Rebiya Kadeer is the head of the World Uighur Congress.

She’s emerging as a sort of Dalai Lama for the Uighurs, an exiled spokesperson who draws the ire of the Chinese government.

They blamed her for instigating the riots in Urumqi earlier this month, and now they’re condemning Japan for allowing her to visit.

She plans to speak to journalists there and give a lecture this week.

Is China nursing an ugly grudge, or are their concerns legitimate?

Stefan CAMP spoke with Nury Turkel, an attorney and the former president of the Uighur American Association.

Here’s what he had to say.

This edition of the Old Mole is hosted by Tom Becker (pictured here), and its topics include the global politics of climate change, the history and role of Bitch Magazine, the right to be irate when being arrested, healthcare workers' fight for their own union, and a set of short stories about women, men, and cats.

Do we or don't we have the right to talk back--even to be irate--to an officer of the law?  Bill Resnick comments on this un-remarked issue in the case of  Henry Louis  Gates's arrest in his own home in Cambridge.  

Tom Becker (pictured here) is our host as we hear about the history of gangs, the movie version of John Dillinger (Public Enemies), the political agitation that founded the US of A,  and the power grab built into the House-passed energy bill.  Tom also plays selections from Bob Dylan's new blues album as a follow-up on the KBOO-sponsored Portland Blues Festival.  

To hear the whole show, use the play button above.  To hear individual pieces, follow the links below.

1930s era gangster John Dillinger (pictured here) is played by Johnny Depp in the new film Public Enemies.  Movie Moles Jan Haaken and Frann Michel give us their nuanced review of the political and moral issues this blockbuster raises.  

 The origins and development of gangs is more complex than the stereotypes of them.  John Hagedorn has studied and hung out with gangs all over the world and written several books about them.  Here he talks with the Old Mole's Bill Resnick about why there are gangs and how they sometimes morph into very different forms.  Hagedorn's work with gangs can be seen on his website GangResearch.net where you can find links to YouTube videos, podcasts, and Hagedorn's writings.