Talk of the Towns 10/09/09

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne
Topic: Changing Seas-Federal Policy Means Challenges and Opportunities for Maine’s Ground-Fishing Fleet
What is the history, and current state, of ground-fishing in Maine? What have been some of the approaches to federal management of the fisheries? How does “permit banking” work?
Guests: Jen Litteral, Island Institute; Glen Libby, Port Clyde Fisherman’s Association; Will Brune, Nature Conservancy; Aaron Dority, Penobscot East

RadioActive 10/08/09

Producers/Hosts: Meredith DeFrancesco & Amy Browne
Segment 1: Legislation to address abuses of solitary confinement in Maine’s prisons submitted by Rep. Jim Schatz (Blue Hill)
Segment 2: Mainers speaking out against the war in Afghanistan–an upcoming rally in Boston, 10/17/09

After talking with constituents concerned about the abuses of solitary confinement in Maine’s prison system, Jim Schatz, the State Representative for Blue Hill, Brooksville, Castine, Penobscot, Sedgwick and Surry, working with the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition has submitted legislation to address the issue. Representative Schatz is a member of the Legislature’s Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, has a Masters degree in correctional administration, and has taught courses at the University of Colorado in treatment of offenders.
His proposed legislation reads, in part: “[W]hile imprisonment is an accepted punishment for criminal law violations, all persons in state custody are entitled to humane treatment. Solitary confinement is an extreme administrative sanction with the potential to cause severe harm to life and health, particularly for people with mental and physical illnesses and disabilities. Therefore, prolonged solitary confinement shall only be imposed under the most extreme circumstances, when no lesser restraints on liberty are sufficient to achieve its specified limited purposes. Furthermore, its imposition shall be grounded on careful findings of fact, determined in fair proceedings, frequently reviewed and monitored.” , and outlines specific conditions and limitations for it’s use.
Next Thursday, October 15th, leaders in the state legislature will decide if they will allow the bill to be heard in the next session.
FMI
http://www.daapspace.daap.uc.edu/~murphyd4/prisonjustice/index.html (Includes a link to the proposed legislation)
http://www.afsc.org/stopmax/ht/d/ContentDetails/i/33477
http://www.mainepac.org

Lisa Savage of CODEPINK’s Maine Chapter with information about an upcoming rally to end the war in Afghanistan. FMI: http://www.codepink4peace.org/groups.php?area=20

Writers Forum 10/08/09

Producer/Host: Joan Clemons
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne
Topic: Participant’s Poems, Belfast Poetry Festival
What is the Belfast Poetry Festival? How can you participate in the festival? What makes the Belfast Festival different?
Guests: Carl Little (little@myfairpoint.net); Arielle Greenburg (ariellecg@yahoo.com); Linda Buckmaster (lsbuck1@myfairpoint.net)

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 10/08/09

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell
The Electronic Cottage will be marking ten years on the WERU airwaves in January, 2010. Between now and then, we’ll be re-broadcasting a program from each of those ten years to see how much technology and its impact on our lives have changed – and, in some cases, how much they’ve remained the same.
Today, we go back to the year 2000 for a discussion of just what the terms “bits” and “bytes” refer to.

Healthy Options 10/07/09

Producer/Host: Cynthia Swan
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne
Topic: Flu/Vaccines/Immunity
What are the signs and symptoms of seasonal flu and swine flu? What should people know about vaccines? How do you care for yourself if you get the flu?
Guests: Christopher Leroy Maloney, ND (Naturopathatic Doctor), 207-1681 or doctleroymaloney@hotmail.com
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