http://bravenewfilms.org/topics/americans-united 2008-10-06T16:50:04Z http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/53637-faith-and-patriotism-e-j-dionne 2008-10-06T16:50:04Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KmApFdhQUYM&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KmApFdhQUYM&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/53637-faith-and-patriotism-e-j-dionne"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/65100" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/07/01/EJ_Dionne_in_Conversation">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>Washington Post Op-Ed Columnist E.J. Dionne discusses the relationship between faith and patriotism - while cautioning against blind loyalty to either.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>Washington Post Op-Ed Columnist E.J. Dionne discusses religion and American politics, as a part of the Chautauqua Institution's 2008 lecture series. This program was recorded in collaboration with the Chautauqua Institution, in Chautauqua, NY, on July 1, 2008.</p> <p>E.J. Dionne is a twice-weekly columnist for The Post, writing on national policy and politics. His column appears on Tuesdays and Fridays.</p> <p>Before joining The Post in 1990 as a political reporter, he spent 14 years at The New York Times, covering local, state, and national politics, and also serve as a foreign correspondent in Paris, Rome and Beirut. Dionne began his column for The Post in 1993. He is a University Professor at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. Dionne has been a frequent commentator on politics for National Public Radio, ABC's "This Week," and NBC's "Meet the Press." His book Why Americans Hate Politics (1991), won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award nominee. He is also author of Stand Up Fight Back: Republican Toughs, Democratic Wimps, and the Politics of Revenge (2004), and They Only Look Dead: Why Progressives Will Dominate The Next Political Era (1996).</p> <p>Dionne received the American Political Science Association's annual Carey McWilliams Award in 1996 for a major journalistic contribution to the understanding of politics. In 2002, he received the Empathy Award from the Volunteers of America, and in 2004 he won the National Human Services Assembly's Award for Excellence by a Member of the Media.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/53637-faith-and-patriotism-e-j-dionne">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/53045-fighting-america-s-obesity-epidemic-thomas-frieden 2008-10-06T16:50:05Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bvf553dx25I&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bvf553dx25I&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/53045-fighting-america-s-obesity-epidemic-thomas-frieden"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/64357" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/07/31/Thomas_R_Frieden_Prevention_and_Primary_Care">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>New York City Commissioner of Health Thomas R. Frieden outlines his goals for reducing America's obesity epidemic.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>Thomas R. Frieden, the commissioner of the <br />New York City Dept. of Health discusses the structure of the U.S. Health Care System and interventions that can be taken to prevent important health issues like tobacco use and obesity.</p> <p>Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, has served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene since January 2002. Dr. Frieden has worked as an epidemiologist, administrator, teacher, researcher, clinician, and community organizer. His top priorities are to strengthen systems to accurately monitor the health of New Yorkers and to use this information to work with communities to improve their health.</p> <p>A graduate of Oberlin College, Dr. Frieden received degrees in Medicine and Public Health from Columbia University. He completed specialty training in Internal Medicine at Columbia and subspecialty training in Infectious Diseases at Yale University.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/53045-fighting-america-s-obesity-epidemic-thomas-frieden">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/49845-why-all-the-global-anti-americanism-shashi-tharoor 2008-09-16T12:45:30Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kQwXqOxzkJ0&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kQwXqOxzkJ0&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/49845-why-all-the-global-anti-americanism-shashi-tharoor"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/60499" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/07/21/Shashi_Tharoor_Restoring_Americas_Image_in_the_World">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>Indian author and diplomat Shashi Tharoor examines global "Anti-Americanism," arguing that such criticism is often linked to an inherent respect for American values and ideals.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>Shashi Tharoor discusses Restoring America's Image in the World: the Public Diplomacy Challenge as a part of American Foreign Policy: Leadership and Dialogue during the 2008 Chautauqua Institution morning lecture series.</p> <p>Shashi Tharoor is chairman of the Dubai-based Afras Ventures and former under-secretary-general for communications and public information at the United Nations.</p> <p>His UN career began in 1978, when he joined the staff of the United Nations high commissioner for refugees. He was also a senior adviser to the secretary-general. He has written hundreds of articles, op-eds, and book reviews in a wide range of publications. A contributing editor and occasional columnist for Newsweek International and a columnist for the Hindu and the Times of India, he is the author of nine books, including India: From Midnight to the Millennium, Nehru: The Invention of India, Bookless in Baghdad, The Great Indian Novel, Riot, and Show Business.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/49845-why-all-the-global-anti-americanism-shashi-tharoor">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/49834-threat-of-a-nuclear-terrorist-attack-on-the-us 2008-09-15T18:48:33Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xV2V70qlywY&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xV2V70qlywY&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/49834-threat-of-a-nuclear-terrorist-attack-on-the-us"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/60482" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/07/01/Iran_North_Korea_and_Nuclear_Energy">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>A panel of defense policy analysts discusses the likelihood of a nuclear terrorist attack on the United States.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>A panel consisting of Joseph Cirincione, Andrew Krepinevich, Bruce Blair, and John Holdren discuss Where Do We Go From Here: Iran, North Korea, Nuclear Energy and the Road to a World Without Nuclear Weapons at the 2008 Aspen Ideas Festival. The event was moderated by Jeffrey Goldberg.</p> <p>Andrew Krepinevich is a defense policy analyst, president of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, and Distinguished Visiting Professor at George Mason University's School of Public Policy. </p> <p>Scott Kleeb is an American rancher, professor, and political candidate in Nebraska. Kleeb is the Democratic candidate in the election for the open US Senate seat being vacated by Republican Chuck Hagel.</p> <p>John P. Holdren is Teresa and John Heinz Professor of Environmental Policy and Director of the Program on Science, Technology, and Public Policy at the Kennedy School, as well as Professor of Environmental Science and Public Policy in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University. His work focuses on causes and consequences of global environmental change, analysis of energy technologies and policies, ways to reduce the dangers from nuclear weapons and materials, and the interaction of content and process in science and technology policy.</p> <p>Bruce Blair is president of the World Security Institute, a nonprofit organization that he founded in 2000 to promote independent research and journalism on global affairs. Blair is an expert on US and Russian security policies, specializing in nuclear forces and command-control systems. Blair, a MacArthur Prize awardee, has taught security studies at both Harvard and Yale universities.</p> <p>Jeffrey Goldberg is the staff writer and Middle East correspondent for the New Yorker. He joined the staff of the New Yorker in 2000.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/49834-threat-of-a-nuclear-terrorist-attack-on-the-us">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/45768-americans-rate-personal-lives-well-u-s-poorly 2008-09-04T07:04:01Z Gallup <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/61MKVmpUUWE&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/61MKVmpUUWE&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/45768-americans-rate-personal-lives-well-u-s-poorly"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/53038" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Despite the small percentage of Americans who say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the United States (15%), a large majority (86%) say they are very (46%) or somewhat satisfied (40%) with their personal lives.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/45768-americans-rate-personal-lives-well-u-s-poorly">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/38810-kathleen-frydl-is-iraq-another-vietnam 2008-06-10T14:43:58Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QxKrt_iT_gU&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QxKrt_iT_gU&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/38810-kathleen-frydl-is-iraq-another-vietnam"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/43812" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/03/30/Dr__Kathleen_Frydl_Echoes_of_the_60s">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>UC-Berkeley Professor of History Kathleen Frydl draws parallels between the Vietnam War and the current war in Iraq.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>Kathleen Frydl discusses Echoes of the 60s.</p> <p>Are we now living in an era that echoes the 1960s? Comparisons between the wars in Iraq and Vietnam have become commonplace rhetorical devices in political campaigns, newspaper columns, and stand-up comedy routines. These comparisons can be illustrative, illuminating, and even funny, but are they apt?</p> <p>In conversation with Grace Cathedral's Dean, Alan Jones, U.C. Berkeley professor of history Kathleen Frydl will discuss the cultural features - the rise of the mass media, fluctuations in American knowledge and public opinion, the level of public trust in government - of the Vietnam Era against the backdrop of the intervening 40 years and today's zeitgeist.</p> <p>Kathleen Frydl's field is the U.S. since 1607, with special emphasis on the 20th century. Thus far her research has focused on political history and, within that subfield, she has maintained a particular interest in institutions. She lectures survey courses on recent U.S. history, political history from the Gilded Age, and (with her colleague Peter Zinoman) on the Vietnam War.</p> <p>Her forthcoming book, The GI Bill, will be published by Cambridge University Press - Grace Cathedral</p> <p>Dr. Kathleen Frydl is an Assistant Professor of History at U.C. Berkeley. Kathleen Frydl's field is the U.S. since 1607, with special emphasis on the 20th century. Thus far her research has focused on political history and, within that subfield, she has maintained a particular interest in institutions. She lectures survey courses on recent U.S. history, political history from the Gilded Age, and (with her colleague Peter Zinoman) on the Vietnam War. </p> <p>Her forthcoming book, The GI Bill, will be published by Cambridge University Press.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/38810-kathleen-frydl-is-iraq-another-vietnam">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/38273-richard-carmona-america-s-obesity-epidemic 2008-06-05T18:35:05Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cPNw-kIPy8I&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cPNw-kIPy8I&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/38273-richard-carmona-america-s-obesity-epidemic"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/43232" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/04/02/Former_Surgeon_General_Dr__Richard_Carmona">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona examines America's ongoing obesity epidemic.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>Prevention: The Key to Heading off a National Health-Care Crisis with former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, M.D.</p> <p>Carmona describes the current health crisis as preventable and reversible. He notes that chronic disease accounts for 7 in 10 deaths and 75 cents of every dollar spent on health care in the United States.</p> <p>As 17th U.S. surgeon general, Carmona worked to revise our nation's approach to health by emphasizing the importance of increasing prevention, eliminating health disparities and improving health literacy.</p> <p>Carmona's rise to being "doctor of the nation" is particularly remarkable because of his disadvantaged childhood. He was homeless at age 6 and a high-school dropout at 17. Join us to hear Carmona's insights about our health-care challenges and opportunities - The Commonwealth Club of California</p> <p>Dr. Richard H. Carmona was born to a poor family in New York City. Dr. Carmona experienced homelessness, hunger and health disparities during his youth. The experiences greatly sensitized him to the relationships among culture, health, education and economic status and shaped his future.</p> <p>After dropping out of high school, Dr. Carmona enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. While serving, he earned his General Equivalency Diploma and went on to become a combat-decorated Special Forces Vietnam veteran. After leaving active duty, he was able to attend Bronx Community College of the City University of New York through an open enrollment program for veterans. He earned an associate of arts degree and then attended the University of California, San Francisco, where he received a bachelor of science degree (1977) and medical degree (1979). At the University of California Medical School, Dr. Carmona was awarded the prestigious gold-headed cane as the top graduate.</p> <p>Originally trained in general and vascular surgery after medical school, Dr. Carmona completed a <br />National Institutes of Health-sponsored fellowship in trauma, burns and critical care. He is a Fellow <br />of the American College of Surgeons. Recruited jointly by the Tucson (Arizona) Medical Center and <br />the University of Arizona, Dr. Carmona started and directed Arizona's first regional trauma care <br />system, and became the chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical <br />System, a professor of surgery, public health and family and community medicine at the University <br />of Arizona, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department surgeon and deputy sheriff.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/38273-richard-carmona-america-s-obesity-epidemic">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/38038-gary-hart-a-new-american-internationalism 2008-06-17T03:30:36Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RQFy9w6f6bc&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RQFy9w6f6bc&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/38038-gary-hart-a-new-american-internationalism"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/42973" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/03/26/Gary_Hart_Under_the_Eagle_s_Wing">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>Former U.S. Senator Gary Hart argues for a "new internationalism" to address global issues.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>Former U.S. Senator Gary Hart discusses his new book Under the Eagle's Wing: A National Security Strategy of the United States for 2009.</p> <p>Gary Hart is currently Wirth Chair Professor at the University of Colorado, distinguished fellow at the New America Foundation, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.</p> <p>A thoughtful treatise, Under the Eagle's Wing makes a compelling plea for our upcoming leaders to embrace a new world order, one in which the U.S. and other nations draw strength from a united approach - Tattered Cover Book Store</p> <p>Gary Hart is an author, lecturer, teacher, scholar, attorney, and former US Senator from Colorado. A candidate in 1984 for the Democratic Party's nomination for president, during 1970-1972 he managed Senator George McGovern's presidential campaign. He has also served as an appellate attorney in the Justice Department, a special assistant at the Department of the Interior, and senior counsel to the international law firm Coudert Brothers. </p> <p>He co-chaired the US Commission on National Security/21st Century as well as the Council on Foreign Relations' Task Force on Homeland Security. In the Congress he founded the Military Reform Caucus, served on the Senate select committee to investigate the intelligence agencies, and introduced a collection of environmental measures for energy independence.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/38038-gary-hart-a-new-american-internationalism">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/38017-misguided-aid-in-afghanistan-washington-post-panel 2008-06-16T09:32:11Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_n_Xw1Af7ys&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_n_Xw1Af7ys&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/38017-misguided-aid-in-afghanistan-washington-post-panel"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/42943" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/03/13/Washington_Post_Panel_America_and_the_World_2008">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>Washington Post reporter Pamela Constable discusses problems with American aid distribution in post-war Afghanistan. This excerpt is taken from a panel discussion entitled, "Washington Post Panel: America and the World in 2008," recorded in collaboration with the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>The Council's Annual Washington Post Panel continues with the Foreign News Editors and Correspondents from the Washington Post discussing major world issues facing the country and the new president - World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C.</p> <p>Pamela Constable has covered South Asia for The Washington Post since April 1999, with extensive coverage of Afghanistan as well as both India and Pakistan.</p> <p>Before arriving in New Delhi in 1999, Constable worked for The Post from 1994 to 1998 covering immigration and Hispanic affairs in the Washington area, and reported from Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti and Cuba.</p> <p>Prior to joining The Post, Constable worked for The Boston Globe as deputy Washington bureau chief and foreign policy reporter from June to September 1994. Previously, from 1983 until 1992, she was The Globe's roving foreign correspondent, Latin America correspondent and diplomatic correspondent. During this time she reported from Haiti, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Cuba, Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico, South Korea, the Philippines, the Soviet Union and Brazil, as well as in Washington.</p> <p>From 1978 to 1982, she was a staff writer at The Baltimore Sun. Prior to that, she worked as a reporter for the Evening Capital in Annapolis.</p> <p>She is the co-author with Arturo Valenzuela of A Nation of Enemies: Chile Under Pinochet, and has written articles for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Current History and other publications. She was awarded an Alicia Patterson Fellowship in 1990 and the Maria Moors Cabot Prize for coverage of Latin America in 1993. </p> <p>Constable is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She received a B.A. from Brown University.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/38017-misguided-aid-in-afghanistan-washington-post-panel">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/37777-marriage-as-a-status-symbol 2008-06-14T09:35:48Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_aSj5tO-qHU&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_aSj5tO-qHU&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/37777-marriage-as-a-status-symbol"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/42577" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/04/02/Changing_American_Family">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>Sociology professor Andrew Cherlin examines the modern status of marriage in the U.S. as compared to other western countries.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>The Changing American Family</p> <p>The writings of social scientists and their popularizers reflect the dramatic changes that have taken place in marriage, child rearing, and family life in the United States. Where such writers once spoke simply of "the family," they now speak of "the diversity of family forms" and the rapidity with which those forms can change.</p> <p>This panel offers objective and unsentimental views of the family and addresses basic questions about family life in the United States today. How do popular myths about family life compare with verifiable realities? What constitutes a marriage or a divorce? How do contemporary adult work patterns affect family life? Featuring Doyle McCarthy, professor of sociology at Fordham University and author of Knowledge as Culture; William Doherty, professor and director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota; Arlene Skolnick, visiting scholar, Sociology Department, NYU and author of Embattled Paradise; and Andrew J. Cherlin, John Hopkins University professor and author of Public and Private Families: An Introduction - The New School</p> <p>Andrew J. Cherlin is Griswold Professor of Public Policy in the department of sociology, Johns Hopkins University and author of Public and Private Families: An Introduction.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/37777-marriage-as-a-status-symbol">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/34993-impact-of-an-iranian-nuclear-program-on-the-middle-east 2008-06-12T15:36:47Z FORAtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MTz9E574jE8&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MTz9E574jE8&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/34993-impact-of-an-iranian-nuclear-program-on-the-middle-east"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/38464" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Complete video at: <a href="http://fora.tv/2008/02/12/Abbas_Milani_and_Barbara_Slavin_Inside_Iran">fora.tv</a> </p> <p>Middle East expert Abbas Milani and USA Today reporter Barbara Slavin discuss the impact of an Iranian nuclear program on diplomacy in the Middle East.</p> <p>-----</p> <p>Inside Iran: Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies with panelists Abbas Milani and Barbara Slavin. Jamal Dajani of Link TV moderates.</p> <p>The heat is rising and it's time to take a fresh look at our frenemy, Iran. Is Iran the new Iraq in U.S. foreign policy? Are the people of Iran anti-U.S., or is only the current regime? Is there an effective difference?</p> <p>An American journalist, an Iranian journalist and a professor of Iranian culture, politics and history will help demystify Iran and lead us to a new understanding of the future of our relationship with our neighbors in the Middle East - The Commonwealth Club of California</p> <p>Barbara Slavin is the senior diplomatic reporter for USA TODAY since 1996, with the responsibility for analyzing foreign news and U.S. foreign policy. She has covered such key issues as the U.S.-led war on terrorism, policy toward "rogue" states, the reform movement in Iran and the Arab-Israeli conflict. She has also accompanied two Secretaries of State on their official travels and reported from Libya, Israel, Egypt, North Korea, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Syria.</p> <p>Abbas Milani is a research fellow and co-director of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution. In addition, Dr. Milani is Director of the Iranian Studies Program at Stanford University and a visiting professor in the department of political science. His expertise is U.S./Iran relations, Iranian cultural, political, and security issues.</p> <p>Jamal Dajani is an award winning producer and Senior Director of Middle Eastern Programming at Link TV. Born and raised in Jerusalem, Dajani completed his early studies at College des Freres and attended Columbia University in New York City, where he received a B.A. degree in Political Science.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/34993-impact-of-an-iranian-nuclear-program-on-the-middle-east">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/32901-nancy-boyda-good-for-kansas-economy 2008-10-06T16:27:36Z alicescheshirecat <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YZINz-ZRFR0&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YZINz-ZRFR0&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/32901-nancy-boyda-good-for-kansas-economy"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/35844" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>An independent expenditure done by Americans United for change</p> </div> <a href="/blog/32901-nancy-boyda-good-for-kansas-economy">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/31607-few-americans-impressed-with-u-n 2008-06-13T03:30:31Z Gallup <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hplAjqdpfLg&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hplAjqdpfLg&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/31607-few-americans-impressed-with-u-n"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/34059" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>he number of Americans that say the United Nations is doing a good job has steadily decreased since 2000 and is now at an all-time low of 27%.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/31607-few-americans-impressed-with-u-n">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/23448-most-rate-own-lives-well-but-u-s-poorly 2008-06-12T03:33:38Z Gallup <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bzXAo59AZZM&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bzXAo59AZZM&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/23448-most-rate-own-lives-well-but-u-s-poorly"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/25417" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Americans continue to report high levels of personal satisfaction, even though only 27% are satisfied with the way things are going in the country.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/23448-most-rate-own-lives-well-but-u-s-poorly">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/22390-lakota-indian-secession-movement-begins 2008-06-09T09:38:41Z youngturks <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EN4CuAIVFhM&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EN4CuAIVFhM&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/22390-lakota-indian-secession-movement-begins"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/23916" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Find out why the Lakota Indian Secession might actually make news. And watch the entire show at www.theyoungturks.com.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/22390-lakota-indian-secession-movement-begins">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/18655-mcconnell-ad-satirized-by-public-campaign-action-fund 2008-06-14T21:29:25Z cliffschecter <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PCrYajugVG4&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PCrYajugVG4&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/18655-mcconnell-ad-satirized-by-public-campaign-action-fund"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/18339" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>They are also putting up an ad on the airwaves they already aired back up in Kentucky. Including the DSCC ad and the Americans United one, there are three ads up slamming Grandma Mitch right now in Kentucky. </p><p>His boy Fletcher just suffered an electoral battering in the governor&#39;s race and McConnell was just busted for inserting pork into a bill to benefit a British defense contractor who his former chief of staff lobbies for (and&nbsp;the company is&nbsp;under investigation for bribery). He also used Alben Barkley II in a campaign commercial, a famous Kentucky Democrat&nbsp;(well, at least his dad was)&nbsp;who also happens to be infamous for being a sexual harasser (oops on the vetting). </p><p>Oh, and polls show that two different potential opponents, the AG and State&nbsp;Auditor in Kentucky&nbsp;would begin this campaign cycle almost within the margin of error of Mitch&#39;s numbers. But before he takes them on, he may get an Independent challenge, funded by the Club For Growth, from a right-wing Republican in Kentucky who has run statewide before and has been constantly attacking him for abandoning Governor Fletcher and conservative principles.</p><p>All in all, not a great couple of weeks for the corporatized, right-wing hack.</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/18655-mcconnell-ad-satirized-by-public-campaign-action-fund">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/18019-republicans-once-again-hit-for-opposing-children-s-healthcare 2008-06-15T03:29:19Z cliffschecter <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8bW6cR0Fp-Y&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8bW6cR0Fp-Y&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/18019-republicans-once-again-hit-for-opposing-children-s-healthcare"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/17690" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>These ads are by Americans United (AUFC). And they are good.</p><p>This one exposes Rep. Steve Chabot, a right-winger masquerading as a moderate. Similar ads target Reps. Ric Keller and Sam Graves, as well as everyone&#39;s favorite Senator/Corporate ATM, Mitch McConnell.</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/18019-republicans-once-again-hit-for-opposing-children-s-healthcare">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/17798-what-if-boehner-and-mcconnell-s-kids-didn-t-have-health-care 2008-06-15T03:30:18Z cliffschecter <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lTcMIospGVM&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lTcMIospGVM&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/17798-what-if-boehner-and-mcconnell-s-kids-didn-t-have-health-care"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/17475" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>Well that one kinda answers itself, doesn&#39;t it. It&#39;s like asking where would Rudy Giuliani be if there had been no 9/11 or why&nbsp;Larry Craig voted to ban gay marriage.<br /><br />Sudddenly when there were mental health issues in his family Pete Domenici supported mental health parity and because of his experience in Vietnam Chuck Hagel is&nbsp;progressive on the war.</p><p>Republicans are&nbsp;hypocrites who literally are missing empathy from their DNA, so when it&#39;s their problem, they go running to the&nbsp;government for help. With everyone else, not so&nbsp;much.&nbsp;</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/17798-what-if-boehner-and-mcconnell-s-kids-didn-t-have-health-care">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/10993-americans-united-mocks-right-wing-pro-war-with-someone-else-s-kids-freedom-watch 2008-06-17T15:31:24Z cliffschecter <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TXkogSgVqC4&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TXkogSgVqC4&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/10993-americans-united-mocks-right-wing-pro-war-with-someone-else-s-kids-freedom-watch"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/11135" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>This group&nbsp;of&nbsp;intellectually-dormant foreign policy retards&nbsp;will only patch your phone calls through to Congress if you support their war. That&#39;s &quot;freedom&quot; to them. </p><p>That&nbsp;is how pathetic they are.</p><p>Wow, just when you thought that Ari Fleischer couldn&#39;t find a more ludicrous job than his last one, he fronts for this group. </p><p>And then there&#39;s&nbsp;the Republican funder of this band of bozos (and Joe Lieberman ally), Mel Sembler, <a href="http://cliffschecter.blogspot.com/2007/01/im-not-sure-what-to-say-but-what.html">who once sued someone for stealing his penis pump</a>. </p><p>I bet you thought a man&nbsp;such as that couldn&#39;t embarass himself anymore than he already has. Apparently he can.</p><p>You just can&#39;t make this stuff up.</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/10993-americans-united-mocks-right-wing-pro-war-with-someone-else-s-kids-freedom-watch">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/10771-susan-collins-and-president-bush-bosom-buddies-on-iraq 2008-06-17T15:33:50Z cliffschecter <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/elfmnHmAYKo&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/elfmnHmAYKo&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/10771-susan-collins-and-president-bush-bosom-buddies-on-iraq"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/10928" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>Our friends at Americans United remind us that Susan Collins has supported President Bush and enabled the deaths of over 3,700 American troops based on a series of lies.</p><p>Will she grow a conscience and get us out? Sadly, I wouldn&#39;t count on it.</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/10771-susan-collins-and-president-bush-bosom-buddies-on-iraq">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/9397-minnesota-iraq-summer-kick-off 2008-06-18T09:34:32Z IraqSummer <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eHVR1y75-Es&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eHVR1y75-Es&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/9397-minnesota-iraq-summer-kick-off"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/9495" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Americans United For Change and Americans Against Escalation in Iraq came together to kick off Minnesota Iraq Summer, a ten week campaign to turn up the heat on pro-war politicians obstructing an end to the war. At the event, a television ad exposing Sen. Norm Coleman's pro-war position was launched.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/9397-minnesota-iraq-summer-kick-off">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/8051-keep-moving-america-forward 2008-06-06T09:31:56Z cliffschecter <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CE0S3Njqjpo&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CE0S3Njqjpo&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/8051-keep-moving-america-forward"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/7343" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>A new ad by Americans United. Not overwhelming. But nicely done. It reminds us how Democrats raise wages and provide healthcare, while Republicans take us into America-weakening wars and frequent prostitutes.</p><p>Ok, it doesn&#39;t say anything about the last part. But we all know it&#39;s true.</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/8051-keep-moving-america-forward">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/5286-americans-united-hits-midnight-toker-norm-coleman-on-iraq 2008-06-07T15:32:03Z cliffschecter <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PfXwyL1SN9w&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PfXwyL1SN9w&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/5286-americans-united-hits-midnight-toker-norm-coleman-on-iraq"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/thumbnail_pic/4564" style="border: solid 1px black; margin-right: 7px; margin-top: 3px;" align="left" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/5286-americans-united-hits-midnight-toker-norm-coleman-on-iraq">Watch the video</a>