The Economic Stimulus Package passed at the beginning of the Obama administration gets a mixed review by Heidi Shierholz of the Economic Policy Institute in this interview with the Old Mole's Bill Resnick.  Listen for the full picture.  You can read Shierholz's  report on jobs here.    

In this edition of The Well-read Red, Frann Michel presents an uncompromising defense of the right to an abortion.  To read her piece, go to Frann's blog where you'll find links to her sources and more information.  

The Old Mole's Clayton Morgareidge considers who's really blocking the progressive agenda in Washington.  (Hint: it's not Rush or the GOP.)  This commentary draws on Christopher Hayes's recent article in the Nation, "Naming the Enemy."

Bill Resnick reviews President Obama's speech in Cairo addressed to the Muslim world, drawing on Stephen Weissman's article in Truthout.

Photo: AP

 Koko Taylor, "Queen of the Blues," died last week at the age of 80.  Radical musicologist Brad Duncan talks with Bill Resnick about her life and her impact on the blues.

 Featuring the music of the late blues singer Koko Taylor, this program evaluates the Stimulus Package, argues for full abortion rights for women, identifies the obstacles to progressive legislation, and reviews  Obama's Middle East speech in Cairo.  Your host is Bill Resnick, pictured here.  (Due to a technical glitch, Bill's opening remarks  are omitted.)  Note that we are using new music for our theme.