To the Point

When “Operation Enduring Freedom” expires at the end of this month, America’s 13-year-old war in Afghanistan won’t be over. It will get a new name. With violence and political dysfunction on the increase, “Operation Resolute Support” will keep US troops in combat mission until the end of next year. 

With more states approving the use of marijuana, pot has moved from hippie communes to executive boardrooms. As it becomes big business, will Congress consider lifting the total ban under federal law?

 “Gluten-free” has become a $10 billion industry, but does avoiding gluten really make you healthier? We hear about food fads and new diagnoses.

The mass of conflicting evidence released by prosecutors is feeding heated arguments about how and why Officer Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown last August in Ferguson, Missouri.  But there’s a broader debate about equal access to justice for black Americans.

Ferguson, Missouri erupted last night after a grand jury held that white Officer Darren Wilson’s killing of black teenager Michael Brown was not a crime.  We look at the process, the mountain of evidence and what the incident could mean for the country. 

About half the 11 million illegal immigrants living in the US will be eligible to apply for relief after President Obamas executive order. Who are they? Where do they live? Can public and private agencies handle a massive new workload if it materializes?

Republicans claim the President has created a “constitutional crisis” by exceeding his authority with last night’s executive order to protect five million illegal immigrants from deportation. He says he’s only doing what other presidents have done before. We hear about political eruptions from the White House to Capitol Hill.

The Obama Administration says it’s reviewing its policy of refusing to negotiate with terrorist groups for the return of hostages. The hard line is designed to discourage ISIS and others from seizing Americans.  Is it working? Is paying ransom turning some European countries into ATM’s for terrorist organizations?

The Keystone XL Pipeline failed by one vote last night in the Senate, but there’s no doubt it’s alive to fight another day. Transporting Canadian tar sands oil to the Gulf of Mexico is a major issue in fight over climate change. But, so much has changed during delay over US approval, that the Keystone battle may be more symbolic than real.

Maintaining America’s aging nuclear arsenal requires a perfect safety record.  One mistake could lead to untold destruction.  Is the cost of restoration worth up to a trillion dollars?