July 1 - The Greek Tragedy Enters the Final Act; Opening Up Cuba While Protecting Its Environment; Republican Voters Reward the Racist Donald Trump in the Latest Polls

Full Program

Part 1

We be begin with the Greek tragedy underway as the Northern European powers squeeze Alexis Tsipris’ left wing Syriza government in a way that Nobel economists Joe Stiglitz and Paul Krugman argue makes no sense from an economic point of view, while the same powers help the right wing government in Ukraine restructure its $125 billion in debts as its economy falls apart. James Henry, a Senior Fellow at Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable International Investment joins us to discuss how the Swiss have refused to help Tsipris, whose government is not responsible for Greece’s debts, find the $100 billion rich Greek tax cheats are hiding.

Part 2

Then with today’s announcement by President Obama that diplomatic relations with Cuba will be fully restored on July 20^th, we look into a potential tsunami of investment from U.S. hotel chains, cruise-ship lines and agribusiness poised to hit the 3,500 miles of pristine beaches, the coral reefs, mangroves and tropical forests with an influx of American tourists and dollars. Daniel Whittle, a lawyer and Senior Director of the Cuba Program at the Environmental Defense Fund, who has over 15 years’ experience working on conservation in Cuba, joins us to discuss growing concerns on the island that economic development has to be balanced with environmental protection.

Part 3

Then finally we speak with Rudolfo Espino, a professor of political science at Arizona State University specializing in American politics, racial politics, and political behavior. He joins us to discuss the latest polls that have Donald Trump in second place nationally and coming in second in Iowa and New Hampshire. We explore why in spite of the widespread condemnation of Trump’s shameful racist remarks, he is apparent gaining in popularity with Republican primary voters.