PLANET ERSTWILD host James Moore talks with one of his favorite people, Amir, the Hair Mechanic, an Iraqi soldier who fought against Iran and following the first Bush War became a political refugee in the early 90s when he revolted against Saddam Hussein. Now a proud American citizen who'd defend this country with his life to protect his home and children, he watches events in the Middle East with a sober, reflective and wary eye. We feature the music of Cliff Hines.

In the second hour, we hear a few words from Dennis Kucinich addressing Congress on the deeper issues underlying the tragic assault on the embassy in Benghazi, Libya. Next up, meet new Fairfield Volunteer Center director Elaine Hughes who talks about the Alliant Hometown Rewards weatherizing workshop this Saturday at 1pm at the public library and much more with Go Green sustainability coordinator Scott Timm.

James shares some quick thoughts about Joel Gilbert whose DVD was going to be shown in Fairfield this weekend but was cancelled. In it, he purports to prove that Obama's real father was a Communist who took pictures of his mother posing like a fetish model, but even FOX Network is not touching this one. He alleges millions of copies are being sent to voters in swing states. No word on who's backing it.

At 4pm, it's our regular weekly segment "Inside the Headlines" with Newsvandal JP Sottile, award-winning journalist/filmmaker. This week we look at the cushy Gucci Gulch world of corporate lobbyism (yes, it's a job that not only pays the bills, it writes them, too!), you are what you--gulp--eat (pig feces in seafood? wish i was making that up), and D-N-A, easy as 1-2-3 (Hit it, Michael Jackson! Supreme Court to rule on self-replicating products? oh my.) Never mind Canada kicking our butts in 1812, obese pets, and Jefferson's dark side. Click "Read more" below.

1. Gucci Gulch
Capitol Assets: Congress’s wealthiest mostly shielded from effects of deep recession
http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/capitol-assets-congresss-wealthiest-mostly-shielded-in-deep-recession/2012/10/06/5a70605c-102f-11e2-acc1-e927767f41cd_story.html
 
Behind the closed doors of Washington lobbyists: 43% Congressmen who left office between 1998-2005 registered as lobbyists
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57527490/behind-the-closed-doors-of-washington-lobbyists
 
This Year, Lockheed Donated to Election Campaigns of 386 of 435 Members of House of Representatives
http://www.allgov.com/news/us-and-the-world/this-year-lockheed-donated-to-election-campaigns-of-386-of-435-members-of-house-of-representatives-121009?news=845900
 
Health Insurance Industry Supports Reform but Gives Bigger Bucks to Opponents
http://www.allgov.com/news/where-is-the-money-going/health-insurance-industry-supports-reform-but-gives-bigger-bucks-to-opponents-121011?news=845919
 
Wells Fargo increases its lobbying efforts
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/10/08/170837/wells-fargo-increases-its-lobbying.html
 
The Cancer Lobby
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/opinion/sunday/kristof-the-cancer-lobby.html
 
Transparency Outsourced as U.S. Hires Vendors for Disclosure Aid
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-09/transparency-outsourced-as-u-s-hires-vendors-for-disclosure-aid.html
 

2. What If You Really Are What You Eat?
Asian Seafood Raised on Pig Feces Approved for U.S. Consumers
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-11/asian-seafood-raised-on-pig-feces-approved-for-u-s-consumers.html
 
Fish in mom's diet may alter kids' behavior
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/345639/title/Fish_in_moms_diet_may_alter_kids_behavior
 
Pesticides blamed by report for illnesses
http://www.sfgate.com/green/article/Report-links-pesticides-and-child-illness-3933168.php
 
Blue And Green Honey Caused By Bees Feeding On M&M's Production Waste
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/04/blue-green-honey_n_1938682.html
 
Food Sickens Millions as Company-Paid Checks Find It Safe
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-11/food-sickens-millions-as-industry-paid-inspectors-find-it-safe.html
 

3. D-N-A, Easy As 1-2-3
UK, Japan scientists win Nobel for stem cell breakthroughs
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/08/us-nobel-medicine-idUSBRE8970AB20121008
 
DNA has a 521-year half-life
http://www.nature.com/news/dna-has-a-521-year-half-life-1.11555
 
Genetic Testing Answers Old Question: Who Do You Think You Are?
http://reason.com/archives/2012/10/09/who-do-you-think-you-are
 
5 Percent Neanderthal and Proud
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/10/neanderthal-me/263372/
 
Citing privacy concerns, U.S. panel urges end to secret DNA testing
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/11/us-usa-geneticprivacy-idUSBRE89A06H20121011
 
Supreme Court to Rule on Patents for Self-Replicating Products
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/10/self-replicating-patents/
 
The Patent, Used as a Sword
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/technology/patent-wars-among-tech-giants-can-stifle-competition.html
 

THIS WEEK IN GOOD NEWS!
Fear of Fracking: Germany Balks on Natural Gas Bonanza
http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/safety-worries-lead-germany-to-shun-fracking-for-natural-gas-a-859446.html
 
Chevron Fails to Squelch $19 Billion Ecuador Verdict
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-09/chevron-fails-to-squelch-19-billion-ecuador-verdict
 
Study: Getting rid of lead does wonders for school performance
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/10/08/study-getting-rid-of-lead-does-wonders-for-school-performance/
 
Capuchin Monkey Rejects Unequal Pay, Goes on Strike
http://www.disinfo.com/2012/10/capuchin-monkey-rejects-unequal-pay-goes-on-strike/
 

ODDS & ENDS:
Women Worldwide Less Confident Than Men in Elections
http://www.gallup.com/poll/157997/women-worldwide-less-confident-men-elections.aspx
 
Killer Lasers One Step Closer
http://blogs.defensenews.com/intercepts/2012/10/killer-lasers-one-step-closer/
 
How the U.S. Is Hurting Innocent People in Iran
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-08/how-the-u-dot-s-dot-is-hurting-innocent-people-in-iran
 
Canada Puts Spotlight on War of 1812, With U.S. as Villain
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/world/americas/canada-highlights-war-of-1812-casting-us-as-aggressor.html
 
The Dark Side of Thomas Jefferson
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/The-Little-Known-Dark-Side-of-Thomas-Jefferson-169780996.html
 
It's hard being a Grammar Nazi. For starters, people call you a Nazi.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/hunterschwarz/why-its-hard-being-a-grammar-nazi
 
Watch Your Tongue: Law Enforcement Speech Recognition System Stores Millions of Voices
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/09/20/speechpro_voicegrid_nation_voice_recognition_software_for_use_by_law_enforcement_.html
 
TV ‘watchdogs’ quiet as political ad cash rolls in
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/08/3036436/tv-watchdogs-quiet-as-political.html
 
Strong Opposition to Aquarium’s Plan to Import Beluga Whales
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/science/earth/strong-opposition-to-aquariums-plan-to-import-beluga-whales.html
 
Half of American Cats and Dogs Are Overweight
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/10/what-are-they-feeding-you-50-of-us-cats-and-dogs-are-overweight/263296/
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