Video: War in Iraq Bill Moyers' NOW 03-28-03
1:03:00	Arab perspectives on the bombing in Baghdad.Bill Moyers interviewed Dr. Shafeeq Ghabra, President of American University in Kuwait. SQ: Imagine "shock and awe" of Washington, D. C. SQ: The Arab media gives more space to the Iraqi point of view than the U. S. point of view. It is important to treat Iraq with dignity and have a Marshall plan for Iraq. BM: Iraq has a ruthless past. Should the U. S. give amnesty to members of the Bath Party? SQ: Yes, but there must be an exception for Sadam Huessein. He and his associates must be tried for crimes. BM: Why aren't intellectuals in the Arab world speaking up? SQ: Lack of trust. There is a fear that much of U. S. corporations will come in and exploit Iraq. BM: Can democracy take hold in the Middle East? SQ: Yes. Large Arab states are under pressure from the young, professionals and business leaders for democracy. This is a region that is in serious need of investment. Dr. Ghabra's fear is that we cold have a worse situation in Iraq. There could be continued violence in Iraq month after month and continued violence in Palestine. There is a fear of stagnation in the Arab world. It is very easy for a power like the United States to be tempted by unilateralism. Humility is important in world politics. The bombing of Baghdad is met with fear and anger. See NOW Transcript for more.
1:17:00	Guns or butter? Bill Moyers interviewed David Broder of the Washington Post. It is unprecedented to have budget cuts when we are at war. There are massive budget cuts in health care, services for the disabled, etc. and high unemployment. People are being "kicked out" of assisted-living housing. Inmates are being released from jail. Teachers, parents, and students are marching against budget cuts. Forty-three states have budget deficits and states are receiving less from the federal government. Local governments are experiencing the added costs for the war on terrorism to protect shipping, bridges, etc. Portland City Commissioner Serena Cruise was interviewed. She was the first Mexican-American commissioner in the United States. Detroit has closed 16 public schools. The President is determined to cut taxes, $700,000,000,000 in reduced taxes. It is those with the highest income that will receive the most tax relief. At the same time benefits for veterans and others are being cut. Today's children will inherit a large debt. Never before have we passed tax cuts for the wealthy when we are embarking on a war. In fact, a campaign to get the tax cuts has been initiated by corporations. They are sending letters to stockholders urging them to write and call their members of congress urging support for tax cuts. NOW interviewed one stockholder who said she would rather her local library open on Fridays and her mother continue to receive prescription drug benefits than receive her own dividend tax cut. An ethical question is raised by these corporate letters. The letters do not present a balanced view of the effects of the proposed tax cuts. A number of corporations have private reservations about the proposed tax cuts, but are afraid of opposing them. If you need the executive branch to assist with regulatory adjustments, then you had better support the President's tax cuts. That is the way it is working. For more choose Guns or Butter.
1:39:00	Defense Policy Board. Bill Moyers interviewed Chuck Lewis from The Center for Public Interest. The Defense Policy Board is a group of voluntary advisors to the Secretary of Defense. The interview revealed companies profiting from war and the rebuilding of Iraq. Board members are protected from public scrutiny by having their mandated financial disclosure reports classified. Most of the Board members have huge outside financial interests which allow them to profit from war. Historically, a lot of people get rich from war. President Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex. This is about the mercenary culture in Washington, D. C. Ethical guidelines and transparencies are needed. Instead Vice President has been given authority to classify all federal documents.