The U.S. job market may be showing signs of life, according to a report issued by the Labor Department on Friday. The unemployment rate dropped in July, something no economist expected. Under the most optimistic interpretation, the news indicates that the worst of the recession is finally behind us.

The Obama administration has said that it wants to create a “truly civil detention system.” Orwellian or earnest? Aarti Shahani founder of Families for Freedom and lead author of the Justice Strategies report, “Local Democracy on ICE” discusses the Obama administration’s plan and the closure of the T. Don Hutto detention center in Texas.

The United States has the highest incarceration rate of any industrialized nation. In the face of an unprecedented economic crisis, some states are beginning to consider reducing their prison populations. But other states are looking to do just the opposite in an effort to create jobs. Today,David Fathi Director of Human Rights Watch’s US Program, Glenn E.

Can the prison industrial complex be curbed? David Fathi of Human Rights Watch and others on prison reform in the United States. Aarti Shahani on the Obama administrations proposed "civil detention system." Orwellian or earnest? And GRITtv footage from a recent tribute to novelist James Baldwin.

The government-sponsored Car Allowance Rebate System, commonly known as “Cash for Clunkers,” burned through $1 billion of funding within a week. Last night, the Senate joined the House in a decision to inject an additional $2 billion into the program before leaving for August recess. But is the overwhelmingly popular program a success or a failure?

Find a hat and discover a new life -- a beautiful new Jordanian film, Captain Abu Raed, is just out and we talk to director Amin Matalqa. If you live in NYC, make sure to catch it at the Angelika on August 14th!

In the headlines this week: Bill Clinton to the rescue! Swift Boaters find a new cause in protesting Obama's healthcare plans. And the President's first 200 days: time for the punditry to declare their verdicts. Talking Points Memo's Andrew Golis, Michael Musto from the Village Voice and Esther Armah from WBAI's Wake Up Call take a look at the coverage of these events - and more - this week.

Last week, the world of American dance suffered a true loss with the passing of Merce Cunningham. In honor of his memory, we wanted to share a short clip of noted avant garde choreographer Elizabeth Streb talking about Merce's work from the series Mondays with Merce. Thank you to Nancy Dalva for making this footage available.

Bill Clinton to the rescue! Swift Boaters find a new cause in protesting Obama's healthcare plans. And the President's first 200 days: time for the punditry to declare their verdicts. The media panel dissects this week's headlines. Followed by a talk with Jordanian director Amin Matalqa on his new film, Captain Abu Raed.

Workers fighting senseless layoffs is something real to be excited about. Here's what's not real: "Stocks open higher after jobless claims report." It says a lot about our society when 550,000 Americans file new unemployment claims -- and traders celebrate.