Between The Lines

"The U.S. Senate is going to be a decidedly more left-wing chamber than it was in this most recent two-year cycle. ... When you add it all up, it will still be a Democratic-controlled chamber, but the Democrats in it will be decidedly more progressive than the people who served before them."

– John Nichols, The Nation writer, on the gains of Democrats in the Senate

Progressive Gains in U.S. Senate Defy Pundits' Declaration of "Status Quo" Election

Interview with John Nichols, Washington correspondent with the Nation magazine, conducted by Scott Harris

In Wake of Record-Breaking Spending in 2012 Election Campaign, Public May be Ready to Demand Reform

Interview with Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of the group Public Campaign, conducted by Scott Harris

Iran's Civilians Bear Brunt of International Sanctions

Interview with Joy Gordon, professor of law and philosophy at Fairfield University, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

This week’s summary of under-reported news

Compiled by Bob Nixon

• It’s been a year since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his come back, after serving four years as Prime Minister. Putin is now taking a tougher line sparking new protests by Russia’s emerging middle class, tired or corruption and autocratic rule. ("Putin’s tougher second act," Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 15, 2012; "Russian ‘rendition’, Kremlin grabs opposition figure from Ukraine streets," Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 22, 2012; "The enigmatic world of Russia’s political opposition," The Guardian, Oct. 22, 2012)
• For the second time, the federal Defense of Marriage Act was overturned by a federal appeals court as discriminatory towards gays and lesbians. The fate of DOMA may soon rest with the United States Supreme Court. ("US Marriage Act is unfair to gays, court panel says," New York Times, Oct. 18, 2012; "Appeals Court turns back Marriage Act as unfair to gays," New York Times, May 31, 2012)
• ProPublica reports Freddie Mac, the taxpayer owned mortgage giant resisted signing on to the Obama administration’s mortgage refinancing programs, out of fear its would cut into their profits. ("Why Freddie Mac resisted Refis," ProPublica, Oct. 25, 2012)

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