A tale of two sisters, Tania James's debut novel is set in Kerala and New York City. The family's secrets and eccentricities are revealed as the sister's lives drift apart, marked by betrayal and the lingering sadness of their mother's apparent suicide. James discusses her book, Atlas of Unknowns, the immigrant story, and the meaning of family and place in literature.

Independent media is almost a household name these days. But in 1986 when Fairness And Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) launched most people hadn't heard of anything like it. So what's changed in the last two decades? Has the stranglehold of corporate media been loosened?

For many, like NASA scientist James Hansen who has issued urgent plea after plea for direct action, a cap and trade solution is barely adequate. But even that we are told is probably off the table until sometime in 2010. George Bush was fond of talking about what he called political capital even when he didn’t really have it. The Democrats on the other hand seem unwilling to spend the political capital they have. On healthcare. Housing. Climate and the environment. When it does run out—and it will--they’ll be wishing they’d paid a little more attention to the fierce urgency of now.

What is the future of independent media? We speak to the founders of FAIR. Then, Melvin Van Peelbes on his new graphic novel. And debut novelist Tania James author of Atlas of Unknowns.

Here’s something you may not know. The chairman of the joint-chiefs-of staff Mike Mullen has nearly 5,000 devoted followers on twitter. He sends out tweets about what he’s reading (“The Bookseller of Kabul”), whether Gen. McChrystal is asking for more troops (speculation he says), and the president’s latest podcast, which apparently raised the issue of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (“When law changes, we’ll carry out the law,” he tweeted).

A recent report from the Center for Reproductive Rights reveals that abortion doctors and clinics face continued threats, assaults, and harassment. Are doctors under siege? Dr. Susan Wicklund, author of This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor, on the political climate after the death of Dr. George Tiller and why she's speaking out.

Is it possible that the Obama administration’s attempt to prosecute the crimes of the Bush administration could actually be worse than doing nothing? That’s what Andrew Sullivan concluded in response to an LA Times article suggesting that Holder will prosecute only those who went beyond the parameters outlined by the Bush administration torture memos.

Will Bush officials be held accountable for torture? Scott Horton, Vine Warren, and Vijay Padmanabhan on Holder's planned appointment of a special prosecutor. An interview with Dr. Susan Wicklund on the uncertain future for abortion providers and women's reproductive rights. And Human Rights Watch reports on police brutality in India.

Workers at a wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight have staged a sit in to save their jobs. They've been supported by the local community but the Danish company Vestaplans to shut the plant down, eliminating 45o jobs. Will the workers be able to keep the doors open? Thanks to VisionOntv for the following video.

Need a breath of fresh air? Or a bit of honesty? Bernie Sanders and Brave New Films have teamed up for a series of unfiltered conversations on war, poverty, healthcare, and US foreign policy.