This is America, with Jon Elliott Blog

THIS IS AMERICA FRIDAY

Scott Egelberg — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:25:51 -0400

Tonight on This Is America with Jon Elli...err...Peter B. Collins...

Peter's guests will include Robert Scheer talking about his new book, Pornography of Power.

Also joining us is Randy Udall, former director of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE). He is one of the nation’s leading activists in promoting energy sustainability. He will be on to discuss gas prices and oil prices,

And filmmaker David Novack will be on to discuss his new film, The Future of Coal.

So tune in to hear all of these great guests and if you like what you hear, call in and talk with them at 866-303-2270. And make sure to listen to this jam packed edition of This Is America without Jon Elliott!

THIS IS AMERICA WEDNESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:33:36 -0400

Tonight on the June 25 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be author Susan Mulcahy. She will be on to discuss her new book, Why I'm A Democrat, which features essays from the likes of Nora Ephron, Frank McCourt, Irma Thomas, Dominick Dunne, Isaac Mizrahi, Tama Janowitz, Melissa Etheridge, Roz Chast, Craig Lesley, Jonathan Franzen, Frans de Waal, Maira Kalman, James Brady, Olympia Vernon, Paul Weitz, William Wegman, Seymour Chwast, James Naughton, Min Jin Lee and many others, including farmers, scientists, CEOs, union workers, former Republicans, and a Philly cheesesteak maker....and of course our own Jon Elliott. Tune in to hear about this great book!

Also Jon will be continuing to read the e-mails sent to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) by Americans concerning the shrinking economy. And of course Jon will be taking your calls at 866-303-2270. So make sure to tune in to tonight's jam packed edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA TUESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:34:07 -0400

Tonight on the June 24 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

Christine Pelosi will be on for her weekly segment to discuss the latest in the Democratic Party and the general election.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA MONDAY

Scott Egelberg — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:15:20 -0400

Tonight on the June 23 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be Newsweek's Deputy Washington Bureau Chief Dan Ephron. Ephron will be on to discuss his latest article, ‘He Should Never Have Gone to Iraq’: More borderline troops are being sent to the front, sometimes with tragic results. The article focuses on the case of Pvt. David Dietrich, a soldier with a history of cognitive problems who was sent to Iraq and killed by sniper. In Iraq, it’s unclear whether his cognitive issues had something to do with his death. Yet his superiors had serious misgivings about the troubled soldier. According to records made available to Newsweek, the attrition rate for GIs with health, performance or conduct problems in their first months of army service has dropped by as much as 45 percent since 2004. In other words, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan strain the Army more and more, fewer problem soldiers are getting weeded out in basic training, Ephron reports.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA MONDAY

Scott Egelberg — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:51:53 -0400

Tonight on the June 16 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be Newsweek's Senior White House Correspondent Richard Wolffe. Ephron will be on to discuss his latest article, Everywhere and Beyond: Will Obama win Wyoming? Don't be silly. Still, Paul Tewes's job is to make McCain defend his turf. Wolffe reports on Paul Tewes, who led Barack Obama’s winning campaign in Iowa and is now head of the Democratic Party’s massive national field operation to elect Obama. In the coming weeks, he will lead the effort to put the national party under the Obama campaign’s control. The idea is to re-create the kind of success he had in Iowa, but on a much larger scale.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA FRIDAY

Scott Egelberg — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:41:50 -0400

Tonight on the June 13 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

Jon remembers a great journalist Tim Russert who died today at the age of 58.

It is Call In Friday and thus, Jon's guest will be you, his loyal listeners (or in this case, blog readers). Jon will be talking to all of you about the week's events at 866-303-2270. Also Jon will be presenting his weekly listener forum.

In addition to taking calls from you, his loyal listeners of the show, Jon will continue to read the e-mails sent to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) by Americans concerning the shrinking economy.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA WEDNESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:20:14 -0400

Tonight on the June 11 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

Jon welcomes congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) onto the show. He will be discussing his reading of the 35 articles of impeachment against George W. Bush.

Also, Jon welcomes author Kerwin Swint to the program. He will be discussing his new book about Roger Ailes. The book is titled Dark Genius: The Influential Career of Legendary Political Operative and Fox News Founder, Roger Ailes.

Also joining Jon will be Newsweek's Dan Ephron. He will be discussing his series of articles on the Guantanamo military tribunals.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA TUESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:46:15 -0400

Tonight on the June 3 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

Superdelegate Christine Pelosi will be on for her weekly segment to discuss Barack Obama's presumptive nomination tonight and why she endorsed him.

Also Congressman Bill Filner will be on to discuss his endorsement of Barack Obama.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA FRIDAY

Scott Egelberg — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:25:01 -0400

Tonight on the May 30 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott

Jon's guest will be Marge Cohn, President of the National Lawyers Guild. She will be on to discuss the latest in the Presidential race.

Also joining Jon will be attorney Allen Bloom, who will discuss the latest with his client, Cynthia Summer. Cynthia, who was once convicted of killing her Marine husband with arsenic, was cleared after new tests showed no traces of any poison. Todd Sommer was not murdered, yet his widow spent 869 days in jail for a crime that never happened. There was another hearing today in this trial and Bloom will update us.

The fabulous Friday Forum joins us. And Jon will be taking your calls at 866-303-2270 as it is Call-In Friday. So make sure to tune in to tonight's jam packed edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA WEDNESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:38:13 -0400

Tonight on the May 28 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon has returned from his longer than normal holiday weekend. Jon's guest will be Christine Pelosi who will be discussing the different scenarios for Michigan and Florida to be seated.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA TUESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:46:39 -0400

Tonight on This Is America with Jon Elli...err...Peter B. Collins...

Jon E. is still on vacation, apparently Memorial Day is a two day holiday in the Elliott household. Thankfully, Peter B. only spends one day off for Memorial Day, so he will be stepping in.

Peter's first guest will be Dr. Alan Rabinowitz. They will be discussing Myanmar. Also check out Dr. Rabinowitz' website here.

Following Rabinowitz will be Cliff Schecter, author of the book, The Real McCain. Cliff will be discussing the latest in McCain's campaign, and not the stuff Senator McWar wants you to hear.

The stream of guests continue as Craig Aaron of freepress.com.

Guests Galore! Ari Melber and Robert Dreyfuss of The Nation will be joining Peter B. Collins.

Investigative Reporter Jason Leopold will be on tonight, as will Director of Communications for Amazon Watch and journalist Simeon Tegel.

THIS IS AMERICA FRIDAY

Scott Egelberg — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:42:02 -0400

Tonight on the May 23 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

In addition to taking calls from you, his loyal listeners of the show, Jon will continue to read the e-mails sent to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) by Americans concerning the shrinking economy.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA THURSDAY

Scott Egelberg — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:45:03 -0400

Tonight on the May 22 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be OpEdNews's Rob Kall. Rob will be discussing the latest in the political world including why he thinks President George W. Bush should be impeached.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA WEDNESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:02:07 -0400

Tonight on the May 21 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be Harlan Ullman, the developer of the Doctrine of Shock and Awe. He will be discussing the latest foreign affairs of the United States.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

Ted Kennedy

Jon Elliott — Wed, 21 May 2008 13:14:45 -0400

We all heard some very grim news yesterday when we heard Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. We are told he will require chemotherapy & radiation. No prognostication has been made as it’s obviously early in the diagnosis. We’ve not heard if it’s in-operable…or if it’s operable – will they operate…there’s a choice to be made if that’s the case. The liberal lion has been larger than life in America as he has devoted his life to America and for America.

I have a personal memory that I’d like to share with you. The first was back in June 2000 when my wife, Kathy, and I were in Washington we managed to get seats in the senate chamber. We witnessed Ted Kennedy in his full-throated best railing against injustice and vowing to fight for the little guy…for the common man. It was extraordinary to witness in person what we’d seen so many times on television. He went on without notes for 15-20 minutes, he was passionate, he was eloquent. We were both spellbound. I’d love to tell you the entire senate was gripped in rapt attention as he spoke, but the truth is, there wasn’t anybody there. He was speaking to an empty chamber. There were just a few pages and senate aides bustling about scampering back & forth and ignoring the spectacle that was occurring right in front of them. But he was speaking to me, and he was speaking to Kathy, and he was speaking to you and to all Americans because he knew his speech was being played live in every senate office and throughout the country on C-Span. He had a point to make, a cause to defend, people to look out for, and he was doing it as he always did, with knowledge, with meaning, with truth, with eloquence and with passion.

THIS IS AMERICA TUESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:55:32 -0400

Tonight on the May 20 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be George Mitrovich, President of the City Club of San Diego. He will be on to discuss his close friend, Senator Ted Kennedy, who was diagnosed today with brain cancer.

Also joining Jon will be Tom Goldstein who will be discussing his latest book, Journalism and Truth: Strange Bedfellows.

And of course Christine Pelosi will be on for her weekly segment as she discusses tonight's Kentucky and Oregon primaries.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

Cynthia Sommer Part 2

Scott Egelberg — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:12:56 -0400

This past week on This Is America, with Jon Elliott, Jon had a guest named Cynthia Sommer on his show. Cynthia had a remarkable story to tell. She had been previously incarcerated after being found guilty of murdering her husband, former marine, Sgt. Todd Sommer. She would serve 869 days in jail.

Upon hearing this story on television, attorney Allen Bloom sought to help Cynthia prove her innocence. He publicly stated that he felt the case was mishandled, even appearing on this show to do so. He fought the conviction and eventually won and thus, Cynthia Sommer, widow and mother of four, was sprung from jail.

Listen to part 2 as Cynthia discusses the toll that this whole ordeal took on her family.

THIS IS AMERICA MONDAY

Scott Egelberg — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:35:46 -0400

Tonight on the May 19 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be Newsweek's Deputy Washington Bureau Chief Dan Ephron. Ephron will be on to discuss his latest article, Gitmo Grievances: Assigned to try detainees in the War on Terror, three former Guantánamo prosecutors now say the military-commission system is badly damaged. The article focuses on several military prosecutors who have left their posts at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base because they believe the tribunal process there is deeply flawed. None of these men is a bleeding-heart type; they are spit-and-polish career officers. But in the past four years, at least five of them have quit their jobs or walked away from Gitmo cases because they believed their own integrity was being compromised. In interviews with Newsweek, three former prosecutors voiced concerns about issues ranging from the use of tainted evidence or secret trials to improper micromanaging by political appointees.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

Cynthia Sommer Part 1

Scott Egelberg — Sat, 17 May 2008 21:40:47 -0400

Listen as this unbelievable story unfolds with this multi-part segment on This Is America, with Jon Elliott.

THIS IS AMERICA THURSDAY

Scott Egelberg — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:34:06 -0400

Tonight on the May 15 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon will have a plethora of guests. First will be Eric Issacson, one of the lawyers who represented numerous religious organizations during today's hearing in California regarding gay marriage. Listen as he discusses today's big victory for gay rights.

Also joining Jon will be attorney Allen Bloom and his client Cynthia Summer. Cynthia, who was once convicted of killing her Marine husband with arsenic, was cleared Thursday after new tests showed no traces of any poison. Todd Sommer was not murdered, yet his widow spent 869 days in jail for a crime that never happened. Listen as this remarkable story is told.

Suzie Turnbull will also be joining Jon to discuss the remarks by President George W. Bush at today's event in Israel.

And finally Jon will be continuing his series called "The Candidate." In this series, Jon follows the campaign of Nick Leibham, Democratic Candidate for Congress CA 51st District. Listen as Nick discusses how his campaign is moving along.

All this, plus Jon will be taking your calls at 866-303-2270. So make sure to tune in to tonight's jam packed edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

Our Ever Generous President

Jon Elliott — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:33:32 -0400

First there was the overly generous reaction of the bush white house where he offered Myanmar a lofty $250,000 for aid after that cyclone killed over 100,000 people….when the outrage rained down upon him he upped it to – a cool $3 million. Ooooohhhh. So, just to let you know that they are serial stooges in the Bush administration…after the 7.9 earthquake hit China and caused extraordinary damage, death and destruction…just in case you thought they learned their lesson on Myanmar. Well, they didn't. Guess how much they offered in aid to china to help the victims of the huge earthquake. $500,000. Whoa! Big time! A cool half a mil!! They spend $12 billion a month in their godforsaken disaster in the desert and they turn around and offer the Chinese 20 minutes of money. They're disgraceful, and in offering such an insulting and paltry amount, they insult all Americans.

THIS IS AMERICA WEDNESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:52:05 -0400

Tonight on the May 14 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be Andrea Batista Schlesinger from the Drum Major Institute.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA TUESDAY

Scott Egelberg — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:41:43 -0400

Tonight on the May 13 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be Charlie Savage, author of the book Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy.

The book explores Vice President Dick Cheney's role in the George W. Bush administration.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA MONDAY

Scott Egelberg — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:45:20 -0400

Tonight on the May 12 edition of This Is America, with Jon Elliott...

Jon's guest will be author and journalist Alex Abella. He will be on to promote his latest book, Soldiers of Reason. This book discusses the impact that the RAND Corporation has had on the American government in the past half century. Make sure to tune in to hear this fascinating story.

In addition to Alex, Jon will have his weekly segment with a writer from Newsweek. Make sure to listen as they discuss another article from this very influential magazine.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.

THIS IS AMERICA FRIDAY

Scott Egelberg — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:56:21 -0400

Tonight on the May 9 edition of This Is America with Jon Elliott...

Also joining Jon will be John Eskow, a blogger from the Huffington Post. He will be discussing his latest blog, Flawed Messengers and Wooden Soldiers: Why Obama Beat Clinton -- and Why He'll Beat McCain, Too. Make sure to tune in to listen to Eskow's expert analysis.

In addition to Eskow and the loyal listeners of the show, Jon will continue to read the e-mails sent to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) by Americans concerning the shrinking economy.

You may also dial in and hear the show through Cellecast at 206-400-2860.