2-20-13 Excellent Guests for Your Show

1. Anne Speckhard, Ph.D.: Death from the Skies - Targeted International Assassinations via U.S. Drones

2. Dave Bego: Right to Vote Hypocrisy

3. Kyle Olson: Forty-one States Require or Encourage Secret Contract Negotiations

Death from the Skies - Targeted International Assassinations via U.S. Drones

By Anne Speckhard, Ph.D.

With John Brennan - considered by many to be the mastermind behind U.S. drone policy - nominated to be the next head of the CIA, we are hearing a lot about drones. And unlike those upon who drones reign down terror - it’s not the high pitch of an overhead motor that we are hearing. Instead the discussion is all about kill rates, kill versus capture, terrorizing innocents and an absence of transparency about policy - particularly when Americans and minors are considered eligible targets. Surgically precise and effective - drone strikes are argued by many to be useful in decapitating known terrorist leadership; however, the truth is that noncombatants are also being effected and the human toll of that fact may be causing as much threat to our national security as live terrorist leaders also pose. Much of the damage caused by U.S. drone strikes is clouded in secrecy and the U.S. government rarely acknowledges the full extent of civilian casualties. [more...]

Right to Vote Hypocrisy

By Dave Bego

While the media has opened its eyes to some of these favors the President is pulling out for Big Labor – the minimum wage proposal is a favorite of Big Labor, because it would give them leverage for future contract negotiations – they fail to understand that the Obama Administration is effectively running a campaign on the American people. The push for an increase to the minimum wage, for example, is an old trick used by Big Labor when trying to force unionize employees. In the realm of labor organizing, Big Labor organizers will spin the misinformation to promise employees a wage increase if they vote for union representation. Ultimately, however, any increase which may be achieved comes with job losses or reductions in hours, as the business has not budgeted for the increase and cannot simply absorb the financial hit. It is a give and take. [more...]

Forty-one States Require or Encourage Secret Contract Negotiations

By Kyle Olson

Common sense suggests government should strive to be open and transparent so taxpayers can hold public officials accountable for their decisions. A recent study by the Goldwater Institute, however, shows common sense is sorely lacking in many states and municipalities around the nation. The Institute released a report last month titled “Airing Out Smoke-filled Rooms: Bringing Transparency to Public Union Collective Bargaining” that explores how employee unions and government officials conduct the public’s business. What researchers found is troubling, but not terribly surprising. [more...]