Carmen Russell-Sluchansky

Greece v. Galloway preview

November 5, 2013 Carmen Russell Podcast, Religion 0 Comments

Tomorrow the Supreme Court hears a case which can be summarized thus: Will a New York town be able to start its municipal meetings with prayers?

Host of Due Diligence and frequent SPAR partner Carmen Russell-Sluchansky joins me to argue why this case may not be as clear to decide as State/Church absolutists might believe.

The conversation invokes Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s quote that “(religious) Endorsement sends a message to non-adherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favored members of the political community.”

Jamila and Carmen enjoy much disagreement about how the Supreme Court will rule in the case.

 

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Gitmo solidarity hunger striker takes force-feeding in DC

October 19, 2013 Carmen Russell Podcast, Politics 00:27:10 0 Comments

By Carmen Russell-Sluchansky

The DC District Court heard arguments today over an appeal by Guantanamo inmates charging that the force-feeding of hunger striking detainees is cruel and inhumane.

To emphasize this, protestors gathered outside the court after the proceedings and held a vigil that included a volunteer undergoing a real force-feeding himself to demonstrate just how painful it is. More than 160 detainees remain in detention at the base in Cuba, with 15 still on hunger-strike and being force-fed.

Voice of Russia talked to Todd Pierce, a retired U.S. Army Reserve officer with 20 years of active duty during which he served as defense counsel in the office of military commissions. He currently represents a Guantanamo detainee.

Part 1:

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Voice of Russia also talked to Tighe Barry, CodePink activist trained as an EMT who participated in a rally against the force-feeding of Guantanamo detainees.

Part 2:

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Video of Andres Thomas Conteris (of http://www.closegitmo.net/) being force-fed in front of the Federal Court of Appeals in Washington DC on Friday. He is on his 103rd day of a hunger strike in solidarity of Guantanamo Bay detainees. Filmed by Liudmila Chernova & edited by Sean Nevins.

Slide show of the Rally held outside the Federal Court of Appeals, Washington DC. Photos by Liudmila Chernova. 

Values Voters Summit 2013

October 12, 2013 Carmen Russell Podcast, Politics 0 Comments

By Jamila Bey

The government continues its shutdown, but that hasn’t stopped the political right from their Voters’ Summit.

It’s that time of year where religious voters come to Washington to commune and advance their causes. This year we learned from Dr. Ben Carson that there is no “War on Women,” the Affordable Care Act is equivalent to slavery, and that the Christian god is in charge of the world. Host of “Due Diligence,” Carmen Russell-Sluchansky joins me to talk about what they’re talking about this year.

 

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Experts: Imprisoned and vulnerable should never be subjected to medical experimentation

July 9, 2013 Carmen Russell Podcast, Politics 00:15:22 0 Comments

Between 2006 and 2010, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ordered doctors to perform tubal ligation surgeries on women who were deemed likely to become repeat offenders while they were pregnant, violating prison rules and a ban in California of forced sterilizations, according to a new report by the Center for Investigative Reporting.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Dr. Matthew Butkus, a medical ethicist at McNeese State University; Dr. Danielle Lee, an evolutionary biologist and expert in the history of African-American interaction with science and medicine; Allen Hornblum, author of “Acres of Skin: Human Experiments at Holmesburg Prison” and the recently published, “Against Their Will: The Secret History of Medical Experimentation on Children in Cold War America;” and Carmen Russell-Sluchansky, chief legal and political correspondent with the Voice of Russia American Edition; to discuss the history of sterilization in the U.S. and how the Supreme Court has actually historically upheld the concept.

Part 1:

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To read the story by the Center for Investigating Reporting, click here.

To listen to our interview with the story’s reporter, click here.

Rosa Parks on the bus in Montgomery, Ala., on Dec. 1, 1955. Photo Credit: U.S. House of Representatives, Randy Forbes.

Civil and Human Rights Activists Celebrate Life of Rosa Parks on 100th Birthday

February 4, 2013 Carmen Russell Culture 00:13:45 0 Comments

African American civil rights activist Dr. Rosa Parks would have celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday. Known as “the First Lady of Civil Rights” and “the Mother of the Freedom Movement,” Dr. Parks took on cultural and societal norms and committed herself to improving conditions for many.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Carmen Russell-Sluchansky to discuss the legacy of Dr. Rosa Parks.

President Barack Obama defeated Republican White House challenger Mitt Romney last week in the race for presidency. Collage: ©Voice of Russia.

What About the CEOs who Threatened to Fire Staffs if Obama Re-Elected?

November 12, 2012 Carmen Russell Politics 00:07:45 0 Comments

With America still recovering from the grueling race between President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney, there are still a few stories on the presidential politics that haven’t been touched, including the CEOs who threatened to fire their staffs if Obama were re-elected.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Carmen Russell-Sluchansky, host of the Capitol Affairs Report, to discuss the story.

Former Sen. Arlen Specter died on Sunday of complicants from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Photo: U.S. Senate.

Remembering the Last of the Truly Moderate Republicans, Sen. Arlen Specter

October 15, 2012 Carmen Russell Politics 00:14:43 0 Comments

Former Pennsylvania senator and moderate Arlen Specter died on Sunday at 82 years old of complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, officials said.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Voice of Russia political affairs correspondent Carmen Russell-Sluchansky about the life and legacy of Specter.

President Barack Obama and GOP nominee Mitt Romney. Photos: White House; Voice of Russia, Carmen Russell-Sluchansky

Candidates Appear on ’60 Minutes’ in Pseudo-Preview of Debate

September 24, 2012 Carmen Russell Politics 00:18:27 0 Comments

The first presidential debate is just over a week away, but that doesn’t mean the two parties haven’t already started preparing.

Both GOP nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama appeared on CBS’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday night, giving Americans a likely preview of the upcoming debate.

Then on Monday, the National Press Club hosted a debate between top economic advisers integral to the formulation of the economic policy platforms of the two campaigns. Kevin Hassett represented Romney and Jeffrey Liebman spoke for Obama.

For more information, host Jamila Bey spoke with Voice of Russia correspondent Carmen Russell-Sluchansky, who attended Monday’s debate.