Host: Basima Farhat

Showtime: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - 8:00pm-9:00pm Eastern
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Simon Shaheen dazzles his listeners as he deftly leaps from traditional Arabic sounds to jazz and Western classical styles. His soaring technique, melodic ingenuity, and unparalleled grace have earned him international acclaim as a virtuoso on the ‘oud and violin.

Shaheen is one of the most significant Arab musicians, performers, and composers of his generation. His work incorporates and reflects a legacy of Arabic music, while it forges ahead to new frontiers, embracing many different styles in the process. This unique contribution to the world of arts was recognized in 1994 when Shaheen was honored with the prestigious National Heritage Award at the White House.

In the 1990s he released four albums of his own: Saltanah (Water Lily Acoustics), Turath (CMP), Taqasim (Lyrichord), and Simon Shaheen: The Music of Mohamed Abdel Wahab (Axiom), while also contributing cuts to producer Bill Laswell’s fusion collective, Hallucination Engine (Island). He has contributed selections to soundtracks for The Sheltering Sky and Malcolm X , among others, and has composed the entire soundtrack for the United Nations-sponsored documentary, For Everyone Everywhere. Broadcast globally in December 1998, this film celebrated the 50 th anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Charter.

But perhaps his greatest success has come with Blue Flame (ARK21, 2001), where he leads his group, Qantara, on a labyrinthian journey through the world of fusion music to discover the heart of the Middle East. The album has been nominated for eleven Grammy Awards, and the band’s performances have been called “glorious.”

A Palestinian, born in the village of Tarshiha in the Galilee, Shaheen’s childhood was steeped in music. His father, Hikmat Shaheen, was a professor of music and a master ‘oud player. “Learning to play on the ‘oud from my father was the most powerful influence in my musical life,” Shaheen recalls. He began playing on the ‘oud at the age of five, and a year later studying violin at the Conservatory for Western Classical Music in Jerusalem. “When I held and played these instruments, they felt like an extension of my arms.”

After graduating from the Academy of Music in Jerusalem in 1978, Shaheen was appointed its instructor of Arab music, performance, and theory. Two years later he moved to New York City to complete his graduate studies in performance at the Manhattan School of Music, and later in performance and music education at Columbia University.

In 1982, Shaheen formed the Near Eastern Music Ensemble in New York, establishing a group that would perform the highest standard of traditional Arab music. This time also marked the beginning of Shaheen’s workshops and lecture/demonstrations in schools, colleges, and universities to educate the younger generation. As a champion and guardian of Arab music, Shaheen still devotes almost fifty percent of his time to working with schools and universities, including Julliard, Columbia, Princeton, Brown, Harvard, Yale, University of California in San Diego, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and many others.

His concert credits are a veritable compendium of the world’s greatest venues: Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Cairo’s Opera House, Theatre de la Ville in Beirut, and Belgium’s Le Palais des Arts. In May of 2004, Shaheen appeared at Quincy Jones’ “We Are The Future,” fundraising concert in Rome in front of a half million strong crowd.

As a composer, Shaheen has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, Meet the Composer, the Jerome Foundation, Continental Harmony, and Yellow Springs Institute. In addition to his recorded work, his theatrical repertoire includes Majnun Layla, (performances included the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and The Museum of Natural History in New York), The Book and the Stranger (from Kalilah Wa-Dimanah), Possible City, and Collateral Damage with actress Vanessa Redgrave. He has also written the music for the documentary of the British Museum’s Egyptian collection, which has toured U.S. museums.

Since 1994, Shaheen has produced the Annual Arab Festival of Arts, called “Mahrajan al-Fan.” Held in New York, the festival showcases the work of the finest Arab artists, while presenting the scope, depth and quality of Arab culture. To continue this exposure to Arab music and culture, Shaheen founded the Annual Arabic Music Retreat in 1997. Held each summer at Mount Holyoke College, this weeklong intensive program of Arabic music studies draws participants from the U.S. and abroad.

For the past six years, though, Shaheen has focused much of his energies on Qantara . The band, whose name means arch in Arabic, brings to life Shaheen’s vision for the unbridled fusion of Arab, jazz, Western classical, and Latin American music, a perfect alchemy for music to transcend the boundaries of genre and geography.

“I want to create a world music exceptionally satisfying to the ear and for the soul,” says Shaheen, “This is why I selected members for Qantara who are all virtuosos in their own musical forms, and whose expertise and knowledge can raise the music and the group’s performance to spectacular levels.”

Qantara made their first live recording debut on Mondo Melodia/ARK21’s “Historic Live Recording of the Two Tenors & Qantara ,” featuring tenors Wadi al-Safi and Sabah Fahkri. The disc featured two instrumental cuts by Shaheen and Qantara, which, only begins to show the band’s range and capabilities .”

Shaheen and Qantara made their full recording debut with Blue Flame, . Compositions of “Al-Qantara” and “Dance Mediterranea” sparkle like jewels, while the opening track, Blue Flame, is a bravura exhibition of Shaheen’s — and the band’s — virtuosity. The Los Angeles Times proclaimed the record “stunning,” National Public Radio called it “a staggering tour-de-force of technique and passion,” CMJ called it “a new benchmark in Arab-Western fusion,” and the Washington Post termed it “eminently cosmopolitan.”

The band has toured during 2003 and 2004, playing concerts and festivals like WOMAD USA, WOMAD Sicily, the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival. Traveling throughout Europe and the Middle East, Qantara’s appearances have included: Beiteddine Festival in Lebanon; Les Mediterranean in France; New York’s Central Park Summer Stage; Stern Grove International Festival in San Francisco; Chicago World Music Festival; Royce Hall in Los Angeles; University Musical Society in Ann Arbor; Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis; International Souk Ukaz at the historic citadel in Amman, Jordan; and Yabous Festival in the historical Tombs of Kings in East Jerusalem amongst others . In Palestine, Shaheen conducts an annual weeklong music workshop designed for gifted children.

In addition to performing with his two bands, Qantara and the Near Eastern Music Ensemble, Shaheen tours as a solo artist internationally and as a lecturer throughout the academic world promoting awareness to Arab music through numerous lecture and workshop presentations.

Moe Rock
At 15 years old in Iowa, Moe Rock was very impressed by the visit of Iranian Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi to his school. Shirin Ebadi was the first Iranian and Woman ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It’s something he never forgot. In fact, meeting Shirin Ebadi is something that affected Moe deeply and still does.

Perhaps it is quite appropriate then, 4 years later, that Moe’s song “Ah-Low” has been downloaded over half a million times directly from Iran and has become an anthem of protest.

Moe has had mentors along the way like Rich Cronin (LFO and recently the reality tv show on VH1 ‘Mission: Man Band’).

Humility, patience, and persistence are the traits that define new R&B artist Moe Rock. At the tender, young age of 19, Moe possesses impressive maturity with a new and unique writing style. “I’ve had offers on the table that most musicians dream of, but I wasn’t gona sign away my soul or sell out. I’d rather go hungry than be a millionaire who has to fake his music.” Indeed, Moe Rock has turned down record deals to maintain total creative control over his upcoming album. He believes that singers should write their own songs from the heart, and he will never compromise his principles.

The first generation son of immigrants who escaped the deadly streets of Iran during the war, Moe began writing music for himself and other artists four years ago at the age of 15. He is now one of southern California’s fastest spreading and most talked about young artists. Because Moe understands his humble beginings, 10% of his sales go to help orphans who lost their parents to war in the Middle East.

Moe has recently started a campaign asking all entertainers and musicians to wear a green wristband supporting Democracy in Iran.

Host: Basima Farhat

Showtime: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 8:00pm-9:00pm Eastern
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Dale and Dar Emme founded the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program International in 1994 after losing their youngest son, Michael, age 17 to suicide. The Yellow Ribbon Program is being used throughout the world as a simple, effective tool to save lives. Speaking throughout the US, Canada and Australia, the Emmes’ are helping raise awareness about the epidemic levels of youth suicide and are bringing focus, action, intervention, postvention and coalition building to suicide prevention efforts in many communities. Together they have written and published the story “I’ll Always Be With You” which appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul book. They are currently working on a manuscript, “Legacy of the Yellow Mustang” about their travels throughout the world, work with youth who have attempted suicide, and families who have lost loved ones to suicide. Dale and Dar were appointed to the Colorado Governor’s Suicide Prevention Advisory Commission in 1998 and founding members of the National Council for Suicide Prevention.

ABOUT Yellow Ribbon Program…

The Yellow Ribbon program was founded in 1994 by the parents of a bright, funny, loving teen, Mike Emme, who took his life when he did not know the words to say, or how to let someone know he was in trouble and needed help.

“Don’t blame yourselves, Mom and Dad, I love you.” It was signed, “Love Mike 11:45pm”. In a move that totally stunned all who know him, Mike died-by-suicide at a time of his deepest despair. At 11:52pm his parents pulled into the driveway behind that bright yellow Mustang, - seven minutes too late!

The legacy started when Mike rescued a 1968 Ford Mustang from a field where it had sat neglected. He bought it, rebuilt it (as he had others) and painted it bright yellow. As Mike and his mustang became more and more known for his mechanical ability and for helping other teens and friends - giving them rides to and from school and work he became known as “Mustang Mike”.

Streams of stories began emerging of the help Mike had given to people. A young mother’s car had broken down late one night, leaving her and her two small children stranded on a dark road. Mike stopped and showed her his driver’s license to assure her he would not harm them, got her car started, then accompanied them home to ensure they arrived safely.

A classmate told of how Mike had canceled his order for a new transmission and bought two used ones from the salvage yard instead so that his classmate could get his car running too.

As the teens gathered to comfort the family, and each other, they discussed the tragedy of losing Mike. Mike’s mom talked with the teens about creating mementos that others could have to remember him with, and she decided that yellow would be used in honor of the cherished yellow mustang. In response to teens asking what can we do?, - she told them, ‘don’t do this, don’t attempt suicide’. ‘If you are ever at this point of despair., please ask for help’! Kids took notes! Cards were made with the message to reach out for help, that It’s OK to Ask4Help!

On the night before Mike’s memorial services, his friends shared their grief and their tears as they pinned ribbons on the cards. Five hundred ribbon cards were placed in a basket and set out at his services. All the ribbon cards were gone at the end of the services!

Three weeks - just three weeks! - after Mike’s services, a phone call came from a teacher in Wyoming. A student had given her one of those bright yellow messages of hope when the student was at a time of her own need. The teacher called becuase she wanted to get help for teens in her area. (She didn’t know if had been such a short time since this had started.) Other calls began to come in from throughout the U.S. - teens were sending those cards to everyone! Teens also began to call and write, asking for ‘those yellow ribbon cards’, ‘I want to give them to my best friend in case he/she would ever be in trouble and need help’. The ripple effect had begun!

The ribbon became the symbol of the program when the teens began tying them their hair and pinning to their clothes on the day Mike died. Yellow was in memory of his cherished ‘68 Yellow Mustang.

The HEART in the middle of the ribbon is the symbol of the survivors. Our hearts go on & our voices will speak for those who cannot.

Host: Basima Farhat

Showtime: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 8:00pm-9:00pm Eastern
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Barnet Meltzer, M.D., is a pioneer and well-known expert in the field of Preventive Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Clinical Nutrition. Dr. Meltzer owns the distinction of being the first medical doctor to enter the field of Preventive Medicine in Southern California, and is a board certified physician and surgeon with over 30 years of clinical experience as a practicing primary care physician. As the founder and Director of the Meltzer Wellness Institute (MWI), Dr. Meltzer is a leading authority in health, wellness, and metabolic nutrition. He has a well-deserved reputation as Southern California’s #1 Wellness, Weight Loss, and Energy Coach.

Dr. Meltzer’s credentials include graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (the first Ivy League medical school). Upon graduating from medical school, Dr. Meltzer completed his internship at UCLA and served two years of surgical residency at the University of California Medical Center in San Diego (UCSD).

Since opening his medical clinic in 1972, Dr. Meltzer has developed an international following with people from all over the world seeking his consultation. His signature wellness programs go beyond the integration of Eastern and Western medicine, and draw on the most effective dimensions of health, wellness, and healing techniques from around the world—including Europe, South America, India, China, and the United States. These programs are designed to empower his patients with tools and strategies to promote a lifetime of wellness, vitality, happiness, and preventing disease. By incorporating the healing arts of the North, South, and East with scientific principles of modern Western medicine, Dr. Meltzer offers a dynamic blend that gives him an unparalleled edge in nutrition and health. This, coupled with extensive clinical experience—overseeing more than 60,000 patients in his career—has put Dr. Meltzer at the forefront of Preventive and Integrative Medicine.

Dr. Meltzer expanded on his eclectic approach to health and wellness when he was granted a scientific visa from the Colombian government in 1975. During this fact-finding expedition, he was able to study the lifestyle and living habits of remote villages in the Andes. It was here that he refined his expertise and philosophy on healthy lifestyles and preventing disease. Upon returning to California, Dr. Meltzer created a step-by-step nutritional detoxification program, which to this day remains a cornerstone to his wellness programs.

As the 21st century begins, we are all looking for effective alternatives to costly health care and the overwhelming physical concerns that face our aging nation. Dr. Meltzer believes “the least costly illness is the one that never occurs.” As a leading author, professor, and motivational speaker, he has created a variety of pioneering wellness programs that promote permanent weight loss, optimal health, anti-aging, and increased energy and vitality—keeping Dr. Meltzer at the leading edge of innovation in the field of health and wellness.

Dr. Meltzer has recently published The Best Kept Secret to Permanent Weight Loss, an in-depth book that incorporates much of his knowledge that he has acquired over the past 40 years.

Host: Basima Farhat

Showtime: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 8:00pm-9:00pm Eastern
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ABOUT Travesty In Haiti: TRAVESTY is an anthropologist’s personal story of working with foreign aid agencies and discovering that fraud, greed, corruption, apathy, and political agendas permeate the industry.

It is a story of failed agricultural, health and credit projects; violent struggles for control over foreign aid; corrupt orphanage owners, pastors, and missionaries; the nepotistic manipulation of research funds; economically counterproductive food aid distribution programs that undermine the Haitian agricultural economy; disastrous social engineering by foreign governments, international financial and development organizations–such as the World Bank and USAID– and the multinational corporate charities that have sprung up in their service, CARE International, Catholic Relief Services, World Vision, and the dozens of other massive charities that have programs spread across the globe, moving in response not only to disasters and need, but political agendas and economic opportunity.

TRAVESTY also chronicles the lives of Haitians and describes how political disillusionment sometimes ignites explosive mob rage among peasants frustrated with the foreign aid organizations, governments and international agencies that fund them. TRAVESTY recounts how some Haitians use whatever means possible try to better their living standards, most recently drug trafficking, and in doing so explains why at the service of international narcotraffickers and Haitian money laundering elites, Haiti has become a failed State. TRAVESTY reads like a novel. It takes the reader from the bowels of foreign aid in the field; to the posh and orderly urban headquarters of charities such as CARE International; to the cold, distant heights of Capitol Hill policy planners.

The journey is marked by true accounts involving violence, corruption, appalling greed, sexual exploitation, disastrous social engineering, and the inside world of drug traffickers. But TRAVESTY it is not a novel. It is founded on 15 years of academic and field experience, research, and hard data. It entertains the reader with vivid first hand accounts while treating seriously the problems inherent not only in international aid, but the sabotaging effects of the drug war on economic development in remote and impoverished areas of the hemisphere.

About the Author:

Timothy T Schwartz earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Florida and then went to live and work in Haiti for six years. His research included 15 months living with impoverished Haitians in the thatch-roofed huts of a remote fishing hamlet and three years residing in agricultural settlements and villages. He worked as a consultant for international aid agencies, including the German foreign ministry (GTZ), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), French ID (Initiative Developpment), and CARE International, the world’s largest international charity. Since leaving Haiti he has been living in the neighboring Dominican Republic where he works as an international consultant specializing in Haitian-Dominican relations and coordinates social impact assessments for private companies. His studies have been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Curtis Wilgus Foundation and the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Recent publications include the Haiti entry for an encyclopedia of world cultures, Countries and Their Cultures (Macmillan Reference USA: Yale University), an article in the refereed Journal for Research in Economic Anthropology entitled Pronatalism and the Economic Utility of Children in Jean Rabel, Haiti, and an article published in the Caribbean’s oldest and most prestigious journal, New West Indian Guide, entitled Subsistence Songs: Haitian ‘téat’ performances, gendered capital and livelihood strategies in Jean Makout, Haiti.

To purchase Travesty in Haiti:

http://www.booksurge.com/Travesty-in-Haiti-A-true-account/A/1419698036.htm

Host: Basima Farhat

Showtime: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 - 8:00pm-9:00pm Eastern
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Barbara Kasoff
Barbara Kasoff is the President and CEO, and Co-Founder, of Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc., a non-profit, bi-partisan public policy advocacy organization with over half a million members including 49 business organization, educating and advocating on economic issues for women in business.

Other companies that she has owned and managed, are Voice-Tel of Michigan, the fourth largest voice messaging company in the United States, Voice-Tel of Central Michigan, and Voice Response Corporation, a telemarketing and database marketing company. Barbara also opened and developed Voice-Tel of Australia, a company with 11 offices throughout Australia and New Zealand for the Voice-Tel franchisor. With her experience, Barbara has been able to incorporate her skills in management, her strengths in communications, and her considerable energies in powering her fledgling companies to secure a solid foothold in the rapidly expanding world of communications. Prior to becoming a business owner, Barbara previously served as Vice President of Customer Service and Senior Vice President of Research and Software Development for World Computer Corporation in Michigan for ten years where her team designed and installed new financial services software for credit unions. Altogether, she has been a business owner and corporate executive for 20 years, and has successfully sold 3 of her four companies.

For many years, Barbara has been an active supporter for small businesses, and women and minorities in business in particular. She continues this work both nationally and internationally. She has linked together thousands of small business owners with her voice messaging network, enabling them to communicate directly with one another to improve their businesses, learn of programs, opportunities and appointments in the communities, improve the climate of entrepreneurship, and play a part in public policy making. Her efforts to unite various organizations, has enabled small business owners to share information with each other, learn from one another, and become better informed in economic and political issues. Barbara speaks nationally and internationally on issues concerning leadership and advocacy for business women.

Barbara was named on October 15, 2007 to the National Women’s Business Council. The Federal appointment is for a 3 year term. In addition, Barbara currently serves as Co-Chair of the National Global Trade and Technology Board of Directors, whose mission is to help reverse the long standing trends in balance of trade deficits by making the task of finding, selling and delivering US products and services into global markets as simple as doing business next door. She is also a media resource for the White House Project and has been recently cited as CEO of one of the top 3 most powerful non-profits in Washington, DC.

In addition, Barbara has previously served as President of The National Association of Business Owners in Detroit, Vice President of Public Policy for the national NAWBO organization, SCORE and on various community Boards, including: Detroit Edison Community Relations Board, Forgotten Harvest, International Institute and Majority Business Initiative. Barbara has served on the national Board of Directors of the Women’s Leadership Forum for the Democratic National Committee and served as the Small Business Chair for Kerry for President. She has helped develop new and closer relationships with the US Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Centers, Department of Commerce and local, national and international corporate leaders. She also advises for the Committee for Working Families for Wal*Mart. Barbara has served as a Delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business, was an invited delegate to President Clinton’s Midwest Regional Economic Summit and was the recipient of the State of Michigan Women in Business Advocate of the Year in 1995.

Please visit: www.WIPP.org

Host: Basima Farhat

Showtime: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - 8:00pm-9:00pm Eastern
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Scott Anderson is a Nationally Certified Motorcycle Safety Instructor, Honor graduate of Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, former U.S. MARINE, and member of the motorcycling community for 42 years.

Born the 4th of 5 children to a middle class family in the Detroit suburbs Scott started on 2 wheels at the age of 5. Mini bikes to dirt bikes, dirt bikes to street bikes, not unlike many motorcyclists today. Over time Scott has seen the good, bad, and ugly that motorcycling has to offer. Scott is a recovering cross-addicted alcoholic that has been straight & sober for 23 years. An active member in his community he now teaches people how to, safely, enjoy motorcycling. He’s also very active in his community. Working with The Community Coalition to help young people learn positive alternatives to the life style that once consumed his own life.

Previously Aired On: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - Listen to the Show!
 

Ambassador Clovis Maksoud is presently Professor of International Relations and Director of the Center for the Global South at American University in Washington, DC.

A Lebanese national, Dr. Maksoud was the Chief Representative of the League of Arab States in India from 1961-1966. From 1967-1979, he served as the Senior Editor of Al-Ahram and then Chief Editor of Al-Nahar Weekly. Ambassador Maksoud was appointed as the League of Arab States’ Chief Representative to the United States and the United Nations on September 1, 1979. On August 15, 1990, he submitted his resignation from the League in the aftermath of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.

A lawyer, journalist and diplomat, Dr. Maksoud served as the Arab League Ambassador to India and South-East Asia from 1961-1966. Dr. Maksoud is the author of several articles and books on the Middle East and the global South, among them: “The Meaning of Non-Alignment,” “The Crisis of the Arab Left,” “Reflections on Afro-Asianism,” and “The Arab Image.”

Clovis Maksoud was the Chairperson and Convener of many conferences on environment and development, human rights, population, and disarmament. Born on December 17, 1928, Dr. Maksoud graduated from The American University of Beirut, went on to receive his J.D. from the George Washington University in Washington, DC and did post-graduate studies at Oxford University in Britain.

Host: Basima Farhat

Previously Aired On: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - Listen to the Show!
 

Russell Means has lived a life like few others in this century - revered for his selfless accomplishments and remarkable bravery. He was born into a society and guided by way of life that gently denies the self in order to promote the survival and betterment of family and community. His culture is driven by tradition, which at once links the past to the present.

The L.A. Times has called him the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. His indomitable sense of pride and leadership has become embedded in our national character. Today, his path has brought him to Hollywood, thus enabling him to use different means to communicate his vital truths. Through the power of media, his vision is to create peaceful and positive images celebrating the magic and mystery of his American Indian heritage. In contemplating the fundamental issues about the world in which we live, he is committed to educating all people about our most crucial battle - the preservation of the earth.

Thirty years ago, reflecting the consciousness of the sixties, he captured national attention when he led the 71-day armed takeover on the sacred grounds of Wounded Knee, a tiny hamlet in the heart of South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation. Means joined The Longest Walk in 1978 to protest a new tide of anti-Indian legislation including the forced sterilization of Indian women. Following the walk, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution saying that national policy was to protect the rights of Indians, to believe, express and exercise their traditional religions, including but not limited to access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites.

Today, with the same passionate determination, he has directed his energy towards the entertainment industry. In a record period of time, this famed political activist and early leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM) has become immersed in all five corners of the business, with projects including: Lead roles in major feature films, (The Last of the Mohicans, Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers, as a chief in John Candy’s comedy Wagons East and as the ghost of Jim Thorpe in Wind Runner); Disney’s third highest ever selling video (Pocahantas) in which he was the voice of Pocahontas’ father, a television documentary for HBO (Paha Sapa), (Indian Father and Son) a pilot he created; Two albums of protest music with lyrics he wrote (Electric Warrior and The Radical). On the technological side, he stars in a CD-ROM (Under A Killing Moon) and has created his own website www.russellmeans.com. The website features information regarding the A.I.M. club, his recordings via the American Indian Music Company, his art, book, current events, biography and upcoming appearances and direct e-mail to Russell. Born on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation in 1939, Russell Means is the eldest son of Hank Means, an Oglala Sioux, and Theodora (Feather) Means, a full-blooded Yankton Sioux. Shortly after the outbreak of WWII, his family moved to California, where he graduated from San Leandro High in 1958 and continued his formal education at Oakland City College and Arizona State.

Russell’s commitment to uplift the plight of his people escalated when he served as director of Cleveland’s American Indian Center. It was there he met Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, and embarked upon a relationship that would rocket them both into national prominence. During this period, Russell staged numerous events designed to bring dignity to the American Indian. His most famous act of defiance, however, occurred at Wounded Knee on February 27, 1973. Responding to the numerous murders perpetrated by puppet tribal governments and the extreme conditions of oppression, the takeover at Wounded Knee revisited the sight of the American Indian massacre at the hands of U.S. soldiers in 1890. Ever vigilant for his cause, Russell has been lauded by the international community for his tireless efforts.

Russell splits his time between San Jose, NM, his ranch on the Pine Ridge Sioux Indian reservation, Porcupine, SD and his office in Santa Monica, CA. He takes pride in having instituted programs for the betterment of his people: notable, the Porcupine Health Clinic (the only non government funded clinic in Indian Country) and KILI radio, the first Indian owned radio station. Today, one of his principle goals is the establishment of a Total Immersion School, which is based on a concept created by the Maori people of New Zealand, where children are immersed in the language, culture, science, music and storytelling of their own people. Russell will adapt this total immersion concept to the Indian way of life and philosophy which is taught from a perspective that will nurture a new generation of proud children educated in the context of their own heritage.

Russell Means has devoted his life to eliminating racism of any kind, and in so doing he leaves a historical imprint as the most revolutionary Indian leader of the late twentieth century. An inspirational visionary, Russell Means remains one of the most magnetic voices in America today. Whether leading a protest, fighting for constitutional rights, starring in a motion picture, or performing his ‘rap-ajo’ music, the message he delvers is consistent with the philosophy he lives by, which states:

The Universe which controls all life, has a female and male balance that is prevalent throughout our Sacred Grandmother, the Earth. This balance has to be acknowledged and become the determining factor in all of one’s decisions, be they spiritual, social, healthful, educational or economical.
Once the balance has become an integral part of one’s life, all planning, research, direct action and follow-up becomes a matter of course. The goals that were targeted become a reality on a consistent basis. Good things happen to good People; remember time is on your side.

Mitaku Oyasin (we are all related)

Host: Basima Farhat

Previously Aired On: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - Archive Available Shortly
 

Three decades ago, George Eby’s daughter, Karen, proved to be the unknowing test subject of a remarkable discovery - the cure for the Common Cold. Only 3 years old, Karen had a horrible cold, with a swollen throat which made swallowing difficult. At the time, Karen was taking zinc for treatment for Leukemia (another miraculous story in itself) and being unable to swallow the pill, her father told her she should just let it dissolve in her mouth, which she did. Several hours later, after a nap, young Karen felt so well that she was outside playing.

Thus began George Eby’s quest and decades of research along with professional scientists and doctors into the Zinc cure for the common cold.

Over the years, George Eby has become the world’s leading authority on the only effective common cold treatment - zinc lozenges that release ionic zinc (iZn). He pioneered the subject with his breakthrough 1984 common cold treatment research.

Eby’s ColdCure zinc lozenges use one of the only formulations ever demonstrated in the history of common cold research to reduce dramatically the duration and severity of all common cold symptoms in independent, non-company, double-blind, clinical trials published in peer reviewed medical journals. His 5-gram peppermint flavored ColdCure zinc lozenges release 18.0 mg iZn and they are pleasant tasting but highly astringent - evidence of iZn.

These by findings have been documented in medical journal articles:

Zinc lozenges as cure for common cold: THE LATEST WORD

Wayne State University - Prasad et al. - 2008

Wayne State University - Prasad et al. - 2000

University of Texas - Petrus et al. - 1998

British Medical Research Council Common Cold Unit - Al-Nakib et al. - 1987

University of Texas - Eby et al. - 1984

Additional science.

and

U.S. PATENT 5,409,905 World’s only cure for common cold patent

George Eby believes more chronic diseases are due to certain nutritional deficiencies than one would ordinarily belive, often zinc and magnesium (and in aging, Omega-3 EFAs, taurine, arginine). In brief, if we knew enough about nutrition, we would need few drugs.

Host: Basima Farhat

Previously Aired On: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - Listen to the Show
 

Basima Farhat - host of the The People Speak is awell known poet and peace activist in the Michigan area. She has been invited by numerous organizations for poetry readings within the cultural community, most recently reading in the same venue as Tony Award winning poet Suhair Hamad, sponsored by the Palestine Office a grassroots peace organization that has hosted many political leaders, such as Dr Mustafa Barghouti, Micheal Tarazi, Allison Weir.

Tonight she shares her talent as a writer and poet with our audience who are also invited to join and share their own writing and poetry during this special show.