Jean Parker, blind American journalist, discusses her role as a radio journalist in India, for NPR, CBC, BBC, and other radio networks, in a speech given at the American Council of the Blind convention in 2008.

Portland may be a green city, but some of its school children are breathing air more like the polluted skies of Cleveland. A recent USA Today study found six of our city's schools in northwest and north/northeast Portland among the worst in the nation for exposing children to airborn toxins. Benzine, a carcinogen found in gasoline, exceeds DEQ safety standards by 26 percent. Frustrated with lack of action by state regulators, parents of children in some of the mot impacted schools are organizing the community.

In what will surely one day be known as a case study in the downfall of our Republic, the Congress and -- presumably -- the President are poised to enact health care 'reform' legislation that won't allow us to opt into a Medicare-style single-payer plan. In related news, the for-profit health care industry has spent about $1.5 million per day on Capitol Hill over the past several weeks to make sure that we never have that option.

The score? Plutocrats 587, People 0.

Goudarz Eghtedari reports on upcoming elections in Afghanistan, his guests are Amin Wahab and Ahmad Qayoumi, both Portlanders from Afghani descent.
 

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