Activists Opposing Iraq War Campaign to Enlist City, State Governments

Interview with Joel Barkin, executive director of the Progressive States Network, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

According to public opinion polls, the American people are by a margin of 2 to 1 opposed to the Iraq war. They also line up 3 to 1 against President Bush's plan to escalate the war by sending more than 21,000 additional troops there. A majority of Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress are now opposed to the war, although whether they'll take meaningful action to end the U.S. occupation by cutting funding, remains to be seen. Although they have no direct say in U.S. foreign policy and no control over military funding, some American cities and state governments have passed resolutions condemning the war. The clearest link they have with the issue is that residents of cities and states pay federal taxes, where an ever-increasing share is going to fund the war, thus reducing resources for social programs.

Now the Progressive States Network has initiated an organized effort to urge the legislatures of at least 20 states to go on record opposing Mr. Bush's escalation of the Iraq war. In many cases the resolutions also oppose the war in general and call for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops. Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Joel Barkin, executive director of the Progressive States Network, who discusses the campaign, which states have taken up the fight, and why.

Contact the Progressive States Network. by calling (212) 680-3116 or visit the group's website at www.progressivestates.org .

For a breakdown on U.S. spending on the war by state, visit the website of the National Priorities Project at www.nationalpriorities.org

LISTEN to this week's half-hour program of Between The Lines by clicking on one of the links below:

http://www.btlonline.org

*

"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories & interviews with activists & journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national & regional political, economic & social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics & to check out our text archive listing topics & guests presented in previous programs visit: http://www.btlonline.org

*

"Between the Lines," WPKN 89.5 FM's weekly radio news magazine can be heard Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. ET; Wednesdays at 8 a.m. ET & Saturdays at 2 p.m. ET (Wednesday's show airs at 7:30 a.m. ET during fundraising months of April & October).

*

For an email subscription of "Between The Lines Weekly Summary" which features a RealAudio link to the week's program for Between The Lines, send an email to btlsummary-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

*

For an email subscription of "Between The Lines Q&A" which features a RealAudio link & weekly transcript to one of the interviews featured on Between The Lines, send an email to btlqa-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

*

http://www.btlonline.org

*

betweenthelines@snet.net

*

http://www.squeakywheel.net

*

Distributed by Squeaky Wheel Productions

©2007 Between The Lines. All Rights Reserved.