The 1968 invasion ended a period of liberal reforms known as the "Prague Spring." Today in this recording from 1968 preserved by the Pacifica Radio Archives, we'll hear a discussion with KPFA journalist Collin Edwards, who had just returned from Czechoslovakia. The discussion was moderated by Scott Keech.