Sound Off with Sasha

Muslim Engagement in the 21st Century / Possibility of Attacking Iran

Thursday, 02 February 2012

What is the United States’ approach to engagement with Muslims around the world? 

Appointed as Special Representative to Muslim Communities, Farah Pandith of the State Department, talks about her mission, describing “Muslim Engagement in the 21st Century”. 

She works on delivering people-to-people contact to Muslim communities in the more than 50 countries she visited, and reports directly to Secretary Hillary Clinton. 

Also, discussing the escalating possibility of attacking Iran, is Former Assistant Secretary of Defense, Dr. Lawrence Korb, a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and a Senior Adviser to the Center for Defense Information. 

Will the American public support a new war? Will the calm voices of diplomacy prevail?

Separation of Church and State

Friday, 27 January 2012

The framers of the US Constitution crafted the separation of church and state, guaranteeing religious liberty for everyone. The phrase “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion”, called the establishment clause, was written in 1789, and ratified in 1791. It required the government to maintain neutrality toward religion and prohibited it from declaring and financially supporting a national religion.

What exactly are the rules and limitations of the establishment clause?

How does it apply to laws based on religion?

Can the government finance faith based programs or institutions?

Rev. Barry Lynn. Executive Director of Americans United for the Separation of State and Church talks about his observations, -- together with Dr. Joel Hunter, Senior Pastor of Northland Church, a congregation of 15,000 at four sites in Central Florida. He is a spiritual advisor to President Obama.

Steven Burg - Russia-U.S. Relations

Friday, 20 January 2012

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States became the sole super power in the world. How did Russia make the transition?

Was Vladimir Putin the right man for the time, providing stability and economic growth for the country? Do Russians think it’s time for change?

Steven Burg, Adlai Stevenson Professor of International Politics at Brandeis University, examines the developments in Russia and the meaning of the recent public demonstrations.

What’s ahead for Russia, and for Russian-US relations?

The Legislation of Reproductive Rights

Friday, 13 January 2012

Since the historic 1973 Supreme Court’s decision making abortion legal, the anniversary of Roe v Wade does not go unnoticed.

This year, already, several Florida Legislators filed anti-abortion bills, and under-scored by the Republican presidential debates, candidates agreed in their determination to overturn Roe v Wade, and stop making payments to Planned Parenthood.

Reflecting on Roe v Wade from a unique perspective is Attorney Sarah Weddington, who at age 26 argued the case before the Supreme Court, and is believed to be the youngest person to win a Supreme Court Case.

Char Wendel, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood in Collier County, talks about the need to continue providing family planning, cancer screening and other vital health services to low income women.

Also, Florida State Representative Charles Van Zent (R), talks about his bill, HB 1151, that bans abortions, with no exception for rape or incest, except to save the life of the mother. Performing an abortion would be a felony, punishable with life in prison.

How will women respond to having their reproductive rights legislated? 

Neil MacFarquhar - The Arab Spring

Friday, 06 January 2012

Ever since the young Tunisian man set himself on fire in protest, the world has been watching the outbreak of public demonstrations that spread across the region, and became known as the “Arab Spring”. 

Three countries, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have overthrown their governments, - what’s the outlook for Syria? 

Returning from Damascus, Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times United Nations Bureau Chief puts in perspective the latest developments in the changing Middle East. 

He grew up in Libya, and spent more than 25 years in the region, serving five years as Cairo Bureau Chief for the New York Times, and seven years as Correspondent for the Associated Press, reporting from Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Cyprus. 

He speaks Arabic and French, and is the author of The Media Relations Department of Hizbollah Wishes You a Happy Birthday: Unexpected Encounters in the Changing Middle East and The Sand Café, a Novel. 

Will the Arab Spring continue to bear fruit?

Encore: Animal-Based Testing / Dog Racing and HB1145

Friday, 30 December 2011

With continuous advances in scientific discoveries, medical science today can conduct improved, animal-cruelty-free medical research. Discussing alternatives to using animal based research is Dr. John Pippin, Senior Medical and Research Advisor for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Also, reporting from Tallahassee on the rejuvenated legislative effort of GREY2K, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cruelty of dog racing, is the group’s President and Legal Counsel. 

Brian Katulis - Turning the Page in Iraq / Lorna Tychostup

Friday, 23 December 2011

President Obama’s plan of ending the nearly nine year old war and removing US troops from Iraq, was supported by 77% of Americans, according to a CNN Poll.

What have we accomplished, and what lies ahead?

Sharing their thoughts:

Middle East Expert Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at American Progress, on his article “Turning the Page in Iraq”.

Photo journalist, writer, Iraq consultant  Lorna Tychostup, who first reported from Iraq prior to the US invasion. Her continued reportage of Iraq and its people, on the environmental conditions, the socio-economic development and reconstruction efforts has appeared in major publications.


Image courtesy Lorna Tychostup

Jeff Ashton “Imperfect Justice – Prosecuting Casey Anthony”

Friday, 16 December 2011

Following the “not guilty” verdict of Casey Anthony related to the death of her child, most people say they felt incredulous, shocked, outraged and even angry.

What happened?

Was the prosecution ill-prepared? Was the defense brilliant? Was the jury deliberative? Was the death penalty a mistake? – Was she actually not guilty?

Sharing his thoughts is Retired Prosecutor Jeff Ashton, author of “Imperfect Justice – Prosecuting Casey Anthony”

Move to Amend / Ronda Robinson

Thursday, 08 December 2011

“Move to Amend” is a steadily growing movement, spreading across the nation, whose motto is “Corporations are Not People” and “Money is Not Speech”.

This week, in a ground breaking move, the Los Angeles City Council voted 11-0 to abolish Corporate Personhood in their jurisdiction, and others in Vermont and Colorado, are expected to follow.

Discussing the goals of Move to Amend, and how to achieve them, are national Spokesperson David Cobb, who is making public appearances across Florida, and Kindra Muntz, president of SAFE, Sarasota Alliance for Safe Elections, a member organization of Florida Move to Amend. – David Cobb is the 2004 Green Party Presidential Candidate, and an advocate for the causes of Democracy.



Next, we have a participant in the 17th Annual Jewish Book Fair, Ronda Robinson, author of “Beyond Politics, Inspirational People of Israel”. The book is a collection of stories depicting a diverse group of individuals from all walks of lives, living today in Israel.

Virtual Education

Friday, 02 December 2011

Education is the key to success, but is virtual education the ultimate solution?

Florida is at the forefront of promoting education reform by introducing and legislating the use of virtual education. Now for profit virtual schools are cropping up.  

Will laptops replace teachers? Will taxpayers pay for privatizing public education ?

Investigative reporter Lee Fang talks about his Nation Magazine report “How Online Learning Companies Bought America’s Schools”, with plans to offer full time virtual instructions across the nation, paid for by state tax dollars,

Is virtual education the best avenue for teaching children, or the best revenue for the for- profit K-12 education industry that Rupert Murdoch described as “a $500 billion sector in the US alone that is waiting desperately to be transformed”

Also, - from an educator’s perspective, virtual education expert  Dr. Cathy Cavanaugh, comments on the effective use of online and blended education through technology. 

She is Associate Professor of Education Technology at the University of Florida, where she teaches instructional design and distance education.