consumerism

Seven years ago, the U.S. invaded Iraq. We're still there, but attention in the media has largely shifted to Afghanistan, and even Pakistan. It's a complicated story, says Nation contributing editor Christian Parenti, who joins us to look back at seven years of war in Iraq, to look forward at what's next, and at how war keeps us controlled at home.
 
Millions of people hit the streets seven years ago across the world to protest the coming invasion of Iraq. Tea parties (and now coffee parties) seem to be popping up everywhere, and this weekend will see a large-scale march for immigration reform. Just Thursday, Lt. Dan Choi and others marched on the White House for a repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Public protest isn't dead, but those are only a few people in a huge population that suffers all sorts of indignities regularly. Our military budget is outlandish and our freedoms are regularly taken away. What have we traded these for, and why don't more people join the protests? We ask John Kampfner, author of Freedom for Sale, and Vince Warren, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights.
 
Greenpeace has been successful in their campaign to get Dove to save forests in exchange for its palm oil use. Their new target? Nestle.
 
Finally, Laura looks at the way stories are reported--what makes headlines, and what doesn't.