In an in-depth conversation, James Douglass, author of "JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters", spells out his theory that the 35th President was the victim of a murder conspiracy and that he died because of his peacemaking policies. He tracks Kennedy's transformation from a hawkish anti-Communist to someone who helped save the world from nuclear war by establishing back-channel conversations with Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev. Listeners will also hear much of Kennedy's 1963 speech at American University during which he laid out his vision for world peace, less than 6 months before his murder. Paul Ingles hosts. Language Advisory: A film clip includes the characters saying "Those god-damn Kennedys...." about 18:20 into Part A. If you feel it offensive to your listeners, you may edit it out or contact the producer for a version with that clip stripped out. paul@paulingles.com.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, what you might call an independent spin-off from Ken Burns 2014 documentary on The Roosevelts. We consider Teddy, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt through a peace studies lens.  First, some details about the effort that won Teddy Roosevelt the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize, then later we explore the war and peace philosophies of Franklin Roosevelt, and the peace and human rights work of Eleanor Roosevelt.

Our guests are Charles Doleac, a Portsmouth, New Hampshire attorney and expert on The Portsmouth Peace Treaty of 1905.  Also Dr. Allida Black of the George Washington University in Washington, DC and author or editor of many books on Eleanor Roosevelt.

October 9, 2009, United States President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  At his inauguration 9 months earlier he declared a new era for American leadership in promoting peace on the planet, but how likely is it that he'll play the role of peacemaker as president?  During the campaign, he pointed to his early opposition to the war in Iraq, while talking tough on other international fronts.  While he's said it's important for the U.S. to talk to its enemies, he's appointed a Secretary of State in Hillary Clinton who challenged him on that philosophy during the primary campaign.  What in Obama's background suggests that he would be an effective diplomat to bring warring factions together internationally or in Congress over key domestic issues?  On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, host Carol Boss and our guests will explore Barack Obama’s potential as a peacemaker in global and domestic affairs.

Guests include David Mendell, author of the best-selling book Obama: From Promise To Power.  As a former reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Mendell covered Obama’s rise through politics and offers a close-up view of the man’s conflict resolution skill set and history.  Also on the program, Dr. Joseph Gerson, Ph.D., author and director of Programs of the American Friends Service Committee in New England.  Finally, excerpts from a human rights conference put on by the Carter Center in Atlanta December of 2008.   The aim of the two-day conference was to draw up a list of recommendations for the new president related to the struggle for human rights around the world.  We’ll hear from Former President Jimmy Carter and others, and talk with Karin Ryan, director of the Carter Center's Human Rights Program, who organized and moderated the conference.

In the second of a two-part Peace Talks Radio program marking the beginning of the Barack Obama administration in Washington, we broadcast some excerpts from a human rights conference put on by the Carter Center in Atlanta in December of 2008.   The aim of the two-day conference was to draw up a list of recommendations for the new president related to the struggle for human rights around the world.  Former President Jimmy Carter will be heard along with Egyptian human rights defender, Saad Ibrahim, and Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, Larry Cox.   Host Paul Ingles talks with Karin Ryan, director of the Carter Center's Human Rights Program, who organized and moderated the conference.

NOTE: This material is the second half of the Peace Talks Radio hour entitled "Obama As Peacemaker."  The hour-long program can be found at this link: http://www.prx.org/pieces/32832-peace-talks-radio-barack-obama-as-peacemaker-59-

The first half is contained in another half-hour program also called "Obama As Peacemaker."  It can be found at this link: http://www.prx.org/pieces/32920-peace-talks-radio-obama-as-peacemaker-29-00