Pam Thompson's blog

Austin News Real’s Pam Thompson interviews filmmaker Matthew Gossage about the film “Hutto: America's Family Prison” that he co-produced with Lily Keber in 2007. The film airs on the program. The T Don Hutto Residential Facility, located in Taylor, Texas - 20 miles northeast of Austin - holds men, women (some pregnant), children, and infants, none of whom have a criminal past. Administered by the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the country's largest for-profit corrections company, Hutto lacks proper licensing and medical facilities, and has been proven to traumatize families.

This episode of Austin News Real focuses on the shifting definition and meaning of torture, a trend that has accelerated with the Bush administration’s so-called war on terror. Pam Thompson’s guests are Dr. Jill Flores and Jim Harrington.

Jenny Clark and Karen Renick of Vote Rescue introduce Austin News Real viewers to the many problems associated with electronic voting and spotlight a new book on the subject titled “Hacked: High Tech Election Theft in America.” More information about Vote Rescue can be found at www.voterescue.org. For information on the book Hacked and how to buy it, see www.hackedelections.com.

Bill Oliver and his Pirate friend entertain and promote the Mother Earth Festival set for May 9, 2008. Seven years ago Bill Oliver had a vision to bring music, puppet shows, murals, interactive booths with games, art, environmental interaction, local wildlife, and youngsters together to create Mother Earth Day at the Springs. This would be an "earth day" specifically for and about Barton Springs, Barton Creek, and this special watershed in and around Austin. For details on the Mother Earth Festival see www.billolivermusic.com.

Austin News Real covers the Million Musicians March for Peace that marched through downtown Austin on Saturday, March 15, 2008. Performance at Austin City Hall plaza featured Carolyn Wonderland and Guy Forsyth, as well as poetry from Liz Carpenter. Instruments For Peace is a network of musicians who apply much-needed talents and skills in support of peace, justice and sustainability worldwide. Details on the Million Musicians March for Peace and the group Instruments for Peace can be found at: www.instrumentsforpeace.org.