Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'civil'

Federal Bureaucrats Begin 'Burrowing'

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:27:00 EST

With a change in administrations, many political appointees at government agencies will take career jobs, becoming part of the permanent civil service. It's a phenomenon known as "burrowing."

Black Iraqis In Basra Face Racism

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:16:00 EST

Iraqis of African descent in the southern port city of Basra say they're still discriminated against because of the color of their skin. Long relegated to menial jobs or work as musicians and dancers, some have recently formed a group to advance their civil rights.

Update: Key Players In The Tobacco Settlement

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:11:00 EST

The 1998 tobacco case was the largest civil settlement in U.S. history, and it had far-reaching implications for states and tobacco companies. Ten years later, one of the major players in the case is governor of Washington, while another is in a Kentucky prison.

In Your Ear: Vernon Jordan

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Civil rights attorney Vernon Jordan opens his music file and shares what's on his playlist. The former advisor to President Bill Clinton discusses his love for artists Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, Nat King Cole, and Jessye Norman, among others.

Obama's Debt To The 'Moses Generation'

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:41:00 EST

David Remnick, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, discusses Obama's debt to the "Moses generation" of American civil rights leaders — activists who made it possible for Obama to lead his own "Joshua generation."

Violence Rises In Iraq

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:55:00 EST

There's been a recent upsurge of bombing attacks on police patrols and civilians. But it's difficult to gauge how serious the upsurge may be, because U.S. and Iraqi sources give widely differing reports of the casualties.

Revolutionary Group's Return Raises Violence In Peru

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

The Shining Path appears to be re-emerging in Peru. Last month 17 government soldiers and five civilians were killed in the jungle by the group. Guest host Lynn Neary talks with NPR's Juan Forero about the new faces of the Shining Path.

What Path Should Obama Take In Afghanistan...

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Afghan President Hamid Karzai this week called for an end to American airstrikes on Afghan civilians. Barnett Rubin of the Center on International Cooperation talks to host Jacki Lyden about what path President-elect Obama should take in Afghanistan.

Jesse Jackson Jr.: Obama, Civil Rights And Illinois

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:56:00 EST

As his colleagues move to the White House, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Chicago, Ill., could be called on to fill the Senate seat Obama leaves behind. The son of Rev. Jesse Jackson considers Obama's victory and his own political future.

'Pray the Devil': Liberia's Stern, Solid Sisterhood

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST

At the height of a civil war, Liberia's women banded together to help end the violent reign of dictator Charles Taylor. Gini Reticker's vivid documentary proves "the weaker sex" is anything but. (Recommended)

Civil Rights Elder Sees Dream Come True

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:35:00 EST

Dorothy Height began her civil rights career during the Great Depression. Since then, Height has become one of the country's most notable champions of equal rights. Now, at 96 years old, Height reflects on the election of the country's first African American president.

Obama Supporters Could Fix Communities

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Now that Barack Obama has been elected president, there is hope that something can be done about poverty, jobless rate and lower performing schools in minority neighborhoods. Roger Wilkins is a civil rights activist and author. Taylor Branch is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. They discuss with Steve Inskeep how the multi-racial people who volunteered for Obama's campaign can help work to solve the problems in poor communities.

In Our Lifetime: Jesse Jackson, Myrlie Evers-Williams On Obama

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama's historic victory comes on the shoulders of civil rights leaders who fought long and hard Â� and in many cases lost their lives — for equal opportunity in this country. Two who stood on the front lines of that fight — the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., a former presidential candidate, and Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers — react to Obama's victory.

TV Captures Moments In Election Coverage

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:11:00 EST

The mental images are often better on radio but a few scenes Tuesday night could only be appreciated on TV. CNN had contributors weighing is as holograms. Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert, who attempted a presidential run in South Carolina's primary, congratulated the nation on electing its first Hawaiian president. And Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, stood in Chicago's Grant Park with tears streaming down his cheeks.

Civil Rights Hero Proud Of Obama's Victory

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta faced no general election opposition and was re-elected unanimously. Lewis, a civil rights hero, was an ardent Barack Obama supporter. Lewis said Tuesday night "was an unbelievable night."

Refugees In Congo Desperately Need Aid

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:29:00 EST

Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced by fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. U.N. peacekeepers are protecting an aid convoy that's heading to a town in the rebel-held zone of east Congo. The town was captured last week by rebels loyal to renegade Tutsi General Laurent Nkunda, who is participating in the fragile cease-fire.

Congo Crisis Deepens As Rebels Make Gains

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:53:00 EDT

Congo's army has retreated from a rebel advance. The U.N., which has been blamed for not doing enough, has evacuated most of its civilian staff from its regional headquarters in Goma. Jeffrey Gettleman, East Africa Bureau chief for The New York Times, offers his insight.

Civil Treatment Of Pot On Mass. Ballot

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:01:00 EDT

Massachusetts voters will consider a ballot question next month to decriminalize marijuana, making punishable only by civil fine. Advocates say it will help unclog the court system, but opponents say it sends the wrong message to young people and will increase drug use.

As Congo Rebels Advance, Civilians Target U.N.

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:38:00 EDT

Residents of the Congolese city of Goma pelted the U.N. building with stones in protest against what they see as the U.N.'s failure to protect the city from advancing Congolese Tutsi rebels. Four U.N. offices in eastern Congo have been attacked by angry civilians. Michael Kavanagh, a reporter trapped in a U.N. building, offers his insight.

Syria Says U.S. Strikes Within Its Borders

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Syria is calling a deadly U.S. helicopter attack inside its border with Iraq "serious aggression." Syrian officials say eight civilians were killed. The Pentagon has not commented.

Helene Cooper's 'The House At Sugar Beach'

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Journalist Helene Cooper fled her home country of Liberia as a young woman when civil war erupted in 1980. She details the journey that took her back to Liberia, in her memoir The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood. Cooper tells Renee Montagne what it was like to return to Liberia after 23 years.

Seeking Justice For Deaths In Spanish Civil War

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:05:00 EDT

Volunteers are searching for remains of victims from the Spanish Civil War in an effort to bring posthumous justice to those who were killed in the 1930s conflict. Time is against them, as there are few remaining survivors who remember what actually happened.

Balancing Regional, U.S. Interests In Pakistan

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:15:00 EDT

Pakistan's new civilian government, led by President Asif Ali Zardari is struggling to strike a balance between the desires of his people and Parliament, and his professed alliance with the U.S., which provides Pakistan with millions of dollars of military aid.

Court to Hear Appeals In Landmark Tobacco Case

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:29:00 EDT

A federal appeals panel hears oral arguments in the Clinton-era case accusing the tobacco industry of violating civil racketeering laws by defrauding the public about the deadly nature of cigarettes. A district court ruled for the government, but not for the remedy sought. Both sides appealed.

Race Issue Flares Again In Presidential Campaign

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:08:00 EDT

The issue of race that has been simmering throughout the presidential campaign. It came up again over the weekend as civil rights icon and Democractic Congressman John Lewis issued a statement decrying what he called the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign.