Welch says he’ll oppose president’s war funding

Congressman Peter Welch says he’s appalled that the Bush Administration is threatening to veto legislation expanding children’s health care programs at the same time that it’s asking Congress to spend an additional 189 billion dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Welch says he’ll definitely vote against the new funding request for the war.

Interview: Sue Montgomery, Desire Munyaneza trial

A war crimes trial resumed in Montreal yesterday after a 3-month hiatus. The case centers around a man named Desire Munyaneza, accused of committing numerous atrocities during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Sue Montgomery is a journalist who has been to Rwanda and is covering the trial for the Montreal Gazette. She spoke with VPR’s Mitch Wertlieb about the case.

Congressional delegation to oppose war allocation

All 3 members of Vermont’s congressional delegation say they’ll strongly oppose President Bush’s plan to allocate another $50 billion for the war in Iraq. But there’s a growing recognition that there may be very little opponents of the war can do to block the additional funding.

Interview: Jackie Calder on Vermont’s Civil War flag collection

The Vermont Historical Society hopes a new federal grant will help preserve a collection of Civil War flags and paintings. The collection has deteriorated so much in recent years that many of the items had to be removed from public view. Jackie Calder is the curator of the Vermont Historical Society. She spoke with VPR’s Mitch Wertlieb and says the flags, some of which were carried into battle during the Civil War, are physical remnants of Vermont’s past.

Congress lobbied to end war

Yesterday dozens of elected officials from cities across the country lobbied Congress for an end to the war in Iraq. Those lobbying included a Vermont state representative from Lincoln.