With less than 40 days to go before the 2012 presidential election, poet and activist Alice Walker reads her new poem, “Democratic Womanism,” and discusses her thoughts on President Obama’s legacy, including his use of drone strikes. “You ask me why I smile when you tell me you intend in the coming national elections to hold your nose and vote for the lesser of two evils,” reads Walker. “There are more than two evils out there, is one reason I smile.” [includes rush transcript]

We continue our conversation with the legendary poet, author and activist, Alice Walker, who has also been a longtime advocate for the rights of Palestinians. Last summer, she was one of the activists on the U.S. ship that attempted to sail to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla aimed at challenging Israel’s embargo of the Gaza Strip. Alice Walker also serves on the jury of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, an international people’s tribunal created in 2009 to bring attention to the responsibility other states bear for Israel’s violations of international law. Walker describes her upbringing in the segregated South, then goes on to discuss today’s segregation in the Occupied Territories. “The unfairness of it is so much like the South. It’s so much like the South of 50 years ago, really, and actually more brutal, because in Palestine so many more people are wounded, shot, shot, killed, imprisoned. You know, there are thousands of Palestinians in prison virtually for no reason,” Walker says. [includes rush transcript]

On the 30th anniversary of the publication of “The Color Purple,” we speak with author, poet and activist Alice Walker about her groundbreaking novel and its enduring legacy. Set mainly in rural Georgia in the 1930s, the book tells the story of a young, poor African-American woman named Celie and her struggle for empowerment in a world marked by sexism, racism and patriarchy. The novel earned Walker a Pulitzer Prize in 1983, making her the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer for fiction. Walker explains the origin of the book’s title and explores some of its central characters and their connection to her own family history. [includes rush transcript]

Iraq: Prison Attack Kills At Least 12, Frees Dozens of Prisoners, Minneapolis Shooting Spree Leaves 5 Dead, Including Gunman, California Man Behind Anti-Islam Film Arrested for Probation Violation, Greece, Spain Announce Austerity Plans Despite Mass Protests, U.N.: Up to 700,000 Refugees May Flee Syria, Soros, Other Donors Pledge Millions for Democratic Super PACs, Obama Calls for “Economic Patriotism” in Virginia Address, Romney Vows to Maintain U.S. Military Dominance in Virginia Speech, Romney in 1985 Video: Bain’s Goal is to “Harvest” Companies for Profit, Akin Draws Fresh Criticism for Saying Opponent Was Previously More “Ladylike”, Florida Restarts Controversial Voter Purge, Netanyahu Draws “Red Line” on Iran’s Nuclear Program Before U.N. General Assembly, Palestinian Leader Condemns Settler Attacks in U.N. Address, Report: Payments to Settle Fraud by U.S. Drugmakers Have Doubled in 2012, Goldman Sachs Reaches $12 Million Settlement over SEC Charges, EPA Proposes Tough New Standards for Asbestos Cleanup, Study: Student Debt Reaches Record High with 1 in 5 U.S. Households Affected

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may have been designated an “enemy of the state” by the United States. U.S. Air Force counterintelligence documents show military personnel who contact WikiLeaks or its supporters may be at risk of being charged with “communicating with the enemy” — a military crime that carries a maximum sentence of death. We speak to attorney Michael Ratner, president emeritus of the Center for Constitutional Rights and a legal adviser to Assange and WikiLeaks. [includes rush transcript]

Speaking via videolink from the Ecuadorean embassy in London, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange addressed a side meeting of the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday evening. In his remarks, Assange gave thanks to the United Nations for its treaties on political asylum and denounced the U.S. treatment of alleged Army whistleblower Bradley Manning. Assange also accused President Obama of exploiting the Arab Spring and called on the U.S.to end its persecution of WikiLeaks and its supporters. We air Assange’s address. [includes rush transcript]

Democracy Now! premieres “The United States of ALEC,” a special report by legendary journalist Bill Moyers on how the secretive American Legislative Exchange Council has helped corporate America propose and even draft legislation for states across the country. ALEC brings together major U.S. corporations and right-wing legislators to craft and vote on “model” bills behind closed doors. It has come under increasing scrutiny for its role in promoting “stand your ground” gun laws, voter suppression bills, union-busting policies and other controversial legislation. Although billing itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership,” ALEC is actually a national network of state politicians and powerful corporations principally concerned with increasing corporate profits without public scrutiny. Moyers’ special will air this weekend on Moyers & Company, but first airs on Democracy Now! today. “The United States of ALEC” is a collaboration between Okapi Productions, LLC and the Schumann Media Center. [includes rush transcript]

Anti-Austerity Protests Continue in Greece, Spain, Activists Claim More Than 300 Killed in Syria; U.N. Warns of 700,000 Refugees, Egyptian President Opposes Syria Intervention, Ahmadinejad Says “Uncivilized Zionists” Threaten Iran, Obama, Romney Spar on China Trade in Ohio, UC Davis Reaches $1 Million Settlement over Pepper-Spraying of Student Protesters , U.S. Army Tested Chemicals on Cities, Low-Income Residents, Ex-Guatemalan Commander Ordered to Stand Trial in U.S., Study: Global Warming Could Claim 100 Million Lives by 2030, U.S. Eases Ban on Burmese Imports, NFL, Refs Strike Deal to End Lockout, 2012 Right Livelihood Awards Announced in Sweden

A labor dispute between the National Football League and the union representing its referees reached a fever pitch Monday night during a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers when substitute referees failed to call pass interference before a last-second touchdown. The play ended the game in favor of the Seahawks, when many argue it should have gone the other way. The play focused attention on the NFL’s decision to use substitute referees after it locked out the regular professionals over a dispute about pension plans and compensation. We’re joined by sportswriter Dave Zirin. [includes rush transcript]

A new report on the secret U.S. drone war in Pakistan says the attacks have killed far more civilians than acknowledged, traumatized a nation and undermined international law. In “Living Under Drones,” researchers conclude the drone strikes “terrorize men, women, and children, giving rise to anxiety and psychological trauma among civilian communities.” The study concludes that most of the militants killed in the strikes have been low-level targets whose deaths have failed to make the United States any safer. Just 2 percent of drone attack victims are said to be top militant leaders. We’re joined by report authors James Cavallaro, director of the International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic at Stanford University, and Sarah Knuckey, professor at New York University School of Law and former adviser to the U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions. [includes rush transcript]

Thousands of people surrounded the Spanish Parliament in Madrid on Tuesday to protest austerity measures and the loss of public confidence in elected leaders. The “Occupy Congress” protest came as the conservative administration of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy prepares to unveil further austerity measures on Thursday. After hours of protest, police in riot gear charged against demonstrators with batons and fired rubber bullets. Thirty-five people were arrested, and at least 60 people were injured. We go to Madrid to speak with independent journalist Maria Carrion. [includes rush transcript]

Syrian Army Command Post Bombed in Damascus, Greek Workers Hold General Strike, Thousands Surround Spanish Parliament in Austerity Protest, Obama Addresses Middle East Film Protests, Iran in U.N. Speech, Ban Ki-moon Criticizes Israel on Settlements, War Threats, Ahmadinejad Says Israel “Map” Remark Refers to “Occupation”, Bahraini Activist Sentenced to 2 Months in Prison, Appeals Court Rejects Challenge to Arizona Anti-Immigrant Law, NYC Prosecutors Stop “Stop and Frisk” Cases in Bronx Public Housing, Activists Target Anti-Islam Ads in NYC Subways, Activists Continue Tar Sands Blockade in Texas, Scott Brown Supporters Filmed Making Derogatory Gestures, Chants

Wow, filing a small claim case is stunningly easy and fast.  To file online, go to: https://www.jp.pima.gov/efile2/ . There is an option to practice filing before you file the real complaint.  Definitely practice first.  It’s takes less …

Hi there,In the last posting I mentioned I was at the Arizona Corporate Commission website where I was to find the information I need in order to file a small claims case against a corporation.  Here’s what I found:  http://starpas.azcc.gov/s…

At a time of heated and divisive debate over immigration, the new feature-length documentary, “Harvest of Empire,” examines the direct connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today. Based on the groundbreaking book by award-winning journalist and Democracy Now! co-host Juan González, “Harvest of Empire” takes an unflinching look at the role that U.S. economic and military interests played in triggering an unprecedented wave of migration that is transforming our nation’s cultural and economic landscape. González is a columnist at the New York Daily News and author of three other books, including “News for All the People: The Epic Story of Race and the American Media.” We’re also joined by the film’s co-director, Eduardo López. [includes rush transcript]

U.S. Drone Strike Kills 5 in Pakistan, Study: Drones “Terrorize” Pakistani Civilians, Avoid Top Militants, Syrian Rebels Bomb School Housing Gov’t Forces, 2 Marines Face Court-Martial for Urinating Incident in Afghanistan, Romney: U.S. Should “Shape the Future” of Middle East, Obama Dismisses Israeli Pressure of Iran War as “Noise”, Study: Voting Laws Could Disenfranchise 10 Million Latinos, In Reversal, Appeals Court Rules Army Corps Immune in Katrina Flooding Suit, Environmentalists Scale Trees to Block Keystone Construction, Survivor of 1982 Massacre in Guatemala Wins Asylum in U.S., EU Approves Extradition of Muslim Cleric to U.S., World Leaders Convene for U.N. General Assembly, Dozens Stage Rare Protest in Saudi Arabia, Anti-Islam Ads Posted in NYC Subways, New Evidence Emerges in Pennsylvania Death Row Case

Headlines for September 25, 2012; “Harvest of Empire”: New Film Recounts How U.S. Intervention Caused Mass Latin American Migrations

Amidst a U.S. election campaign that has seen the issue of women’s rights at the forefront, the playwright and activist Eve Ensler is launching a global strike to end violence against women. “One Billion Rising” calls on women “and the men who love them” to join together on Feb. 14, 2013, and “dance until the violence stops.” Ensler is the award-winning playwright and creator of “The Vagina Monologues,” and her latest play, “Emotional Creature,” opens in New York City in November. [includes rush transcript]